Putting Kids On a Plane Alone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe the answers you are getting to your question OP. I would NEVER send a 6 year old on a flight by him/herself! OMG. NEVER except in the case that our country was taken over by terrorists and I was sending my 6 year old to safety.

I wouldn't send my 9 year old either. Flights can be scary, they get delayed or diverted. People on flights can be scary or rude. I will not buy tickets on a flight unless I can sit in the same row as my children -- I'll pay for a higher priced flight where there are enough seats together or we just won't go.

My kids have flown many times, but they don't want to sit by strangers. They sometimes have to be reminded not to disturb nearby passengers. They wouldn't know what to do in an emergency.

Wow. I am really shocked that some of you think it's no big deal to put a six year old on a plane.

I'm shocked that you haven't found a way to stuff them back into your womb.

No need- I'm sure she was retrofitted with a marsupial pouch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check with the camp on how they handle airport departures. If they have a good percentage of kids flying, they probably have a great system in place. The camp my DD will go to next summer had a great system 30 years ago when I was a camper, and it has probably gotten even better.

The airlines have done this before and have a ton of rules and processes to make it work. Each airline is a little different, and they have their rules posted on their websites. This is what I learned when putting my 8 yr old on a flight this last weekend:

* I had to buy the ticket over the phone, not online.
* There was a $100 each way fee, which you can pay when you buy the ticket, or when you get your gate pass.
* You have to show up at least 90 minutes before flight time to get the adult gate pass and all the paperwork.
* Only one adult is allowed through security on each end.
* The person at the arrival end also needs to be there 90 minutes ahead of arrival to get a gate pass and through security.
* I could not get on the plane with her, but saw her go down the jetway. They gave us the choice of first or last to board.
* I was required to wait at the gate until the plane was off the ground.
* Connecting flights have additional rules and age limits.
* They seat unaccompanied minors close to the flight attendants, so if they need anything, someone is close by.

I just had this identical experience with United. Very professional, safe, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I cannot believe the answers you are getting to your question OP. I would NEVER send a 6 year old on a flight by him/herself! OMG. NEVER except in the case that our country was taken over by terrorists and I was sending my 6 year old to safety.

I wouldn't send my 9 year old either. Flights can be scary, they get delayed or diverted. People on flights can be scary or rude. I will not buy tickets on a flight unless I can sit in the same row as my children -- I'll pay for a higher priced flight where there are enough seats together or we just won't go.

My kids have flown many times, but they don't want to sit by strangers. They sometimes have to be reminded not to disturb nearby passengers. They wouldn't know what to do in an emergency.

Wow. I am really shocked that some of you think it's no big deal to put a six year old on a plane.

Hahaha! You are crazy.

[Anonymous]

I would send either of my kids (6 and 8) but I wouldn't send them together - they act way worse together than they ever do alone! We're in the Foreign Service and I'm actually planning to put my 8 year-old on a plane alone to go visit grandparents next year (he'll be almost 9). I think it'll be great for all of us!

[Anonymous]

I was travellng alone at age six and once even had to change flights (12). They know all the Stranger rules and you will win powerball before plane goes down. You are teaching them independence.

[Anonymous]

We have friends who were sending their kids alone (together) at 4 and 6 years of age, from US to Europe. They go every summer to stay with their grandparents. Other friends do that too, though their kids were a few years older before they did it alone.