Children Flying Alone?

[Hannathy]

If it is a direct flight your goddaughter would be fine because you can get a pass to walk her to the gate and for someone to meet her on the other end and in reality that's all you are paying for with an unaccompanied minor, the only difference is they walk the child onto the airplane and I truly think a 12 yr old can walk down the ramp by themselves, really!

 

[summerrluvv]

My son flew as an UM last Summer from NY to Detroit when he was 7. It's not a long flight, an hour and a half. He flew Spirit and I had to pay the UM fee at the airport. It was $45 each way at the time, but I just saw it went up to $50 each way. We had no problems other than me crying when I watched the plane leave since my little baby is growing up. I got a gate pass, as did my mother, so he was never left alone. I taught him to scream if someone tried to touch him. The flight attendants kept an eye on him and he sat in the front of the plane. He got plastic wings which he loved and sat with another UM on the way back so he made he made a friend.

I really cannot imagine putting my child on a plane to have someone else meet him at the arriving airport and not know their last name. That just seems a little weird to me.

 

[ilovepcot]

Okay, this was a "few" years ago, but my parents put me on a plane to visit family out of state and I never arrived at the other end. I was able to convince the flight attendant that I was to be getting off at the stop "before" my actual stop. I cried and "went all to pieces" insisting my family members would be frantic when I didn't get off at the right place and couldn't she "do something"!!!!??? She did, poor thing, and I got off at the stop before mine and had my boyfriend waiting there for me. We took off for nearly a week without anyone knowing our whereabouts. Boarding school soon followed!


ETA: Actually it was my luggage being taken off the stop before my scheduled landing that caused all the trouble and prompted the "tears".

 

[horseshowmom]

My DD flew alone for the first time at 10 or 11. She had flown many times before and was familiar with the whole process (I had her start finding our way through airports for us when she was 6 - finding the gate, luggage, etc. - so she would know how when she eventually went alone).

She flew on AirTran, and as an unaccompanied minor, she was put in first class (business class) since there were seats available. She was forever ruined after that!

 

[minnieandme]

My oldest DS was around 8 when he flew by himself from NY to Atl. I paid an unaccompanied minor fee and when I went to pick him up, I had to show id to the flight attendent that took care of him on the plane. He wasn't scared at all and the flight is a little over 2 hours. An 11 year old is more aware of their surroundings and would be fine flying by themself.

 

[ctinct]

My daughter flew alone when she was about 7, on a direct flight. I don't think I would have let her if she had had a connection. I was way more nervous than she was. My parents were at the airport in Florida before her plane ever took off here in CT just to ease my mind.
One thing I did for my daughter to make it easier for her was buy her a new watch and give her a goodie bag with a letter or tiny gift to unwrap every half hour on the flight.

As I recall, the airline was USAir. I felt really good about them afterwards because the attendant would not let me touch or hug my daughter after her return flight until she had checked my ID, even though my daughter greeted me with a huge "Mommy!" Maybe not all attendants do this, but it really impressed me.

 

[tiggerlover]

It is funny to see this post today because DH, DS and I were just talking about this. DS (10) wanted to know why we were driving him to his grandparents this summer instead of letting him fly alone. DS "thinks" he is ready (mind you when we flew last summer he was still nervous), but mom and dad aren't ready for him to fly alone.

 

[meandtheguys2]

My sister and I were flying on our own when I was 10 and she was 7. I don't see how anyone could have serious problems on a direct flight.

 

[KimR]

My oldest DD flew from Atlanta to Naples, FL and back when she was 5 with no problems at all. However, she has always been very mature, outgoing, and independent. My youngest DD will be 6 in a few weeks and there is no way I'd let her because she'd be terrified. Totally different personalities.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Starting when I was 5, I flew alone every year, to visit my father in Indiana. Flight attendants completely ignored me, but I managed. It was over 20 years ago, though.

 

[mrsltg]

I flew alone for the first time when I was 7. I lived in NY and Dad lived in TX. I made that trip many, many times thoughout the years. I always felt so grown up getting on a plane by myself. In fact...

... My DD6 is flying alone for the first time in three weeks. She is taking a 40 minute flight to visit my parents in NY. She is flying out of and into airports that allow a parent or guardian all the way to the plane gate. I will put her on the jetway, and my dad will take her off. As a mom I am nervous, but I am keeping it to myself. My DD is so excited and I don't want her to become uncomfortable because of my nerves. It will be fine - I will be a wreck. Good luck!

 

[floridafam]

I don't think I could do it. I realize that it is probably one of the safest means of transportation but I would never forgive myself if something happened and my child was on the plane and I couldn't get to him or her.
Just my opinion.

I don't knock anyone who lets their child fly alone because I'm sure it is a very exciting and safe experience.