Accompanying a "child" to the gate..

[branv]

My sister and I are talking about flying my 13 y.o. niece out to see me. Now my sister hasn't sent a child on an airplane since her oldest was young, and that was the 90's. So the new security regulations have us stymied in regards to minors flying without adults. And my niece has never flown before. In fact, I don't think she's even ever been in an airport.

From what I can find on SWA, she is not considered a minor, let alone an unaccompanied minor. So I'm not sure what rules apply to getting a pass to accompany her to/from her gate. Is she just too old for this, is it dependent on the rules of the airline (i.e. do other airlines give better allowances for this, go higher in age)? Can anyone provide some info, tips?

 

[pat fan]

I'm thinking it will depend on who you talk to. Our 2 boys were flying (SW) from Hartford CT. to N.C. alone. When DH & I got to the airport, I asked the SW attendant if there was any way we could go with them to their gate and wait with them and she gave us passes to get us through. We had to go through all the security checks and everything, but it was so great to be able to wait with them.

When we picked them up, same thing. We asked and got passes to wait for them right at the gate. The girl there was very helpful too. They had a delay so she kept pulling up their flight on her monitor and showing me where they were. It pays to ask nicely and look a little freaked out about sending your babies off alone, I think

BTW, this was about 5 years ago and they were around 12/13 and 15/16.

 

[Red_Rider]

You should contact the airline and request a "Gate Pass" -- this will allow you to accompany the child to the gate. A lot of airlines will allow this.

 

[mytripsandraces]

Have you contacted Southwest? They charge a fee for unaccompanied minors, so you may be able to pay the fee and get the additional security of the airline's attention during the flight and delivery to the adult meeting the child at the destination.

 

[MousePrincess]

I flew out of LAX last year via SWA with my 3mo old and 2yo. My father and 12yo brother dropped me off and were going to help me to security. The person at the check-in desk asked if they wanted to accompany me to the gate. They sent us through a private security area and my dad just had to get a special pass by showing his ID. Since I was granted this privilege without even asking or knowing it was possible, I don't see why it would be an issue for her.

 

[gigi1313]

last summer my husband accompanied my 14yo dd to the gate at jfk for a jetblue flight, and my niece was given a gate pass to pick her up at burlington, vt airport (same in reverse on the way home)... i did alert the airline in advance over the phone after i made the online reservation... she was not considered an "unaccompanied minor" due to her age, yet was allowed gate to gate drop off/pick up service...

 

[annacali]

I have been able to get a gate pass to meet my 84 yo grandmother at the gate when she comes to visit...so it works for all ages.

 

[Capt_BJ]

in our most recent experience the cut off age was 16

but an anxious mom of a 17 yoa was able to get a pass when she looked very stressed....

 

[branv]

Thank you so much for the info! I will definitely make sure we talk to SWA when making the reservation.

 

[Lewisc]

The problem is you'll have to wait in line to ask for a gate pass. Not an issue if you're checking luggage inside but a waste of time if you only have carryon bags or want the option of using a skycap. You can probably talk the SW employee into giving you a gate pass but why?