Flying with other people children

[ColleenS]

So I'll be traveling to Orlando next summer with the girls I used to nanny for. The kids will be 12, 10, and 7.

Will I run into a problem at the airport? Flying with four kids that are not mine, and who have a different last name?

I tried Googling the answer but only found information on international travel.

Any other tips or tricks I need to know when traveling with someone elses kids?

Thanks,
Colleen

 

[MiniGirl]

I would make sure you have a letter (maybe notarized) from the parents stating that you are responsible for the children and giving you authority to make decisions regarding their care should the need arise. (Of course, it probably won't, but better safe than sorry.)

 

[Hannathy]

Nope no problem! Kids don't need ID to fly and as long as they all have tickets that is all the airlines care about. They don't care who you are flying with. Unless you are going out of the country no one will ask you anything.

The letter would be more for medical care if needed not to fly.

 

[MiniGirl]

Nope no problem! Kids don't need ID to fly and as long as they all have tickets that is all the airlines care about. They don't care who you are flying with. Unless you are going out of the country no one will ask you anything.

The letter would be more for medical care if needed not to fly.

Yes, I should have made that more clear. The letter is primarily for medical care. However, I believe it would allow the OP to stay with/accompany the child if they are randomly picked for a search or something like that. Again, it is something that isn't likely to happen, and it may not be upsetting to these particular children. Then again, it could be, and having a trusted adult close by would be nice for them.

 

[katied]

We've never had any trouble with air travel with DNiece and DNephew. They have different last names than us, and have flown with us multiple times. I wouldn't see any issue, esp. as the kids are old enough to explain any relationship.

These days, lots of kids even have different last names than their own mom, so I don't think it raises many red flags.

 

[tjmw2727]

No - you don't need anything extra to fly with kids, even if they are not your children and passengers 18 and under don't need ID.

I travel often as the solo adult with my kids as well as my neices and nephews and have never been asked any questions as to who I am traveling with or why. FWIW my neices have a different last name and are of a different ethnicity, still no issues.

OT, but as a pp suggested I do carry a notarized letter from their parents authorizing me to seek medical care in an emergency as well as their medical cards.

 

[ColleenS]

Excellent advice. Thanks.

I'll make sure to have a letter in case of medical emergencies.

 

[SnowandMittens]

Also, try contacting the airline to see if they have any suggestions... there might be a policy you're not aware of.

 

[lbuzz52]

i deal with this at work alot. we have a form letter that basically states that Child ___ has permission to travel with adult ___ and adult has permission to make medical decisions. then we have both parents sign it. sometimes we add the date and travel locations. we have never had to use it but better safe than sorry. and we always have it notarized.