Would you let your six year old fly unaccompanied?

[Anonymous]

No, I would not and I'm a million mile flyer and work for an airline, so I am actually NOT worried about the kid getting lost. I just think it's too young.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks for all of the great feedback. We've discussed it and decided to wait before we let him fly alone. I think we'll discuss it again around 8 or so. The question about diverted flights really concern me and I don't think my son would handle that scenario well. My mom will fly here to pick him up and I'll fly there to retrieve him.

OP I'd love to know which side of this discussion you were originally on. You said that you and your DH were "at odds" about it.

FWIW, I have a 5.5 year old and an 8 year old and I absolutely think you made the right decision. There is no way I'd let either of my kids -- even both of them together -- fly alone. I travel too much on business and have had too many weird incidents with fellow passengers, as well as too many flight delays, etc. to even consider it.

[Anonymous]

I wonder which important scenario would warrant the option of sending a 6yo child to fly on their own. They're not even allowed to be left alone at home!!!! How can you think it's ok to send them away like that?

Are you too busy that you can't even fly with your child? Poor kid!

[Anonymous]

My first thought was never!

But honestly? It'd depend on my child's maturity and comfort level. If my child felt comfortable doing it, I'd probably consider it. I'd definitely make sure the first attempt was a short, direct flight and the child was well prepared though.

Of all the forms of public transit a child could take alone, the plane would cause me the least concern.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who does this or considers this is not a good parent, in my opinion. Too many things could go wrong and the child could be very scared and alone.

[Anonymous]

Even for a 1 hour flight? I never was diverted in all my years of flying so I don't see the risk. A quick flight from say DC to NY or even Boston has so many flights per day that I wouldn't be to worried about it. DC is almost 8 and we are considering it for this summer.

[Anonymous]

My oldest will turn 9 before this summer and we have been considering this for a two-hour direct flight to Florida. 6 is too young for me.

[Anonymous]

Is the 6 yr old already an experienced flyer? Mature for his age? If the child is timid/easily scared then no. Definitely not if he has never flown before. But if he's mature enough and not easily scared, maybe it would be ok. Totally depends on his personality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone who does this or considers this is not a good parent, in my opinion. Too many things could go wrong and the child could be very scared and alone.

So since OP considered this, she's not a good parent? Should we shun her now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had to sit next to an unaccompanied six year old and it was hell. I needed the plane time to prepare for a presentation when I landed. He kept talking to me and demanding attention. [/quote

I've sat next to grown adults that kept talking to me and demanding attention. There's no guarantee of who you are going to sit next to on a plane. Just like with an adult, you can tell the child that you're not able to chat because you have important work to do---and then ignore him if he continues to chat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had to sit next to an unaccompanied six year old and it was hell. I needed the plane time to prepare for a presentation when I landed. He kept talking to me and demanding attention.

I've sat next to grown adults that kept talking to me and demanding attention. There's no guarantee of who you are going to sit next to on a plane. Just like with an adult, you can tell the child that you're not able to chat because you have important work to do---and then ignore him if he continues to chat.

[Anonymous]

Nope, I wouldn't, at least not for my shy 7 year old who wouldn't be able to ask for help.

OP -- let me guess, it's DH's parents? DH doesn't want to tell them no and to you it's not worth the risk?

[Anonymous]

Yes. I flew alone for the first time when I was 4. My parents told the airline I was 5. I guess it just depends on the kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had to sit next to an unaccompanied six year old and it was hell. I needed the plane time to prepare for a presentation when I landed. He kept talking to me and demanding attention.

I've sat next to grown adults that kept talking to me and demanding attention. There's no guarantee of who you are going to sit next to on a plane. Just like with an adult, you can tell the child that you're not able to chat because you have important work to do---and then ignore him if he continues to chat.

I did eventually ignore him and he started to cry and loudly declared over and over that I didn't like people of his race.

I've never been able to not shut up an adult and I've never felt guilty about not talking to an adult. This kid was distraught and I felt horrible.

[Anonymous]

I guess it depends on the child. My kids started flying by themselves at age 7 when they were able to read and occupy themselves for the flight. Either my husband or I takes them to the gate and watches them board. We wait for the plane to leave. On the other end (either Chicago or Manchester), a grandparent picks them up at the gate.