7.5 Year Old Flying Alone

[summerrluvv]

I may have posted this before when I was contemplating last year, but here I am again! I'm thinking of sending DS (7.5) to visit my mom and his other granmda and grandpa. He would be flying alone and the flight is about an hour and a half. He would be flying on Spirit and they offer unacommpanied minor service. I would take him to the gate, watch him board, and they will keep an eye on him during the flight and release him to his grandma at the gate. I'm sure thousands of kids do this everyday, but it still makes me a little nervous! He's never been away from home for more than a night so ten days is a long time! I know he would be fine, but I guess I'm just a worry wart. Has anyone else sent their kids to visit relatives alone on an airplane? How did it go?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

My DD flew to CA from Maryland when she was 6 1/2. Can't believe she actually did that since she wasn't the most independent of kids. There's no way that my current 6 1/2 yo would do that, so it really depends on your child. My middle children have also done it, but they were a little older (and my DD did it when she was older, too).

Does your son want to go? I think if he does, he'd be fine. The airlines take great care of the kids. It's a non-stop flight, right? How about having him go for a week? Ten days might be a little long if he's never been gone for more than one night.

 

[pearlieq]

We had an unaccompanied minor on our flight Saturday. His parents accompanied him to the gate, then a flight attendant boarded with him. he was seated right in the front of the plane and has all of his information in a pouch around his neck. When we got in, the flight attendant walked him off the plane and grandma took him from there!

It all looked to be very well orchestrated. I wouldn't worry about it, especially for a short direct flight.

 

[Hannathy]

My DD did it in first grade probably a bit younger than your child and she had to change planes. She had no problems, wasn't worried and either was I. She has flown numerous times herself since then without any problems When she was 12 we quit paying for the unaccompanied minor. If you are confident they will be too, what ever you do do not let your son see you being hesitant or afraid. I did go over with my DD how to go to a pay phone and call collect the first time she flew but now everyone probably just gives them cell phones!
Remind your Mom or whoever is picking them up to bring photo ID. He'll Love it!

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I think it really depends on the child. My oldest could have handeled it at probably age 6 or so, now my middle one who is almost 7 would be able to handle it now. As fara s my youngest I would venture a guess that 18 should be old enough for him.

 

[punkin]

My DD7 flew to Kansas on Southwest by herself 2 weeks ago. I booked her on a non-stop, direct flight to minimize potential problems. She did the same thing last year and was just fine (even though her ears hurt a little).

 

[summerrluvv]

Thanks for the replies I went ahead and booked the flight. I'm nervous, but thanks for reminding me to not show him that I'm nervous. He's sooo excited! As are his grandparents because he doens't get to see them often. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself for 10 days without him though!!

 

[KirstenB]

I have no experience with this, but there was a 13 yr old girl in the news lately who was molested by a 24 yr old guy during a flight. However, at the same time, kids fly all the time and it's fine.

If it was my child, I'd try to book an aisle seat, and make sure your child understands it's okay to squawk or ask to be moved if something doesn't feel right. We teach our kids all the time to be polite and respectful, but I've told dd1 to holler her head off if something's not right, and I won't punish her.

How does he feel about his grandparents? Does he see them throughout the year? Will there be cousins for him to play with? Is he outgoing? I know this is a separate issue, but an outgoing child will probably see this as a cool adventure, whereas a more quiet child might be better off waiting til he's older.

 

[summerrluvv]

I have no experience with this, but there was a 13 yr old girl in the news lately who was molested by a 24 yr old guy during a flight. However, at the same time, kids fly all the time and it's fine.

If it was my child, I'd try to book an aisle seat, and make sure your child understands it's okay to squawk or ask to be moved if something doesn't feel right. We teach our kids all the time to be polite and respectful, but I've told dd1 to holler her head off if something's not right, and I won't punish her.

How does he feel about his grandparents? Does he see them throughout the year? Will there be cousins for him to play with? Is he outgoing? I know this is a separate issue, but an outgoing child will probably see this as a cool adventure, whereas a more quiet child might be better off waiting til he's older.

Yikes, that's scary!!

He has a lot of cousins and he most excited about seeing them. We really only visit the family once or twice a year and he hasn't seen them since Xmas, but he always has fun with them.

 

[MoniqueU]

My daughter just did this last weekend on an hour long flight. She was fine, I was happy with the service and I asked her if she would do it again and she said she would. She did ask me if she should just turn up her ipod if people tried to talk to her and I said yes. She was leery on her own of having to talk to strangers. She was fine. I was a wreck the whole weekend til she came home. But would I do it again, yes. I feel the system is pretty good at least on the airline we used.

 

[TinkInPink]

I would book him a window seat! A little guy will want to look out the window. I wouldn't put much stake on the molestation story, first it didn't make national news that I heard and believe me they would love to make a big deal over anything like this. Second a 13 yr old probably wasn't being watched by the airlines, many won't after 12. And some 13 yr olds are very "matured" and there may be more to the story.(like encouraging it, or turning out to know the person, thought it would be fun but got scared) Plus how the heck could anything happen in a crowded plane with people all around, and 6 feet from the flight personel. and during the day. Unaccompanied minors can't fly on the last flight out in case of problems being delayed. He also has a very short flight.The flight attendants want them upfront so they will book him accordingly I don't remember how this was handled but I know she was always up front. I'm sure he will have a great time with his Gr.parents and cousins, you get to use the bathroom and shower without being disturbed!

Sorry this is Hannathy! The 6 yr old who flew herself survived to her teens and have her own log in and I didn't realize she had logged in!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My 9yo screams at the top of her lungs and cries when we are descending so no traveling alone for her. She does not handle any kind of pain well.

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

I don't think that my DS would be able to do that alone. Then again, he's not that old. I hope your DS has a safe flight and a wonderful trip!

 

[summerrluvv]

I don't think that my DS would be able to do that alone. Then again, he's not that old. I hope your DS has a safe flight and a wonderful trip!

Thanks!!

I logged into the ressie on Spirit and it says they won't assign seats for unacompanied minors until check in. I'm hoping that means he'll get a bulk head seat since they aren't assigned in advance. He loves window seats too, so hopefully he'll get one of those. I figure his gameboy will keep entertained for the duration of the flight. I told him not to talk to strangers, other than the flight attendants, and if someone touches him where they shouldn't, scream

 

[grlpwrd]

I would book him a window seat! A little guy will want to look out the window. I wouldn't put much stake on the molestation story, first it didn't make national news that I heard and believe me they would love to make a big deal over anything like this. Second a 13 yr old probably wasn't being watched by the airlines, many won't after 12. And some 13 yr olds are very "matured" and there may be more to the story.(like encouraging it, or turning out to know the person, thought it would be fun but got scared) Plus how the heck could anything happen in a crowded plane with people all around, and 6 feet from the flight personel. and during the day. Unaccompanied minors can't fly on the last flight out in case of problems being delayed...

I have worked for 2 different airlines and sadly these molestations have occurred (at other airlines) despite the fact it is in a crowded place. It can and does happen, not just to children, too. I know of an older gentleman from Hawaii who was very active in politics was found guilty of touching a female in her 20s who was asleep. Pervs will prey on anyone at any time.

Sorry, to say that a 13yo may have somehow encouraged it? That sounds like you're blaming the victim. You're right, though, we don't know the circumstance, but to even suggest the 13yo had some fault does not seem right to me. That 13yo is a child.

Well, summerluvv, I would at least make sure your son is on a direct, non-stop flight. That way there is less chance for him to have to stay overnight at a hotel with strangers because of a delay or whatever which could put him at risk.

Yes, and prep him on what to expect and what he has to do to protect himself.

GL!

 

[icebrat001]

When I was a little kid I flew alone, I flew alone ages 7 - 17. They will take good care of him.

 

[summerrluvv]

Well, summerluvv, I would at least make sure your son is on a direct, non-stop flight. That way there is less chance for him to have to stay overnight at a hotel with strangers because of a delay or whatever which could put him at risk.

Yes, and prep him on what to expect and what he has to do to protect himself.

GL!

The flight is direct and I don't even think they take them on Spirit if there is a connection.

 

[TinkInPink]

Hi this is the girl who survived flying alone multiple times.
Generally they will have him get on first, have him sit either near the front of the plane or the back depending on where the flight attendants will sit during the flight, and will have him get off last. It isnt a big deal.

 

[summerrluvv]

Well, today was the day. I took him this morning and everything went okay. I was a bit teary eyed, but I know he's going to have a blast! He sat in the 3rd row, no one was next to him, and I'm pretty sure it was first class (well Spirit's first class). There was a little problem however with them trying to locate my son on the passenger list when my mom went to the ticket counter to get her gate pass to pick him up. She said it took about 30 minutes before they found his name and kept saying he wasn't on that flight. They finally straightened it out but it's a good thing she got there super early!!