Travelling with teens that are not mine........

[Luv2CtheMouse]

We are planning to take some of my kids friends with us to Disney later this year. These kids will be teenagers, but too young to have a picture ID. Actually, the kids have no idea they are going with us, only the parents do.

We will either fly SWA or AA. What do I need to have for these kids? I asked the airlines. The people at SWA were very nice, but sais that each airport is different and that TSA handles things differently at every airport.

The people at AA were typically rude and said that is none of their concern and I needed to ask TSA.

I am sure people here have taken kids to Disney that were not yours. I have questions.....................................................

1 - did you have any troubles
2 - did you have to bring anything special for them like a birth certificate, etc
3 - any special steps I should take beforehand

 

[Alesia]

Children under age 18 do not need ID to fly.

You also don't need written parental consent to fly with other people's children.

You definitely should have a medical consent form filled out for each of them.

 

[Carriemel]

To tag on to what Alesia said, that medical form should not only be signed but NOTARIZED.

 

[mmouse50]

Yes, make sure you have the medical form and a copy of the medical card if not the card itself.

As for the picture id - I always had them bring their school id.

 

[Alesia]

As for the picture id - I always had them bring their school id.

This must be a regional thing. The disboards is the only place I've heard of schools (other than colleges) issuing student IDs.

 

[tjmw2727]

All the info you need is on the TSA website, TSA.gov but as pp's mentioned only passengers 18 and older are required to have ID. A school ID isn't a recognized form of ID for the TSA anyway.

FWIW I travel with my dd's and my neices who range in age from 15 to 17. My nieces have a different last name and don't look a bit like myself or my dd's and I have never been asked for ID or asked whom I am traveling with or why. The oldest has been asked how old she is but when she responds 17 they just ask her name and pass her through.

Not necessary for airline travel - but I also make sure we have the insurance cards and written persmission for medical treatment signed by both parents. Never had it notarized and have gotten treatment without issue on two occasionans. However I agree thats probably a good idea for the future.

 

[tjmw2727]

This must be a regional thing. The disboards is the only place I've heard of schools (other than colleges) issuing student IDs.

Our HS does issue them, they are worn on a lanyard for field trips and used for free admission for the football games etc. It's just an ID card with the school name and logo, a tiny picture of the student and the students name. Not really good for anything other than school, discount admissions for students at the movies etc.

We don't use them for the TSA as IMHO it just slows down the line having the agent look at something only to dismiss it and ask the questions they normally would with an under 18 passenger.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This must be a regional thing. The disboards is the only place I've heard of schools (other than colleges) issuing student IDs.

That is odd, as I have lived all over the US and high schools everywhere I have lived have issued student id cards, since at least the early 1970s.

OP - You need no id or permission for these under age 18 travelers to travel with you as long as you are flying domestically. I agree that they need their medical insurance cards and parental permission for medical treatment.

We will either fly SWA or AA. What do I need to have for these kids? I asked the airlines. The people at SWA were very nice, but sais that each airport is different and that TSA handles things differently at every airport.

I sometimes wonder if the phone agents for airlines have ever actually flown!

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

Yes, make sure you have the medical form and a copy of the medical card if not the card itself.

As for the picture id - I always had them bring their school id.

We are all homeschooled. My sons and daughters and homeschooled as are my friend's daughters.

 

[AprilRenee]

You can get non-driver IDs at the DMV. They're like $10 and are a government issued ID. I've done it before (got pulled over for speeding and the cop took my license like 2 days before a trip!! Stupid ghetto small towns, it was my first offense! They took it as BAIL!! Anyway...)

But DH and I recently took my 13 yr old brother with us on a trip and he didn't have ID. They aren't required to have it. But if it would make you feel better...they can get one at the DMV.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You can get non-driver IDs at the DMV. They're like $10 and are a government issued ID. I've done it before (got pulled over for speeding and the cop took my license like 2 days before a trip!! Stupid ghetto small towns, it was my first offense! They took it as BAIL!! Anyway...)

But DH and I recently took my 13 yr old brother with us on a trip and he didn't have ID. They aren't required to have it. But if it would make you feel better...they can get one at the DMV.

Age requirements and fees for state ids vary. I cannot imagine voluntarily making a trip to a DMV for something not needed

 

[tjmw2727]

You can get non-driver IDs at the DMV. They're like $10 and are a government issued ID. I've done it before (got pulled over for speeding and the cop took my license like 2 days before a trip!! Stupid ghetto small towns, it was my first offense! They took it as BAIL!! Anyway...)

But DH and I recently took my 13 yr old brother with us on a trip and he didn't have ID. They aren't required to have it. But if it would make you feel better...they can get one at the DMV.

Here in DE its $20 and requires a trip to the DMV with the minor and a parent. The minor must have an original or certified BC and original SS document. In addition because the applicant is under 18 the parent must sign and provide acceptable ID themselves (DL, Passport etc) and two items with proof of residency.

Seems unnecessary to me when ID is Not Required for passengers under 18 when taveling within the US.

 

[francie57]

We have taken our kids friends on several occasions. We never had any trouble at the airports with taking them. If they were old enough to have an ID they showed it when asked, if not there wasn't any problem. Since the age of the kids will be entered when you book the tickets they will know that some are not old enought to require an ID. We just made sure we had a notorized letter stating each child by name and that we were responsible for them and that we had permission to make any medical decisions if necessary and it was signed by their parents. Make sure to have it notorized. We also had a copy of their medical insurance cards in case they were needed. You shouldn't have any trouble if you have that info with you.

 

[francie57]

We have taken our kids friends on several occasions. We never had any trouble at the airports with taking them. If they were old enough to have an ID they showed it when asked, if not there wasn't any problem. Since the age of the kids will be entered when you book the tickets they will know that some are not old enought to require an ID. We just made sure we had a notorized letter stating each child by name and that we were responsible for them and that we had permission to make any medical decisions if necessary and it was signed by their parents. Make sure to have it notorized. We also had a copy of their medical insurance cards in case they were needed. You shouldn't have any trouble if you have that info with you.