Southwest is now requiring ID for kids?

[zakatak]

I just got off the phone confirming up our reservations for Thursday and the representative said, "All adults over 18 need photo ID and all children need either their birth certificate, shot records or school ID". Huh? I said, "This is new...". Yep.

Ok, now the birth certificates are coming with... I wonder if I could just make a copy of them? Guess I should of asked...

Oye.

K

 

[dvc guy]

This must be a SW rule. TSA/FAA requires photo ID for each person over 17 or 18. We flew Delta last year and American 2 times and they never asked for ID, nor did anyone from TSA from DD 10 and DS 6.

 

[mcnuss]

In that case, you'd need proof of their ages. Otherwise, I can't imagine why they'd require this. I would suggest calling again and ask to speak to a supervisor.

 

[zakatak]

OK, I just called them again (as suggested) and a different person said that they RECOMMEND you have proof, but they don't normally ask for it. BUT, if they ask for it, you'd better have something! lol

He also said that a COPY of birth certificate is acceptable.

I'm used to crossing the Canada/US border lately, so I have copies of their birth certificates handy... I'll just make an extra one to carry down there, I'll add it to my stack (Itinerary, copy of tickets, resort confirmations, SW confirmation, etc...). I think I need a three ring binder!

Hey, Hey, I'm off in only 6 days! (5 if you read my counter!)...

K

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Very interesting and helpful information, thank you.
I looked on SWA's site and found a few indications that id was required, most especially for "youth fares".

Youth Fare
Youths who are at least 12 years of age but who have not reached their 22nd birthday can fly to any of our cities, any time of the day or night, at the applicable Youth Fare. A valid picture I.D. proving age will be required at time of ticket purchase and at time of travel. Call Southwest Airlines Reservations for details.

This btw, is not new.

Glad you called back and got more information. I can see this as both a plus (kidnapping could be averted) and a minus ( heck of a note to get there and not have ID for the kids.)

 

[NotUrsula]

SWA has also always required proof of age for lap babies, unless they are so young as to be not sitting up yet. They do it to stop people who lie about childrens' ages to get better fares.

I think it's just a good idea to have some kind of ID for everyone when you travel, in case of emergency. We always carry small photocopies of our passport ID pages when we travel, even within the US, as it is photo ID and valid for nearly every purpose.

 

[CarolMN]

FWIW, I think birth certificates as "proof of identity" are worthless. How could anyone be sure that the certificate presented belonged to a particular individual/child? My daughter's birth certificate certainly doesn't have a picture on it and I can't imagine a picture of very much help as the child ages, anyway. Also, I don't think it is very hard to get a copy of a birth certificate. I don't remember having to show any ID to get one - in fact, I think I ordered copies over the phone. But maybe things have changed - she's 22 now (and has her own state-issued, photo ID).

The only logical use for birth certificates by an airline is "proof of age" for age-restricted fares. And if someone is really bent on "cheating" on the airfare (or kidnapping), it probably wouldn't be all that hard to get a birth certificate to "prove" whatever one needed to prove.

IMHO, airlines that require birth certifcates for young children traveling domestically with their parent(s) are just creating extra hassles for the parent(s)! Of course, they get to make the rules and we either have to follow them or choose another option.

Have a wonderful trip, zakatak!

 

[heart4pooh]

My 15 yr old just flew SWA last week to Ft. Lauderdale. Half way into our 3 hr drive to the airport he told me he left his new permit at home so he wouldn't lose it on vacation!!! I called SWA they said he would need proof of his age, birth certificate, school record, etc. I was upset because we did not have time to go back to get it. Knowing that when I call CRO I often get a different answer, I called SWA again. The nice lady on the phone said that as long as he doesnt look twelve it shouldn't be a problem (He's 250 lb and has facial hair!!) It wasn't a problem. At the final gate the guy wrote on the ticket that he was 15. I was worried because he had to switch planes in Tampa. Everything was fine, except the lightening storm he said he flew through out of Tampa!!! I mailed down his permit for the return flight!!!

 

[holidaybarb]

Just got off a SW flight MCO to IND this afternoon. We had six children with us and no one was asked for ID except adults.

 

[Laz]

I just escorted 8 high school kids on Delta to Dallas out of Indy. Delta asked for IDs on students IF they had to help them at the ticket counter. In other words, if I could get their boarding pass thru the kiosok (sp?), not a problem. If they needed help from a ticket agent, they wanted an ID.