Airport kids checking in and security - UPDATED - no problem getting gate pass

[eebadeeba]

My 3 kids will be going on an trip with their dad. He does not live here. He is on a flight getting in 1.5 hours before the flight he is scheduled to take with the kids.

He asked me to check them in and try to get them through security. They are flying Frontier and will be checking a bag. He is going to check them all in online, so we should be able to just check the bag. I am a little worried about that, since he will not be there to check the bag, and the kids don't have IDs. (I should have their birth certificates).

I don't think I will be able to get a pass to go through security. I am not sure if they do that for unaccompanied minors or not. But since they aren't technically unaccompanied I am not sure what the options will be.

I am worried if I try to call the airline about this, I might get an answer that would be different than what they will allow at the airport.

Anyway, just wondered if anyone has any experience or suggestions.

Thanks

UPDATE:
I just got back from dropping the kids off at Midway. There was no problem getting the gate pass. Thanks for all the responses. It really eased my mind.

Security was interesting. At the beginning of it a gentleman was directing people to go to the left or right after glancing at the boarding passes. Not sure how you were chosen which side to go on. We went to the right. Another quick stop where they looked at the passes again. Then down to where they stamped the passes. They did ask each of the kids their name, age and where they were flying to. To the left of us at this point is where all of the people who went to the left are lined up to go through security. After that we are directed to the right and down a hall. When we get there there are two short lines, and no one has to take shoes off or take any electronics out of the bags. Very quick. On my way back out, I notice that in the other security lines, people are taking laptops out and taking shoes off. I watched the guy that was telling people to go left or right at the beginning for a few minutes (the things you can do without kids ) and didn't see any pattern. Just thought it was interesting.

 

[lizabu]

You can't pass security without a boarding pass. Their Dad either has to be there or you have to pay for someone from the airline to escort them. Unless they're older.

 

[NewRVLady]

There is no way I would let a 9-3 year olds alone on an airport!!! Lordy what if his flight is delayed

 

[RadioNate]

You can't pass security without a boarding pass. Their Dad either has to be there or you have to pay for someone from the airline to escort them. Unless they're older.

Not true. I do it with my kids all the time when they fly to see their dad. They are 13 & 6.
You need to get a guest assistance pass from the counter when you check their luggage.

They do not fly unaccompanied minor.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Don't worry. You can get a pass and go all the way to the departure gate with them. Sit with them until Dad gets there. Stay even if they want you to.

My son is 18 and I went with him last time. He had surgery during his break and just wanted the company.

 

[eebadeeba]

Thanks for the answers.

I have not updated my signature, they are ages 11-6 now. But even then I would not have let them go through security alone. I just didn't know if I could get a pass if they were not flying as official unaccompanied minors. If I couldn't get one, then he would have to come out and go back in, which makes the connection tight even if his plane is on time.

 

[rigs32]

The ease of getting a pass is dependent on your airport. I'd call them to explain the situation to make sure they give you the thumbs up. And ask who to contact when you arrive to get it.

 

[DebbieB]

You shouldn't have a problem getting a pass.

 

[Lionqueen2]

This week at the airport, the man ahead of me in line was getting a guest pass so that he could meet his young grandchildren at the gate. He got his pass at the airline counter. They did ask to see his ID and asked for the children's flight info, etc. I don't think you will have a problem getting a pass.

 

[drinkme]

I've done this with SWA a few times, and my kids weren't technically unaccompanied minors either. To let you know from my experience, SOMEONE has to have an ID to get through security. If your kids don't have a state ID, then they won't get through security without an adult there with a gate pass & ID.

I have only received my gate pass from the line inside the airport (where you drop your luggage off). I heard you can also get one from the skycaps outside.

Earlier this year my dd15 traveled alone. She has a state ID so she just used that to get through security herself. She has traveled alot so she knows her way around the airport.

If my kids were as young as your kids I wouldn't let them go through security alone.

 

[DopeyDame]

Like others have said, you shouldn't have a problem getting a pass at the ticket counter that you'll be able to use to get through security. Just get there early and if the first agent gives you any trouble, ask to speak to the supervisor on duty.

 

[firecracker725]

Not only would you not want your children to go through security alone, the TSA will not allow them to. Have the birth certificates and your ID ready, and you should have no problem at all. You can even stay with them until their departure if you like.

 

[bcla]

You can't pass security without a boarding pass. Their Dad either has to be there or you have to pay for someone from the airline to escort them. Unless they're older.

It's called a "gate pass" and I've gotten them before. It can be issued for any reasonable reason including accompanying minors, helping a disabled passenger, or aiding someone with language difficulties. However, they're issued at the discretion of the airline counter agent. They have to be picked up in person at the counter, and that takes time compared to printing your own online boarding passes.

I do remember a time when no boarding pass was required to go through airport security. It was easy to accompany anyone to the gate or see them get off the plane. That era has long since passed.

 

[bcla]

Not only would you not want your children to go through security alone, the TSA will not allow them to. Have the birth certificates and your ID ready, and you should have no problem at all. You can even stay with them until their departure if you like.

Actually - TSA doesn't require birth certificates or even ID for minors. I always bring my child's passport card, but that's just me.

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/acceptable-ids

Adult passengers (18 and over) are required to show a valid U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID in order to be allowed to go through the checkpoint and onto their flight.

The only time when a birth certificate or other proof of age is required for a minor flying domestic is when the child is a lap infant. Every airline has a different procedure. Southwest requires proof of age at the counter. Of course there's international flights where a passport is needed.

It has been noted that someone will ID will have to go with a minor to the gate, whether it's a guardian or an airline employee escorting an unaccompanied minor (and that costs extra).

 

[DopeyDame]

It has been noted that someone will ID will have to go with a minor to the gate, whether it's a guardian or an airline employee escorting an unaccompanied minor (and that costs extra).

Is this always true? Pretend you had a 15 year old travelling alone. (Experienced flyer and a 200 pound lineman, for the sake of argument so no one jumps to the safety concerns...)
Anyway, he wouldn't need an ID for TSA and wouldn't need to be an unaccompanied minor. How is he supposed to get through security?

 

[NMAmy]

I've gotten the gate passes many, many times before when dd was flying when she was young. It's been a while but I always got pulled aside for extra screening through security. I learned, OP, to really not carry anything with me but my car keys and my wallet. It made it much faster.

 

[bcla]

I've gotten the gate passes many, many times before when dd was flying when she was young. It's been a while but I always got pulled aside for extra screening through security. I learned, OP, to really not carry anything with me but my car keys and my wallet. It made it much faster.

Not to freak out anyone, but one time I went in on a gate pass I had stuff in my pockets that I had to remove and show. It included a Zippo lighter (don't smoke but it's kind of a cool thing to have) and iron powder hand warmers - the kind that heat up when exposed to oxygen. I forgot all about the lighter, but I did remember to leave my Swiss Army knife in my car. The TSA screener took a look at it and said "If you only knew what you could do with this stuff....", gave them back to me, and let me through.

I don't think used lighters are allowed on flights, but apparently I was allowed through security with it because I didn't have a boarding pass.

 

[bcla]

Is this always true? Pretend you had a 15 year old travelling alone. (Experienced flyer and a 200 pound lineman, for the sake of argument so no one jumps to the safety concerns...)
Anyway, he wouldn't need an ID for TSA and wouldn't need to be an unaccompanied minor. How is he supposed to get through security?

I wasn't sure about the particulars. It turns out that unaccompanied minors need to be escorted to the gate by an adult. I looked up the rules for American Airlines. Not sure if they're based on TSA rules or just airline policy. TSA doesn't ask to see proof of age, but the airlines reserves the right to request to see it.

https://www.aa.com/i18n/disclaimers/childrenTravelingAloneChecklist.jsp

Self Travel

• Children under 12 years of age must travel with another passenger at least 16 years of age or they will be considered Unaccompanied Minors.
• Passengers 12 through 17 years of age may travel independently. Unaccompanied Minor service can also be purchased as an option for passengers 12 through 17 (subject to the same charges and provisions).

Before Going to the Airport

• American Airlines reserves the right to request documented proof of age for children traveling alone. Please be prepared to provide documentation (birth certificate, driver's license, passport, etc.) upon request.
• A parent or responsible adult must do the following when a child who will be traveling as an Unaccompanied Minor is brought to the airport:

• Complete an Unaccompanied Minor form at the ticket counter. This includes providing the name, address and phone number of designating the parent or responsible adult who will meet the child at his or her destination. A child may not travel unaccompanied until this form is completed.
• Obtain a boarding pass from the airport ticket counter (for clearance through the security checkpoint).
• Remain with unaccompanied minor until the child is boarded on the flight and the flight has departed the gate. This may not be possible at airports outside the United States. See below for additional information.

They say "boarding pass" but I think we've been calling it a gate pass, since there will not actually be any boarding using the pass.

And the question of ID:

http://www.tsa.gov/contact-us

Q. What ID is needed for minors traveling domestically/internationally?
A. Minor children (younger than 18) are not required to provide an ID at the airport security checkpoint. They will just need their boarding pass. All passengers, including children, on international flights are required to have a passport in their possession.

There's a lot of gray area here. I suppose there could be odd cases where the airline questions whether a kid is at least 12, but where they're small and look young - perhaps even over 18 where they theoretically need ID. Or a 17 year old accompanying an 11 year old, where the airline wants to verify that one kid is old enough, but where I suppose they don't need to check the other kid's age because that's sufficient with another passenger.

 

[drinkme]

Is this always true? Pretend you had a 15 year old travelling alone. (Experienced flyer and a 200 pound lineman, for the sake of argument so no one jumps to the safety concerns...) Anyway, he wouldn't need an ID for TSA and wouldn't need to be an unaccompanied minor. How is he supposed to get through security?

I mentioned this in my previous thread. Dd15 traveled alone a couple of months ago. She flew SWA so she is not considered an unaccompanied minor. She has a state ID that she had to use to get through security. If she didn't have a gov't issued ID I do not think she would have been able to get through security. Someone else would had to have gone with her using a gate pass. I thought I read somewhere that someone has to have a gov't issued ID in order to get the child through. I may be wrong about this.

 

[bcla]

I mentioned this in my previous thread. Dd15 traveled alone a couple of months ago. She flew SWA so she is not considered an unaccompanied minor. She has a state ID that she had to use to get through security. If she didn't have a gov't issued ID I do not think she would have been able to get through security. Someone else would had to have gone with her using a gate pass. I thought I read somewhere that someone has to have a gov't issued ID in order to get the child through. I may be wrong about this.

TSA (or airports that still use private security like SFO) don't require ID at all for anyone under 18. They'll usually take the word that a child is under 18 and doesn't require ID. My 3 YO does have a passport card, but we would have had no issue even without it. I think your 15 YO would have no problem just saying what her age was and getting through.

The airlines are the ones that have to enforce their unaccompanied minor rules as well as federal lap infant rules. They might want to check that a child is under 2 as a lap infant, although different airlines have different policies. Southwest requires proof of age - shown at the ticket counter, while other airlines say "we reserve the right to request proof of age". The kid can fly alone if over 12, so they might want proof of age for the minimum age. They might want to see if a kid is at least 16 to document if that kid is old enough to travel with a child under 12. They might want to check that a kid is at least the age where they allow unaccompanied minor service.

Here's Delta's rules:

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en...-your-trip/children-traveling-alone-faqs.html

What if I decline the Unaccompanied Minor service for my 15 to 17 year old?

• Enrollment in the Delta Air Lines Unaccompanied Minor program is mandatory for children 5 to 14. If you prefer that your 15 to 17 year old travel without supervision, please advise the agent at the time of the reservation and it will be noted. Your child will be expected to handle boarding and deplaning as well as transfers to connecting gates on their own.
• Remind your teenager never to leave the airport for any reason unless accompanied by a badged Delta employee or uniformed police officer until they have reached their destination city. She or he should never seek help from or leave the airport with strangers.
• Provide your teenager with instructions, phone contacts and a small amount of money for food in the unlikely event their flight is missed, delayed, canceled or rerouted.
• Remind your teenager that they can seek the assistance of any Delta employee if they have questions, concerns or need reassurance.
• Remember most hotels will not accept young people who are not accompanied by an adult.

They say nothing about being accompanied to the gate and don't mention identification. I don't think it's a bad idea, but a lot of kids travel around the country without ID. It's one of those odd loopholes.