How do you feel about unaccompanied minors on flights?

[jdcthree]

Ok-I see basically everyone is for it. Now I have a 4.5 year old so my thinking towards the future with regards to that may be skewed.

I think I would have a hard time with it. I feel like the world I grew up in and the world we live in is now different. I don't want to really write down all the bad scenarios, but let me say this-what is there was a passenger bothering your kids on a flight. I find attendants to be stretched thin. Also with flying, you just never know, passengers go crazy and an emergency landed is needed. Now the kids are in a different airport.

I hate being a debbie downer-I just know I couldn't do it.

You're not alone. I wouldn't send my son (age 11) on a plane alone in a million years.

 

[crisi]

We sent my daughter to New York this summer at 13

When I was young, my best friend and her little sister escaped the fall of the Shah in Iran by getting on one of the last flights leaving Tehran without their parents and making their way from France (where the plane landed) to their grandmother in the U.S. Traveling is a life skill you teach your kids, you can't expect them to hit eighteen and be independent unless you give them independence gradually as they grow up. For one thing, they may need those skills sooner than you imagine.

Their mother escaped five years later, their father a year after that.

 

[Lizzybean]

We sent my daughter to New York this summer at 13

When I was young, my best friend and her little sister escaped the fall of the Shah in Iran by getting on one of the last flights leaving Tehran without their parents and making their way from France (where the plane landed) to their grandmother in the U.S. Traveling is a life skill you teach your kids, you can't expect them to hit eighteen and be independent unless you give them independence gradually as they grow up. For one thing, they may need those skills sooner than you imagine.

Their mother escaped five years later, their father a year after that.

What an amazing story.

I fully agree it's so important to teach life skills early on. I want my kids to feel confident and comfortable so when they become adults it doesn't hit them all at once.

 

[MouseEarsForAll]

They should be absolutely fine. At age 13 I flew by myself from malaysia to the US, including an overnight in Singapore, and stops in singapore, taiwan, seattle, detroit and finally boston. A single flight with no customs to go through seems like a cakewalk. Unless your kids have behavioral problems they will be fine!

Wow. Major, MAJOR bonus points.

I'm probably still wandering around the Taiwan airport.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Wow. Major, MAJOR bonus points.

I'm probably still wandering around the Taiwan airport.

Yeah for bonus points! And to answer somebody elses question, this was definitely not my first or second trip on an airplane, although it was my first solo trip. We lived overseas and flew places all the time.

 

[daisyduck123]

I would never do it. Nope. I'd fly back home myself, get the kids, & fly WITH them before I'd ever let them fly alone. Too much could happen & I would never put my kids in that position of being alone on a plane if something were to happen.

 

[pinktink83]

I think it would be fine for their ages, but, but...its your anniversary! I think you should leave them behind. 1) its good for you and your husband and 2) its good to teach your children that you and husband come FIRST and 3) they don't always get what they want. It sounds like a LOT of hassle just for what would be a weekend trip away with your husband. Just let your kids stay with Grandma and spend some quality time with her, and honor yourself and your relationship and have fun just the two of you.

 

[pinktink83]

Oh, and then use the money you would've spent on extra plane tickets and park tickets, and treat yourselves to a super nice dinner out and buy something fun in the park to remember your vacation.

 

[North of Mouse]

We sent our youngest son at 10 across country non stop to visit my sister. He was very mature, and we had only the *normal* parental anxieties, wasn't really worried that he wouldn't do just fine. Actually, we could have sent him at 8 if we had needed to, as he was always very mature and trustworthy.

So, it really depends on the maturity level of your child (no matter the age) and how much you can trust them in everyday life.

 

[disneypolybride2008]

hi. when i was 13 i flew a 2 hour flight from indiana to see my dad in New Jersey and there was a stop. I was not allowed off the plane yet everyone else left. There was hopefully someone actually there, but it seemed like i was alone on the plane. It was right at lunch time and before the flight attendant told me to stay put i asked about food and told her i was hungry and didnt have any food. I asked if i could get some and then come back on, but they just said no.

Once the plane boarded again I told my story to this guy sitting next to me and he gave me 1/2 his sandwich, but i was leary b/c i was always told not to take food from strangers.

Just sharing my story, yours will probably be fine since it is a direct flight. Do pack snacks for them though.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

hi. when i was 13 i flew a 2 hour flight from indiana to see my dad in New Jersey and there was a stop. I was not allowed off the plane....

Just sharing my story, yours will probably be fine since it is a direct flight. Do pack snacks for them though.

Once again, a direct flight is not the same as a non-stop flight. The flight you were on was a direct flight.

You should never fly without taking some snacks.

 

[NHKristy76]

I wouldn't put my daughter on a plane without me or another trusted adult in a million years...

I would, however, enjoy a short trip to Disney World with just my husband. We definitely missed our daughter while we were away but it did wonders for our marriage - and we all benefit from a strong marriage!

Go, enjoy a trip with your husband!

 

[ImpossibleOfMe]

both my sister and I flew alone as minors. Me, many times, from the age of 10 or so - my father moved to FL and I lived with mother in RI.
The flight attendants always were aware of the situation and I was not let go at the gate until my parent was there. If the plane ever landed, it was still a flight where you dont change planes during the stops.

 

[Svhadden]

I flew alone for the first time when I was 11. I really don't remember a lot of help from the airline, but it may just be that I didn't ask for it. My parents taught me how to read my ticket, find my flight/gate, so I was fine. Now, the idea of sending MY 11 year old on a flight by herself??? Scary lol. Not for her--she's incredibly independent and able, just from a momma's perspective .