PLEASE HELP... should our 13 year old travel alone to or from WDW?

[moopdog]

This is a double post since I also posted on travel board...really need info quick and hope this doesn't bother anyone. Here's the post:

[See my other post for more detailed info] I'm talking about my Dsd13 who it looks like won't be going to WDW with us after all. This is something in the back of my mind that I haven't presented to her or DH yet, because I don't know if it's doable...

Her flying down with us and spending 3 or 4 nights/days at Disney. Then flying home alone, to continue the week at school. This would allow her to only miss 3 days of school vs 7. Big difference! Also she would get to go and then by the time she got kind of sick of the vacation (bound to happen) she can go back to her mother's house and not miss school.

Will they allow a 13 year old to travel alone? How will she get to MCO from resort through ME... will they make sure she gets to her flight, checks luggage etc? Will they make sure she gets her connecting flight in Atlanta? Will someone be there to help her in Atlanta??? IS this even an option? Can this work? (yes I know I'm freaking out).
Please help me!!


Our trip is in 5 days... I need to get this thing worked out!

 

[califred]

She is old enough to travel alone according to the airlines. They do have a rule about direct flights only until a certain age, but I don't know what that age is.

When I was a kid and would go visit my dad 12 was the cut off for the airline helping kids and being sure they got where they were going. That however was a long time ago.

 

[MainStreetFan]

I work for a major airline that doesn't have a hub in atlanta. All kids age 14 and under are required to fly as unaccompanied minors. Someone must take them to the airport, the adult will get a pass to take them to the gate and has to stay there until their plane is off the ground. At any connecting city they are met by an agent who will escort them to their next flight. If they have a more than an hour or so, they will be taken to the Young Travelers Club to wait. TV, videos and snacks or pop are available here, just for asking (no extra charge). The person picking them up needs to be there plenty early and go to the ticket counter to get a pass and then meet the child at the gate when they arrive. There is a fee involved and paperwork to be filled out. Each agent and flight attendent that has responsibility for your child will sign the paperwork. Hope this helps.

 

[Daydreamer64]

I live about 15 mins from the airport in Atlanta-Please Do NOT let het come for a layover here unless she has an adult with her such as an airline employee- as far as Orlando- why can't you meet her at the airport and then take her back to make sure that she gets to the gate ( in Atl. you can't go with the passengers past the luggage pick-up unless they have special needs- they will give you a pass to go to the gate in cases like that ) or ask an airline employee to take her to the gate? I don't know what the cut off age is for flying alone- if it was a non-stop flight- I'd say sure if she has someone to meet her and to drop her off- I've taught middle school here and subed for years in our local school system and I know 13 year old kids- most are pretty responsible but please realise that it will not be her that finds trouble- bad people look for young unescorted girls--

I'm from a small town in NW PA. and my family knows everybody in that town and they don't think twice about letting their kids stay out late in the evening or walk anywhere they want to go but here in Atlanta- no way - and we live in a nice middleclass neighborhood too.

 

[ksdave]

It is doable if you want to take her to MCO and escort her to the gate, if her Mom will meet her at the gate on the other end, AND if you are willing to pay the fee. The airlines are very good at handling this.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

I have never flown out of ATL without major delays/cancellations (flying into NYC which might make a difference).

That is the part that would make me nervous. Maybe you could see if switching to a direct flight or less crowded airport for a connection would be possible and what the change fees would be.

I would take her to the airport myself and have her mom pick her up at the other end...

Hope it all works out! Good Luck!

 

[KathylovesPooh]

By all means, call the airline to get specifics about what they will or won't do. I know there are guidelines but certainly things will change airline to airline. Make sure you are comfortable with the air portion.

I agree with another poster who said you should take her directly to the airport and get her checked in and make sure she is picked up at the other end. They won't let you go past the security check point without a ticket but you can be with her until there.

Most importantly, how will your DSD feel. I know my DD12 would be nervous and would fret the entire trip and thus it would not be worth it.

 

[moopdog]

Guess what - there's no way we'll do it. I only had to think about it for about 5 minutes. It's too risky/scary too many variables to worry about. It doesn't help that my stepdd is naive and very very developed for her age. No lie - she looks like about 20 years old. I would hate it if people assumed she was older than she actually is.

Done deal - I guess it won't happen.

Thanks to all of you for the info.