Airlines and Grandparents

[GrandBob]

So, our plan to take our 6yo granddaughter to DLR after Thanksgiving is getting complicated, what with coordinating with the great-grands for Thanksgiving, DSS and DDIL's independent plans, and a Christmas party. At this point, the easiest plan is going to involve having my DW take DGD back to her parents via air.

Which brings up my question. What documentation does a 6 year old need to get through TSA on the plane? Anything? Birth certificate?

Second question -- do we need some documentation proving that we have permission to take her on the plane? What? Just a note, signed by parents, saying "<grandparent> has our permission to take <grandchild> on a plane", or something to that effect?

Thanks for your help.

-Bob

 

[Brady's Mom]

When we travel with our kids (I know - different situation) we never bring a birth certificate or anything. But, when I make the airline reservations I always make them together and all the names show up on the itinerary that gets emailed to me. Maybe take the itinerary with you so that the airline personnel can see that if they need to. I don't think it will make a big difference since the tickets (and Grandma and granddaughter) will probably be listed together, anyway.

 

[GrandBob]

Thanks Shannon. Yes, it's relevant, since DW has to go both directions (to parents house and back), and DGD goes only one direction. So we could buy a round-trip for DW and a one-way for DGD, but then they wouldn't be on the same itinerary. So I guess it's best to get a one-way with both names, and another one way for DW to return.

So, anyone have a comment on getting a piece of paper that shows DW has permission to take DGD on a plane? Just a signed piece of paper, or something more formal and notarized, or not necessary, or what? What about the wording? Thanks.

-Bob

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

My mom and my sister take my kids on the plane each summer and it has never been a problem. I did send my kid's birth certificate with them last time but that was because they were going to Hawaii and I wasn't sure if they needed more documentation. I would call the airline to see what their policy is on kids and I.D. I know things have been changing so I would call just to make sure.

I never have sent them with a permission slip.

The only time they ever ask for I.D. from the adult is if the child is flying unaccompanied and the child is being picked up by someone on the other end. But, it sounds like that is not what you are doing so it should all be fine.

She will have to show her I.D. like she normally does but there shouldn't be any extra steps.

 

[oc_tony]

My MIL took our DS7 on a plane from AZ to CA. My wife typed up a note which she and I both signed. We included our cell and home numbers on the note just in case. DS7 has a passport, but if he didn't, I would have brought his birth certificate just to be safe. The airline folks never asked to see proof of MIL's grandma status, but they did ask my son directly if he knew "this lady." ha ha

The airline itself would be your most definitive source, but I hope my 2 cents helps. Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[ballarinamom]

Don't forget to get a notarized letter authorizing you to make medical decissions incase the y(heaven forbid) become ill or hurt.

 

[GrandBob]

Thanks everyone. We'll get DSS and DDIL to sign a note that we have their permission to take DGD on a plane. Yes, ballerinamom, we always get a medical permission slip when we take her, too, as well as a copy of their health insurance card. But we generally just get them to sign the permission slip. We've never gotten it notarized. Do you think that's important?

-Bob

 

[bumbershoot]

I personally, if we had any grandparents sane enough to take DS anywhere alone, would send along a notarized note from both parents stating permission to go and of course permission to authorize emergency treatment.

Would it be needed? Most likely not. But if it suddenly were asked for it seems it would be best to have it.

 

[tholczer]

Your best bet is to call the airlines and find out what is needed.

Tracy

 

[kelmac284]

On this same note since you guys brought it up my mom and I want to take my two daughters on a cruise to the bahamas next year. Since it is "out of the country" I know I need some type of note giving permission from my dh saying it is ok that I take them but does it have to be notarized? And what does it need to say exactly just that he gives permission for me their mom to take them? And I shouldn't need anything for medical emergencies since I am their mom right?

 

[Dragonfly*Tink]

To put a different spin on this .... since I am from Canada and for us going to the US is an "international" border crossing - I always have a letter signed by both myself, my ex-husband and signed by a witness stating that I am able to leave the country with the children. I have yet to show it on any flight.

However, I had a note with me when I drove through the border and they didn't ask to see it but did ask my daughter directly if her father knew where she was! She said yes and he even gave money to spend but she wasn't allowed to buy junk!

I have never had my notes notorized.

 

[CaliKT]

My 8-year-old niece flew by herself to visit me this summer, and then I flew with her (and my kids) to visit my parents.

To fly by herself, the airlines required paperwork and permission slip from my sister. But the airlines did not require anything from me when I flew with her. Everyone probably assumed that she was my kid! No one at TSA or the airlines ever asked me for any documentation.

Just in case, though, I had a Ziploc bag containing her passport (again, no one ever asked to see this) and a medical authorization form from my sister. (She just printed one off the internet.) I can't remember if she gave me a letter/form authorizing me to take her on the trip, but it seems like a good idea to have one "just in case."

 

[GrandBob]

Your best bet is to call the airlines and find out what is needed.

Tracy

Thanks for all the advice, everyone. So I called Southwest, and the agent said that the airline doesn't require anything as long as the child is accompanied by an adult. She also said that TSA shouldn't require anything either; but then went on to suggest that perhaps it would be a good idea to have a birth certificate, just in case.

So we'll request that DSS and/or DDIL make a copy of the birth certificate, and sign a consent form. I don't plan to get any of the above notarized, since none of it appears to be required. Worst case, driving her back home adds 5 hours each way, assuming no snow in the mountains.

-Bob

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

My parents took my DD's down to DL on Southwest. I called in advance and they said no documentation was necessary. I still sent them with copies of birth certs and a letter signed by me. They never asked for any documentation or ID at all.

 

[Delilah Bleu]

Southwest doesn't require id for under 18. I often travel with my dd and her bff. Generally the TSA agent will ask them how old they are (12), (13) and their names.