Family Question about Checking in at Airport

[Forever a Princess]

Hello,

My FIL and MIL are both turning 70 this year. My FIL is splurging and taking us all to Disney World!!!

My SIL will be checking in for herself and my Niece (11) and Nephew (15) at the airport they are flying out of.

We do not have kids so we want to make sure we have checked out every detail for her in advance (this will be her first time trying). We have researched both the Southwest Airline and TSA websites.

From what we have found our Sister in Law needs her photo ID to check in bags at the Southwest counter and at the Security Line.

Is this correct or does she need to bring something (photo Id or copy of Birth Certificate) for the kids??

Take care,
Renee

 

[Hannathy]

kids need no ID for TSA, They need no ID to fly unless they are on a special fare like an under 2 lap baby. (there are a few rare child fares that need proff of age but the chance they are on one of this is extremely rare) with regular tickets they need nothing.

So the kids need nothing but your SIL does need photo ID, you are correct.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Please note that while the kids need no ids, they do need to be physically present at the check-in desk if they are checking any bags.

 

[msmama]

If the kids do have ID's though, I would take them. I'd even toss in a copy of the birth certificate, too (especially if the 15 year old looks old for his age). just to make sure there's no hassle.

I'm about 50/50 with taking my son's passport (he's 6). If I give it to them (TSA) they look at it, but they never ask for it if I don't.

Kids 12 and under don't need to take off shoes and jackets anymore.

 

[DopeyDame]

Children under 16 don't need any from of ID to travel. Have a great trip!

 

[Hannathy]

If the kids do have ID's though, I would take them. I'd even toss in a copy of the birth certificate, too (especially if the 15 year old looks old for his age). just to make sure there's no hassle.

I'm about 50/50 with taking my son's passport (he's 6). If I give it to them (TSA) they look at it, but they never ask for it if I don't.

Kids 12 and under don't need to take off shoes and jackets anymore.

I would never take a passport anywhere I absolutely didn't need to. The risk of loss and what can happen is to great.

Kids do not need an ID until they are 18. So no problems with the 15 yr old

 

[pjacobi]

I once had a TSA agent asked my early teen daughter for her name. I tried to respond for her, but the TSA agent stopped me from answering. The TSA agent required my daughter to answer the question directly.

I assume this this was done to prevent child kidnapping. I've only had this happen once in many flight with my daughter, so I suspect that this was just an extra random security measure.

-Paul

 

[jess1662]

If the kids do have ID's though, I would take them. I'd even toss in a copy of the birth certificate, too (especially if the 15 year old looks old for his age). just to make sure there's no hassle. I'm about 50/50 with taking my son's passport (he's 6). If I give it to them (TSA) they look at it, but they never ask for it if I don't. Kids 12 and under don't need to take off shoes and jackets anymore.

We always take a copy of our kids' birth certificates, too, just in case.

 

[dpswift]

Our experience last month. My son was asked his name and age. I brought his Passport because his hair is so long he is sometimes mistaken for a girl.

When in line he was told to keep his shoes on.

On the way back they had a new scanner the woman running it asked him his age and sent the 2 of us through the old one since he was only 12.

 

[Hannathy]

Our experience last month. My son was asked his name and age. I brought his Passport because his hair is so long he is sometimes mistaken for a girl.

When in line he was told to keep his shoes on.

On the way back they had a new scanner the woman running it asked him his age and sent the 2 of us through the old one since he was only 12.

What difference would it make if he was a thought of as a girl? He doesn't need ID or to prove anything. TSA doesn't care.

 

[Hannathy]

We always take a copy of our kids' birth certificates, too, just in case.

What would the "in case" be?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

What difference would it make if he was a thought of as a girl? He doesn't need ID or to prove anything. TSA doesn't care.

Because this happens: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...fe-kidnapped-Europe-2012-disguised-girls.html

 

[SmallWorld71]

As mentioned, the kids do not need I.D.
However, if they have not flown before, mom should definitely let them know that they could very well be asked questions by TSA and that they should just answer honestly. We fly every year and they almost always ask my kids their names and ages and they sometimes will point to me and ask them who I am, where they are traveling etc.. Some airports seem to ask more questions than others. Mom should also know that they are asking the kids, not her. As parents we tend to jump in with the answers sometimes.
TSA has also instructed my kids about their shoes. (12 and under do not need to take them off.)

 

[Hannathy]

Because this happens: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...fe-kidnapped-Europe-2012-disguised-girls.html

You are rather grasping at straws aren't you? I mean really!! I guess aliens could abduct them also......


I think the parent that is in the middle of an acrimonious divorce would be aware of the situation or possibility.


Can we please get back to reality? I always hear people say just in case and I really would like to know what they think the in case would be?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You are rather grasping at straws aren't you? I mean really!! I guess aliens could abduct them also......


I think the parent that is in the middle of an acrimonious divorce would be aware of the situation or possibility.


Can we please get back to reality? I always hear people say just in case and I really would like to know what they think the in case would be?

I'm not sure, as no one under age 18 needs an id for a domestic flight unless they are a lap baby or flying on an age restricted fare, which is rare. I don't know why people have so much trouble believing this.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Because this happens: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...fe-kidnapped-Europe-2012-disguised-girls.html

What in the world does this have to do with a US flight to WDW?

 

[DopeyDame]

As mentioned, the kids do not need I.D.
However, if they have not flown before, mom should definitely let them know that they could very well be asked questions by TSA and that they should just answer honestly. We fly every year and they almost always ask my kids their names and ages and they sometimes will point to me and ask them who I am, where they are traveling etc.. Some airports seem to ask more questions than others. Mom should also know that they are asking the kids, not her. As parents we tend to jump in with the answers sometimes.
TSA has also instructed my kids about their shoes. (12 and under do not need to take them off.)

My kids are almost always asked their name. They are little (2 and 5) Never once - not once - have they successfully answered the question. The 2 year old obviously is in her own little world anyway, but the 5 year old gets shy and hides behind my legs. (And my kids are actually race than I am, so it's not at all obvious that they are mine.)

Point is, they do ask but dont' stress about it - it doesn't seem to be at all relevant or effective. (Sorta like most of the other TSA security procedures )

 

[Forever a Princess]

Thanks for your replies all. Grandma is flying out with them. She has flown many times so were all set.

 

[msmama]

What would the "in case" be?

My "in case" is that my son and I have different last names (my name is on his passport and obviously birth certificate). I do know people with different last names who have been questioned. Do I really think it would be a problem? No, it could probably be answered very quickly but with "proof" it's not even an issue.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

The only time I have ever flown with a birth certificate for my kids is when they were flying as lap infants.

My kids have been asked their names by the TSA. Both my kids go by nicknames, not their legal names, so we always have to explain further.