Would you let your six year old fly unaccompanied?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you let your six year old take a two hour unaccompanied direct flight to visit grandparents? My husband and I are at odds about this. Thoughts?

No way. Not even a close question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Every kid is different. My kid would offer you some of her snacks, make a stranger-danger joke about you offering her some candy, ask a few questions about you and where you're going and why, and take a hint if you tried to shut her up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hell to the no...what of the plane is diverted? Then you're relying on absolute strangers to get your kid off the plane, shuffle them through an airport, rebook their flight, and get them to a new flight?

It happened to me with a 6 year old. The plane was supposed to land to DCA, diverted to Dulles; a lot of people got off the plane there, but my car was at DCA, so I stayed. I called the girl's mom, told her she was safe, and stayed with her on the plane until mom arrived to pick her up. She was a little scared at first, but we ended up having a nice conversation, and she played games on my phone. I felt like the flight attendants almost ignored her.

[Anonymous]

My DD's 8 & 6 could absolutely fly by themselves to visit my brother (90 minute plane ride). They would think it was a cool adventure. My problem is that I would be a complete basket case thinking the plane would crash and I would never see my babies again. So, I'm the problem not them.

I think the airlines have it down to a science but I also wouldn't send my DD's very far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hell to the no...what of the plane is diverted? Then you're relying on absolute strangers to get your kid off the plane, shuffle them through an airport, rebook their flight, and get them to a new flight?

It happened to me with a 6 year old. The plane was supposed to land to DCA, diverted to Dulles; a lot of people got off the plane there, but my car was at DCA, so I stayed. I called the girl's mom, told her she was safe, and stayed with her on the plane until mom arrived to pick her up. She was a little scared at first, but we ended up having a nice conversation, and she played games on my phone. I felt like the flight attendants almost ignored her.

This is why I wouldn't do this. And for those who flew solo when they were kids, things are different now. Airlines are different now.

[Anonymous]

Yes, my daughter has been flying by herself since she was 5. It depends upon the airline. Jet Blue is very good and very responsible. Southwest was ok.

[Anonymous]

I would not do it. United no longer has US call centers-after the Continental merger it all goes to India. Have had bad experiences with ticketing etc. Delays, turbulence, large airports, and a potentially uncooperative child or an emergency.

I wonder why the child had no cell phone?

The only way I'd consider it is if there was no stops and arrival at a small airport.

[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.

I'm the parent who sent their kid at 7. Am I OK, since I waited for a birthday? Or am I still a bad parent.

Am I worse that parents who just consider it (which includes you, by the way, as you clearly read the title, thought about it and made a decision that you would not do it, pretty much text book "considering" it) or are we equally bad?

[Anonymous]

I don't think I would do it at 6, especially alone. If flying with older responsible siblings I might consider it.

I would consider it at 8, depending on the flight and how mature my child is.

[Anonymous]

My 6 y.o? Absolutely NOT! Would not even consider doing so.

[Anonymous]

Not too long direct flight -- put DC on and have GM meet her, sure. With a change, no. Give her your cell phone and alert the airline. Where is she going to go during the flight? Is she afraid of airplanes? Most young kids do not know to be afraid of airplanes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The people that are saying "No" or "Never" must be the same people asking if it's okay for their kid to ride a bus at 14 or watch South Park at 15.

Or people who seldom fly themselves and get all worked up about it.

Fly often and that has nothing to do with having my 6 yo fly alone. You are free to do that with your child if you care to.

[Anonymous]

NO WAY!

What parent doesn't have the time to take their child to gradnma's house should review their priorities.

[Anonymous]

I totally don't judge other parents who do this - my husband and I discuss this often and he thinks we should do it. We have a 6 year old and he actually wants to put her on a transatlantic direct flight. I can not imagine doing this though. Perhaps by 9 or 10, depending on the child... I keep thinking about stuff happening, and I won't be there to comfort my child...Just thinking about it freaks me out. But then again I also worry about her getting on the bus to go to school every day, so I definitely don't think I have the right attitude either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NO WAY!

What parent doesn't have the time to take their child to gradnma's house should review their priorities.

Some people don't have the money. Some people can only earn more money if they don't have to worry about childcare. I sent my DD to grandpa for 3 months, and while she was there I worked 70-75 hours a week. I never could have done that if she'd been home with me. Grandpa is on a fixed income and could only afford to pay for a ticket one way. So he paid for one and I paid for one. What, now you want to try to tell me I shouldn't have kids if I can't afford them? Bet in the same breath you'd also say you don't believe in abortions. Asshole.