Flying with someone else's child

[Minniedap]

Has anyone flown with a child that is not their own? My son and his wife will be flying with my niece's daughter on Midwest airlines. Will they need anything signed by the parents?

 

[bradk]

not for the airlines/tsa, not domestically. not even if the names are different.

some would advise you to have some sort of notarized document from the parents in the case of medical emergencies however.

 

[tjmw2727]

No - they won't need anything to fly with a minor. I have taken my neices and my nephew on several flights and even with different last names and different ethnic backgrounds we have never been asked for anything.

I do however take a copy of the childs insurance card and a notarized letter authorizing me to seek medical treatment for the child in the event of an emergency.

TJ

 

[Minniedap]

Thank you, we will be sure to get something notarized for medical purposes.

 

[blessedby3]

We have flown with DD's best friend and our nephew and have never needed anything special.

 

[PatsGirl]

I often have my children's friends vacation and thus fly with us. While I have never been asked at the airport for any information, I always request the parents send a copy of their birth certificate and a notarized letter that allows me to travel "to any place, at any time, by any means" and to "make any and all emergency medical decisions". I just have it incorporated into the same letter. Actually we do this so often, I have a form letter composed on the computer for just this purpose. That being said, I have the same letter from both of my kids' fathers. It might be overkill but I'd rather be safe than sorry and we've cruised with these kids as well so we are talking international travel sometimes too.

 

[puggymom]

I agree with Patsgirl. I have traveled with nieces and nephews and I always have a notarized letter stating that it is ok to travel and authorize medical treatment. In this day better to have it and not need it.

FWIW - am taking the Disney Quest for the West trip next month and when they heard I was taking my niece they suggested I have a letter that says ok to travel with her and authorize medical treatment.

 

[PatsGirl]

Thanks for the nod puggymom. I'm always concerned when we cruise because each country/island has their own laws, requirements, and restrictions and have always felt that being given FULL authority for everything was the only way to go. Can you imagine if you had someone's child who needed to be rushed by helicopter from one island to another in a totally different country only to be told it couldn't happen because of rules or lack of authority? No way, don't mind taking the extra kids but if you trust me enough to travel with them you'll have to trust me enough to make tough decisions if we can't get in touch.

 

[DonnaL]

You don't need anything for security or airlines, however, we've taken our grandson w/o mommy and we do take a signed statement giving us permission to seek medical treatment if necessary and also, his insurance cards.

 

[design_mom]

...I always request the parents send a copy of their birth certificate and a notarized letter that allows me to travel "to any place, at any time, by any means" and to "make any and all emergency medical decisions". I just have it incorporated into the same letter. Actually we do this so often, I have a form letter composed on the computer for just this purpose. That being said, I have the same letter from both of my kids' fathers. It might be overkill but I'd rather be safe than sorry...

For what it's worth, I think this is a good idea whenever your children are outside a parent's care, not just when they are traveling. (For instance, if you go on vacation and leave the kids home with Grandma...)