Would I? No. Do I have friends and family that have allowed this? Yes. Bottom line go with YOUR gut and do whats best for YOUR family. Southwest will give ur child a southwest chaperone during the flight.

OP here. I appreciate all the feedback. Again, we're not going to put our son on a plane unaccompanied this summer and probably not for several years. I don't think we're bad parents for considering it. My parents raised me to be very independent from a young age, and we're pretty "free range" with our son. However, I think that the plane ride alone would be way too much for him at this point. We'll reconsider in a few years, once he says that he's comfortable with the idea. Thanks again for the feedback.

My daughter started flying alone to grandma's house at age 5. She loved it. It was a direct fly to Ohio. Onetime one mom was there with her 14 year old boy who was afraid to fly alone. When she asked if we would look out for him (she assumed we were flying with our daughter), we said our daughter would. The look on the woman's face was priceless. But, our daughter has always been an old soul. This was before 9/11 -- so it was easier, but I would still do it. You can get a pass from the airline to go in the waiting area past security to take your dd to the plane.

I would do it only for exceptional circumstances. If it was just for a routine trip to visit grandma and grandpa, no. My parent did it to me many years ago and of course grandma and grandpa got lost at the airport and I was pretty much left to my own devices to find security,,,,,

Anonymous wrote:OP, in my country many children at 6 travel around by themselves (with people to meet them at both ends). I think American parents keep there children as babies much longer (read the thread about the 23 year old doctor who needs mommy to handle her fender bender).

In my country they marry their daughters at age 16, let's bring this custom to America. They're spoiling their children too much. Let's make them grow before the time. Yay!

OP, in my country many children at 6 travel around by themselves (with people to meet them at both ends). I think American parents keep there children as babies much longer (read the thread about the 23 year old doctor who needs mommy to handle her fender bender).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Puppy yes. Child no.
Sorry, but are you people nuts??

Right?

People wonder if it's OK for a 6yo to use the restroom without mommy around here and others want to fly them alone?

I think they're old enough to handle the locker room but not a plane ride.

Agreed.

Anonymous wrote:

Sure, but I probably wouldn't let one of your spoilt darlings do it. They've never had to have an independent thought.

Affected Britishisms: sign of an insecure personality trying to compensate by acting superior. Sorry you feel the need to feel so much better than the rest of us, honey.

Or perhaps the poster is not American. Now what were you saying about acting superior?

Anonymous wrote:Puppy yes. Child no.
Sorry, but are you people nuts??

Right?

People wonder if it's OK for a 6yo to use the restroom without mommy around here and others want to fly them alone?

I think they're old enough to handle the locker room but not a plane ride.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Well, if someone kidnapped your child you'd be free to enjoy your income then. Win-Win, right?

Why can't grandpa fly to stay with the child while you work? Then kiddo could call him dad. Wait, where was the dad in all this? Oh you don't know who he is? Yeah, I knew it.

Wow, you are an evil one. Maybe you should apologize?

Apologize for what when she was the one calling names?

Puppy yes. Child no.
Sorry, but are you people nuts??

No kidding. OP asked for other people's approach with their own children. How about we back down with the judgment about others?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Well, if someone kidnapped your child you'd be free to enjoy your income then. Win-Win, right?

Why can't grandpa fly to stay with the child while you work? Then kiddo could call him dad. Wait, where was the dad in all this? Oh you don't know who he is? Yeah, I knew it.

Wow, you are an evil one. Maybe you should apologize?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Well, if someone kidnapped your child you'd be free to enjoy your income then. Win-Win, right?

Why can't grandpa fly to stay with the child while you work? Then kiddo could call him dad. Wait, where was the dad in all this? Oh you don't know who he is? Yeah, I knew it.

My dad can't fly due to health issues. The kiddo's dad died in the line of duty, but thanks for assuming the worst.

I'm sorry for your loss. I flew by myself at 10 many years ago - was fine.

Sure, but I probably wouldn't let one of your spoilt darlings do it. They've never had to have an independent thought.

Affected Britishisms: sign of an insecure personality trying to compensate by acting superior. Sorry you feel the need to feel so much better than the rest of us, honey.