Flying With a Family Friend's Child???

[leebee]

Just to throw a wrench in the monkey works, we have been questioned twice by the airlines as to whether or not DD is actually "mine," as we have different last names. These were both domestic flights. I think that what the airlines are "supposed" to do and what they actually "choose" to do might be two different things? Or maybe it's left to the discretion of the ticketing/gate agents (i.e., if a kid has a different last name and looks edgy, ask them where they are going and see if it's a reasonable response, or something like that?). I don't know… but twice in maybe 12 years I was asked to "prove' that DD should be traveling with me. It's always been an airline thing, not a TSA action. Fortunately we were traveling with her birth certificate, notarized by the City of San Francisco, which clearly lists me as her mother. (No problems in Philadelphia, but it was a little ugly in New Orleans- ticketing agent was on a real power trip.)

FWIW, I'd write up a permission to travel and a medical authorization form. Yup, the docs in the ER can call the parents, but why waste time and effort, and what if it's not a true emergency but a walk-in care situation? Besides, not every parent has a cell phone, not every cell is on all the time. Sure, there's no way to guarantee the letters aren't forged, but it's pretty standard to accept a notarized document. I, personally, would rather have the letters with me and not need them, than be asked for documentation and not have it!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Just to throw a wrench in the monkey works, we have been questioned twice by the airlines as to whether or not DD is actually "mine," as we have different last names. These were both domestic flights. I think that what the airlines are "supposed" to do and what they actually "choose" to do might be two different things? Or maybe it's left to the discretion of the ticketing/gate agents (i.e., if a kid has a different last name and looks edgy, ask them where they are going and see if it's a reasonable response, or something like that?). I don't know… but twice in maybe 12 years I was asked to "prove' that DD should be traveling with me. It's always been an airline thing, not a TSA action. Fortunately we were traveling with her birth certificate, notarized by the City of San Francisco, which clearly lists me as her mother. (No problems in Philadelphia, but it was a little ugly in New Orleans- ticketing agent was on a real power trip.)

.....

I have no idea why you were asked this information; it's not required, I've never seen it happen, and thousands of people travel domestically every day with children whose last names aren't the same as their own. I don't know why you didn't refuse to provide this information; I would have been asking for a supervisor. Maybe you just look suspicious,

 

[cleverclovers]

When our daughters go on trips with friends' families, we give the parents a note stating that our daughter is allowed to travel with them, the dates of travel, method of travel (i.e., car, air, train), and authorize the parents to seek medical care for our child if necessary. We also attach a copy of our Health Insurance Card. We type out our emergency contact information and have the letter notarized. Probably overkill (I work in a law firm), but we want to have all bases covered.

I also have the child get a state issued photo ID. Took my niece to Disney when she was nine. Guard at the airport asked her her name and questions when going through security. She gladly handed him her ID card and announced that she is going to Disneyworld.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I also have the child get a state issued photo ID. Took my niece to Disney when she was nine. Guard at the airport asked her her name and questions when going through security. She gladly handed him her ID card and announced that she is going to Disneyworld.

Absolutely unnecessary; TSA should not even look at id for children under 18. This just slows the security line.

 

[leebee]

I have no idea why you were asked this information; it's not required, I've never seen it happen, and thousands of people travel domestically every day with children whose last names aren't the same as their own. I don't know why you didn't refuse to provide this information; I would have been asking for a supervisor. Maybe you just look suspicious,

I don't care what you have seen or not seen, it DOES happen, and it happened to us twice. I mentioned that they guy at MSY was a jerk, and we DID get a supervisor as the agent was telling me if I couldn't prove that DD was mine, they could choose to take me into custody and put DD in protective services until we could produce the required legal documentation. We also missed our flight because of this and USAir didn't care at all, just booked us on the next flight to our destination- no real apology, no compensation for the hassle, etc.

I don't know why everyone has their panties in such a bunch about this. IF you are concerned, OP, get a notarized letter from the kid's parents saying she (a) has permission to travel with you, and (b) you have authority to make medical decisions. It isn't a big deal to get, you shouldn't need it at all, but these things happen, and as I previously posted, I sure rather have it and not need it than vice versa.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I don't care what you have seen or not seen, it DOES happen, and it happened to us twice. I mentioned that they guy at MSY was a jerk, and we DID get a supervisor as the agent was telling me if I couldn't prove that DD was mine, they could choose to take me into custody and put DD in protective services until we could produce the required legal documentation. We also missed our flight because of this and USAir didn't care at all, just booked us on the next flight to our destination- no real apology, no compensation for the hassle, etc.

I don't know why everyone has their panties in such a bunch about this. IF you are concerned, OP, get a notarized letter from the kid's parents saying she (a) has permission to travel with you, and (b) you have authority to make medical decisions. It isn't a big deal to get, you shouldn't need it at all, but these things happen, and as I previously posted, I sure rather have it and not need it than vice versa.

I believe your story, I just think there's a lot more to it.

Personally, I don't care what documentation people carry, however, when this question is asked here (and it is asked several times a week), I prefer to provide the factual information that no id of any kind is needed for children under age 18 on a domestic flight, unless they are a lap baby or flying on an age restricted fare.

Why don't people just go to the source for the rules in the first place?

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/acceptable-ids

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

When my mom travels with my daughter (7) I always write a letter of consent granting her full temporary legal custody of my daughter and also granting her the permission to make medical decisions for my daughter should the need arise. Very similar to a form you would fill out for camp or daycare. This makes us feel more secure in the event that something were to happen or in the event that my daughter falls ill and needs medical care. It may be helpful for you to have this form for your friends child in the event of an emergency. It should also list your full names and dates of birth and as much detail about the trip (dates/locations, etc).

If you have a bank account you should be eligible to get the copy notarized for free, although the parents would have to do this.

Its not 100% necessary, but I tend to take cautionary measures. Ive done this type of form many times, feel free to PM me if you have any questions

 

[seashoreCM]

deleted

 

[bluwater]

I do it at least once a year - my children have always brought friends along. Nothing is needed for domestic. The only time I was asked for a letter was returning to the U.S Virgin Islands from the British islands with my daughter's friend. US customs asked me for a letter. We didn't have one. They let me go but said to have it next time. Again, for domestic travel, no issues. I do ask kids to bring passports if they have them - makes everything easy breezy.

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't know… but twice in maybe 12 years I was asked to "prove' that DD should be traveling with me. It's always been an airline thing, not a TSA action. Fortunately we were traveling with her birth certificate, notarized by the City of San Francisco, which clearly lists me as her mother. (No problems in Philadelphia, but it was a little ugly in New Orleans- ticketing agent was on a real power trip.) ?...

I, personally, would rather have the letters with me and not need them, than be asked for documentation and not have it!

I totally agree about having things even if your I don't need them...though DS and I flew overseas separate from DH and I totally forgot to get anything in writing that he was ok with it. And, in fact, the dude at heathrow asked quite sternly where my husband was (after asking how I, as a homemaker, got the money for our trip lol), but was ok when I told him that DH was already in the country. Point of that is that I forgot and it was still ok.

But I do wonder why the ticketing agent got involved I asking for a minor's info like that? If I'm checking bags they've asked DS his name, but nothing more intense than that. He's hyphenated and some people don't really notice the names being similar. The only domestic questioning we get is at tsa but even that is simple.

I also have the child get a state issued photo ID. Took my niece to Disney when she was nine. Guard at the airport asked her her name and questions when going through security. She gladly handed him her ID card and announced that she is going to Disneyworld.

But they would have been fine with her simply answering. No ID was needed. Just a response with her name and answers to the questions he posed.

At MCO, before DS decided to call me by title vs name, he answered "and who is this woman?" with "Molly!" Which is, of course, the exact answer to the question and if they want a different answer they should ask the question they are actually curious about, so I let DS know that they were asking who I was to DS. And DS then said that I was his mom. He thought the tsa agent was a bit silly, asking one question when he meant another, but I get that most kids call parents by title and not name. (And now DS does , too, which rankles a bit but oh well)