Anonymous wrote:She needs to struggle and persevere. Read signs and figure it out. She's 15 not 5. She can ask people who work at the airport how to get where she's going if she needs help.

SO MUCH THIS.

Navigating an airport is a life skill. I am sure she can do it if she can read. And if she's "confused" she just needs to be polite and ask someone who works there.

I think this is a wonderful opportunity! If your child is pretty mature, it’s a good learning experience.

One suggestion, which I hope you don’t interpret as a reason not to send her: make sure she is comfortable loudly protesting and getting assistance if anyone makes her feel uncomfortable on the plane. This can be hard for anyone so it’s good to talk about it openly in advance.

Anonymous wrote:No—she’s still a child. A friend’s birthday party isn’t essential, and it’s not appropriate for her to be flying somewhere alone without a parent for that. I’d also be concerned about trafficking.

Being worried about your child being kidnapped and trafficked from an airport is bananas.

This is so weird to worry about unless you child has never flown before. My kid could confidently navigate an airport by age 10.

Truthfully, my parents let my sister fly alone at age 4, but that was back in the 80s when a flight attendant kept an eye on you. She even changed planes in Charlotte, but I’m assuming someone took her. Now, I think my parents were insane, but unless you child has debilitating anxiety or special needs, I would not worry about this in the slightest.

We are only hurting our kids by not trusting them to do things. Kids have to learn to go out in the world on their own.

OMG, I did this at 7 years old. Yes we had a lot more hand-holding by airlines, making sure we were handed off -- but still!!

Something happens and your teen faces some challenges, they'll live. And learn

My kids (3 of them) all started flying solo at 14. It's super easy and completely safe.

You have to pull the bandaid off at some point.

Anonymous wrote:No—she’s still a child. A friend’s birthday party isn’t essential, and it’s not appropriate for her to be flying somewhere alone without a parent for that. I’d also be concerned about trafficking.

How would trafficking work? I studied it a bit in college and became a sex crimes prosecutor and have never seen this, so I am curious what exactly you’re worried about.

My 15 yo is flying alone to opposite coast to stay with family for a week this summer. First time.

I am nervous, but she’ll be fine.

I wouldn’t be worried both the flight at all. I’d be more worried about the actual stay. How we do you know this girl and her parents?

She’ll be alright.
This is how they gain the skill.

You’ll be nervous, and she’ll get there, and at the end of the trip she’ll be a little more ready for the next thing.

I flew to Australia alone when I was 15. It was fine. Mostly I was bored and couldn’t t sleep.

Anonymous wrote:It
Depends
On
The
Kid

Not their age!

This. But I’ll change it to it depends on the person. I have one kid who would have been absolutely fine at a much younger age than 15.

There are a couple adults in my extended family who have never flown alone and never will. They have massive anxiety with flying and no sense of direction in general.

As long as she has extra time (direct is best, but if not direct, make sure the layover is enough time) and has flying experience, she will be fine. Check in online and get boarding pass on her phone - coach her in advance how to find gate. The only way they learn is by doing it. There isn’t likely to be any negative consequences other than a little stress/anxiety, which frankly I think this generation needs to learn to deal with anyway

Pretty sure United only allows nonstop flights for kids that age (we found out when we tried to get our nephew to meet us at the airport for our connecting flight last year). Other airlines might have different policies. Make sure she has a photo ID on her. Have her walk you through what she should do to get to her gate and after she gets off the plane.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No—she’s still a child. A friend’s birthday party isn’t essential, and it’s not appropriate for her to be flying somewhere alone without a parent for that. I’d also be concerned about trafficking.

15 is basically an adult for most of human existence. We’re not asking the kid to fight a war or earn a living- just to board a plane.

Really? She’s an American teen who probably was used to following adults around to reach their destination not paying attention. It’s $150 for the attendant to keep an eye on her. Peace of mind.