BWI- Can I walk my son to his gate if I’m not traveling?

[Anonymous]

I’m putting my 15 year old son on a flight alone out of BWI next month. He asked me the same question, OP. He’d like me to get a gate pass - I’m thinking about it.

My kid has flown half a dozen times, but it has been three years since he was last on a plane. That is a super long time in the life of a kid! He’s forgotten how it all works.

OF COURSE he’ll figure it out if I just drop him off. But it’s not a bad thing to make sure our teen boys know it’s okay to ask for support, help, and emotional comfort. Heaven knows they need it.

And I’m laughing at the idea that it’s a burden to wait an hour for your kid to take off before leaving. I’m sending my kid to a sports camp on the plane. I spend most evenings waiting an hour or two for my son at practices and games. I like to read, and I like him, so it’s all good.

[Anonymous]

Originally I was surprised at the OP.

After her last update, I would consider flying with him.

Not seeing a parent since he was 11!!! And needing to FT to recognize their face?

I would consider a hotel down the street from my ex. Just for this first ‘get to know you trip.’

This whole thing is a little sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I knew that were a lot of nasty people on DCUMs but why are you so nasty? He has never flown alone and hasn’t flown more than 2-3 times in his life. Not everyone has money to fly their kids around on their own. He asked me if I was coming to the gate and I had no idea if it was allowed. Thanks to those who answered the question without being a jerk.

But how is he going to learn to fly on his own if you don’t let him figure it out. By the time I was 18 I was backpacking through Europe alone. As a millennial female. One time I bought a train ticket to the wrong city in Poland and had to get a new ticket without speaking a lick of Polish. Drop him off early enough for him to fix it if he screws up and let him learn.

You are a bad person.

At least I’m not OP’s ex JFC

But yeah no I stand by what I said.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I knew that were a lot of nasty people on DCUMs but why are you so nasty? He has never flown alone and hasn’t flown more than 2-3 times in his life. Not everyone has money to fly their kids around on their own. He asked me if I was coming to the gate and I had no idea if it was allowed. Thanks to those who answered the question without being a jerk.

But how is he going to learn to fly on his own if you don’t let him figure it out. By the time I was 18 I was backpacking through Europe alone. As a millennial female. One time I bought a train ticket to the wrong city in Poland and had to get a new ticket without speaking a lick of Polish. Drop him off early enough for him to fix it if he screws up and let him learn.

You are a bad person.

At least I’m not OP’s ex JFC

But yeah no I stand by what I said.

Are you sure? Your not as bad as OP’s Ex. I feel like you are.

[Anonymous]

This thread is so DCUM.

OP asks simple question. A few reply with an actual answer, while most put on their judge robes and criticize.

OP feels compelled to explain backstory and give details.

DCUM says ohhhhh well that's different...

[Anonymous]

OP here. I got a gate pass and we went to get some food near his gate. Then I got a text that his flight was canceled. No more flight tonight to his destination. We are back home now. I'm glad I waited. Travel this summer looks like it is going to suck for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I got a gate pass and we went to get some food near his gate. Then I got a text that his flight was canceled. No more flight tonight to his destination. We are back home now. I'm glad I waited. Travel this summer looks like it is going to suck for everyone.

Sorry to hear that- I was someone earlier who advised against waiting for a potential cancellation, mea culpa on that one. Hope it works out tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I got a gate pass and we went to get some food near his gate. Then I got a text that his flight was canceled. No more flight tonight to his destination. We are back home now. I'm glad I waited. Travel this summer looks like it is going to suck for everyone.

Sorry to hear that- I was someone earlier who advised against waiting for a potential cancellation, mea culpa on that one. Hope it works out tomorrow.

He's not able to go tomorrow or any day this week. I hope he can be rebooked next weekend.

[Anonymous]

Can you classify him as an unaccompanied minor and have the airline look after him? I’m sure he’ll be fine. I flew by myself starting at 9 and switched planes by myself at 15. This was when there were no phones. I’m sure he’ll be okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I got a gate pass and we went to get some food near his gate. Then I got a text that his flight was canceled. No more flight tonight to his destination. We are back home now. I'm glad I waited. Travel this summer looks like it is going to suck for everyone.

Sorry to hear that- I was someone earlier who advised against waiting for a potential cancellation, mea culpa on that one. Hope it works out tomorrow.

He's not able to go tomorrow or any day this week. I hope he can be rebooked next weekend.

Wait what???? Where is he flying that there aren't any seats available for a week? I know flights are full but that doesn't make sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I got a gate pass and we went to get some food near his gate. Then I got a text that his flight was canceled. No more flight tonight to his destination. We are back home now. I'm glad I waited. Travel this summer looks like it is going to suck for everyone.

Sorry to hear that- I was someone earlier who advised against waiting for a potential cancellation, mea culpa on that one. Hope it works out tomorrow.

He's not able to go tomorrow or any day this week. I hope he can be rebooked next weekend.

Wait what???? Where is he flying that there aren't any seats available for a week? I know flights are full but that doesn't make sense.

I can't take him to the airport this week. I'm working overtime and we live over an hour from the airport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People, raise your f’king kids anyway you want and let OP raise her kid anyway she wants. Don’t be nasty bit*hes.

Seriously. People here are such jerks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I got a gate pass and we went to get some food near his gate. Then I got a text that his flight was canceled. No more flight tonight to his destination. We are back home now. I'm glad I waited. Travel this summer looks like it is going to suck for everyone.

Sorry to hear that- I was someone earlier who advised against waiting for a potential cancellation, mea culpa on that one. Hope it works out tomorrow.

He's not able to go tomorrow or any day this week. I hope he can be rebooked next weekend.

Wait what???? Where is he flying that there aren't any seats available for a week? I know flights are full but that doesn't make sense.

I can't take him to the airport this week. I'm working overtime and we live over an hour from the airport.

Uber.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I’m thinking practically. We live a good hour or so from the airport. If I just drop him off and go home and his flight was canceled, I’d have to turn around and go back to pick him up. That’s a lot of gas money wasted that I don’t have. I could just sit in the airport before security and wait until he takes off or I could go sit and wait with him. Sitting with my teenager doesn’t mean I’m a helicopter mom or he’s immature. If he still wants to sit with his mom at his age, I’ll do it and enjoy the time.

You go, mom. I have a 17 yr old too and he likes spending time with me. You must have a great relationship with your son that he likes to hang with you! Even though you are thinking practically, it is wonderful that your son knows that you are there incase he needs you to give him a ride back. This kind of security from parents is what are children need in these crazy times.

Don't take offense when the DCUM nasties who call you a helicopter mom. Most of these people have children who can't stand them. These children would have fared better being raised in an orphanage.

Oh come on

I am extremely close with my mom, and yet I went to overnight camp starting when I was 8, and volunteered with a community service company in Asia during summers in high school. That entailed a lot of independent air travel to/from Asia. I lived in Russia for a semester in college — not exactly an easy experience, but I learned a ton.

My parents were always there for me, but I also learned how to be independent. It is actually possible to accomplish both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I got a gate pass and we went to get some food near his gate. Then I got a text that his flight was canceled. No more flight tonight to his destination. We are back home now. I'm glad I waited. Travel this summer looks like it is going to suck for everyone.

Sorry to hear that- I was someone earlier who advised against waiting for a potential cancellation, mea culpa on that one. Hope it works out tomorrow.

He's not able to go tomorrow or any day this week. I hope he can be rebooked next weekend.

Wait what???? Where is he flying that there aren't any seats available for a week? I know flights are full but that doesn't make sense.

I can't take him to the airport this week. I'm working overtime and we live over an hour from the airport.

Uber.

An Uber to the airport over an hour away is a bit out of my budget.