Realistic for two 13 year olds to make it from security to gate alone at airport?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a huge "let the kids do it, don't helicopter parent kids" type parent but honestly, this would make me uncomfortable because I had a horrible experience flying as a 13 yo.

I know you said the flight is nonstop, but things happen and flights change.

When I was 13, I was flying to CA with a layover in Chicago. There were terrible storms and the flight got delayed hours and then eventually cancelled. I was totally stranded. The airline gave out vouchers for hotels but since I was 13, I obviously couldn't check into a hotel by myself. They had no idea what to do with me. Eventually the person who had been checking in on me stopped doing that and I just sat there all night. I was terrified to fall asleep because there were so many strangers around but I was beyond exhausted. This was pre-cell phones, too. It was a fluster cluck and the #1 reason why I'm still not comfortable letting my kids fly alone before age 16.

That's a terrible story! So sorry for you!

That being said, I would probably take my chances and just make my kid navigate the airport on the way out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of course! I'd feel like a failure of a parent if my children couldn't do this by about age 11!

Go over with your kid at what point they should ask for help, and how to find appropriate people to ask for help.

So your 11yo has navigated an unfamiliar airport by themselves? My son flies unaccompanied all the time, he's 13 and has been flying alone since 9, but no way would I be comfortable with someone dropping him off at the security line, in an unfamiliar airport, and him finding his gate and boarding by himself.

Most airlines require that until 15 the child is accompanied to the gate by a parent/approved person and that person waits until the plane is wheels up.

Yes, here's how I teach this: we walk into the airport, and I say "Okay, you tell me what to do from now until the plane takes off. Every step of the way." They think it's fun to get to order me around, to say things to me that I've said to them and to be in charge. We generally start doing this around age 7, and so by 11 they can absolutely figure their way around an unfamiliar place. And they are comfortable getting a little lost, figuring out how to get unlost, finding the right people to ask for help, etc.

Another thing to do when they are older is to make them learn how to buy or change their own plane ticket. I did this so my kids could get home from college if anything happened to us while they were away.

[Anonymous]

I’d say a 13 year old should be perfectly fine BUT if anything goes wrong it’s going to be a mess. I’m a very seasoned traveler and got stuck in Tampa last weeks due to delays and ultimately a cancellation with not flights (or hotels) available until the next day. I was able to get rebooked but it was very stressful (flights were full and the gate agent had to overbook the flight to get me a confirmed seat). A 13 year old would not be able to do this and if I’d had to call to rebook it would have been many hours before I was able to speak to someone. I’d say in normal times this shouldn’t be an issue at all but right not seems like air travel is chaotic and completely unreliable.

[Anonymous]

I would let them do it. They should be able to navigate the airport. I would just make sure that they know not to separate for any reason and talk to the camp about what happens if the flight is canceled and they have to stay overnight. Will the camp pick them up and let them stay there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I fly out of DIA a lot. You will need to prep them for the trolly system to the right terminal, etc. It's a really big airport. My kids are great travelers and I don't think I would let my 12yo do it alone, but maybe with a fellow camper.

This. DIA is a big airport (with a tram) and the last time I was there lots of construction (which only makes it harder to navigate). Also, I'd be worried about my kid's time management. Like, I'm going to get a water and go to the bathroom and oh, this Chick Fil A line isn't going to take 45 minutes (scrolling through phone, doesn't notice the time). I guess you can mitigate that last part by calling to make sure they are at the gate, but my kids aren't great at time awareness.

Can the airline provide an escort for a fee?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just to update. My 13 year old son and his friend were easily able to manage getting dropped off at security and made it to their gate, onto the plane, then to baggage claim when their flight landed. So I am glad we didn’t pay extra for an escort or fly to get them in Denver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Just to update. My 13 year old son and his friend were easily able to manage getting dropped off at security and made it to their gate, onto the plane, then to baggage claim when their flight landed. So I am glad we didn’t pay extra for an escort or fly to get them in Denver.

Great to hear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dont the airlines require an airline escort at that age? You have to arrange when making the flight reservation.

I actually TRIED to pay United to escort my 13 year old son from an international flight through Passport Control and to his flight in Houston and they wouldn't. The only choice was to have him on his phone with us the entire time. He had to end up hanging up and running to catch his flight after a long line at Passport. United DID however confirm that he made it on the flight.

[Anonymous]

My kids could definitely do this. Even my 11 year old. Frequently on trips I quiz them on “where do we go now?” “Which gate are we? Etc. But they have flown 4-5 times a year since birth.