Thoughts about unaccomanied Minor and being bumped?

[eeyoresbestfriend]

Hi Everyone! I just have a question I thought someone here might be able to help with. my son is 8, and will be flying on Southwest by himself on a non-stop flight to MCO. His dad will be at the gate to pick him up, but I am very nervous about this whole thing!!
Anyway, my main question is this- because he is an unaccompanied minor, I will get him to the airport 1 1/2 hours before the flight, where they will check him in, and assign him his flight attendent etc. My question is this- I know people can check in online 24 hours in advance- because my son is going to be by himself I will be doing it the morning of the flight. AS an unaccompanied minor, he will be pre- boarded. So Is there still a chance that he could get bumped from this flight? He is SO excited that he can hardly stand it, and I would hate for it to fall through because we checked in too late- what do you all think? Will we be okay? Thanks for any thoughts! I seem to bethe only one nervous about this for him!!

 

[CarolA]

I don't think you have to worry about a bump. SW actually has a very low involuntary bump rate and since they have him as an unaccompanied minor and are probably charging you the fee I wouldn't worry at all. My only advice is to stay at the gate until the plane is IN the air, (I know you will anyway, but...) That way if there is a mechancial, weather etc delay you are there with your son.

You will be able to go all the way to the gate with him and actually if you are checking luggage I might arrive about two hours early. You will have to stand in the line at the counter (no curbside, kiosk, etc) so give yourself plenty of time so you don't stress and have a panic attack! LOL! (These things are always harder on the moms!!)

 

[eeyoresbestfriend]

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement!! I will try very hard not to have apanic attack- my son is SO excited that it would just ruin the time for him! Ikonw in myhead that he willbe fine, he is very responsible, but it's my heart that is having a hard time- he is getting so OLD!
He willnot be checking any bags, His dad just happens to be inthat area for work and willbe taking leave, my daughter and I willbe driving down and arriving the next day, so a carry-on will work fine! thanks again fort he thoughts, I know it willall be fine! SW actually says that I HAVE to stay untilt he plane is inthe air- not that I would leave!! Thanks again!

 

[seashoreCM]

Ain't gonna happen.

They will bump somebody else instead of a recognized (paid) unaccompanied minor who followed all of the rules except for checking in last or failing to get an advance seat assignment. Period.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[pickles]

Thank you so much for the words of encouragement!! I will try very hard not to have apanic attack- my son is SO excited that it would just ruin the time for him! Ikonw in myhead that he willbe fine, he is very responsible, but it's my heart that is having a hard time- he is getting so OLD!
He willnot be checking any bags, His dad just happens to be inthat area for work and willbe taking leave, my daughter and I willbe driving down and arriving the next day, so a carry-on will work fine! thanks again fort he thoughts, I know it willall be fine! SW actually says that I HAVE to stay untilt he plane is inthe air- not that I would leave!! Thanks again!

This is a dumb question and fits into the none of my business category, but why in the world would you fly a kid somewhere if you are going to be there the next day by car? I have tried coming up with some reasons why that plane ticket is worth it and I am at a loss.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I agree about the reason being of no concern to anyone except the OP and her family, but...
ºOº Son is able to leave before mom and daughter
ºOº Car is a two-seater
ºOº Car will be full of stuff
ºOº Son WANTS to fly
ºOº Extra quality time alone with dad

 

[bavaria]

And remember that 8 is middle aged to some airlines for UM's - at least one North American airline allows children to fly unaccompanied from the age of 5.

To each their own.

 

[bavaria]

I agree about the reason being of no concern to anyone except the OP and her family, but...
ºOº Son is able to leave before mom and daughter
ºOº Car is a two-seater
ºOº Car will be full of stuff
ºOº Son WANTS to fly
ºOº Extra quality time alone with dad

• a responsible parent who trusts her child and is giving him the gift of independence
• a wise mother who is giving her child a sense of adventure

 

[eeyoresbestfriend]

I just figured I would reply since I am the OP and haven't replied yet. The reason I am letting him fly alone, is well, he really wants to, and he is getting extra time with his dad, I will be driving 12 hours with only one child as opposed to 2, and my husband and son have tickets for the Braves vs Tigers Spring training game that afternoon. I cannot leave here until that afternoon due to a prior commitment.
I did not take offence to your asking. Being a military child, my son has flown a lot- just not alone. I am using this as a lesson in responsibility, and my trust in him. He is so excited, that he asks about it everyday and has a countdown on our calendar. Any other questions feel free to ask!

And Thanks to everyone for your thoughts on the matter! I really appreciate them all

 

[mareed]

Just a little moral support here.

My 2 boys are very seasoned flyers (as you can see from my sig) and have flown alone on SW to visit Grandparents and other family each Summer since they were 5 & 8. I'm not sure I'd trust another airline just because I'm not familiar with their unacompanied minor policies, but I'm very comfortable with SW!

I do have a question about why you wouldn't check your son in on-line 24 hours ahead of time... I agree with others here that there is virtually no chance that your son will be involuntarily bumped, but I'd still check in 24 hours ahead of time. I guess if he's on a youth fare, you couldn't check-in ahead of time...

If you haven't seen it already, you can see a copy of the information you'll need to fill out at the airport and which they'll place in a lanyard that he'll wear while he's on the plane. SW typically seats unacompanied minors together on the plane if there are several. They'll either be the first of last off the plane depending on how busy/full it is. Your DH will need to go the ticket counter at the arrival airport and get a document to get through security so he can go to othe gate and be waiting. A SW worker will check your DH's ID before having DH sign that he is picking up your son. You probably already know all this works, but thought I'd share just in case you didn't. If you have any other questions about how this works on SW, feel free to ask!

Best of luck with your travels! I'm sure it will be just fine with SW!

 

[eeyoresbestfriend]

Thanks for the advice- I guess I just didn't think he could be checked in 24 hours ahead because he is unaccompanied- he is on an adult fare, so I can check him in early then? I thought I had to wait to get to the ticket counter- because I have to go there first right? Thanks- since you have been doing this often- you check your children in 24 hours ahead? Thanks for the help again I guess I will go ahead and do that then!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

It really doesn't matter if you check him in 24 hours ahead. He will not be bumped and will be allowed to pre-board. As long as he is checked in 30 minutes before departure (not that you would wait that long, but I believe that is their policy) he will not be denied boarding. Bumping unaccompanied minors is a big no-no in the airline industry.

I hope your son has a blast!

Thanks for the advice- I guess I just didn't think he could be checked in 24 hours ahead because he is unaccompanied- he is on an adult fare, so I can check him in early then? I thought I had to wait to get to the ticket counter- because I have to go there first right? Thanks- since you have been doing this often- you check your children in 24 hours ahead? Thanks for the help again I guess I will go ahead and do that then!

 

[eeyoresbestfriend]

Again, thank you all SO much for the advice. I will report back on how the flight went after he arrives!

 

[cajunfan]

I would not bother checking him in online. He will be pre boarded on SWA. You WILL BE able to accompany him to the gate (SWA gives you a security voucher at the counter...you have to go to the counter to get this and to fill out all the paperwork that he is "tagged" with, so why not check in there. SWA will normally not let you leave the gate area until the plane is in the air...or at least that has been my experience here at the Nashville Airport. My son has flown SWA many times unacompanied...he visits family during the summer...got to go hang out with the cousins! He, like your son, was an experienced flyer when he started traeling by himself.

Hope you all have fun!

Lynn

PS..I sti am nervous about it until I get that call from whoever is picking him up at the airport that he is with them...and he has done this alot!

 

[karla63]

I second and third the comment about letting children fly alone at a young age. My husband works for the airlines(and of course we fly for free), but our daughter started flying by herself at the age of 5(but only on direct flights). Now she is 16 and has flown to Europe(2000-10 yrs old) and Australia (2006-15yrs old) by herself. She loves to fly and travel too. She is one of those that when she finds her seat, she immediately buckles herself in and doesn't bring the seat tray down until told to do so. My 10 yr old is the same way. Wish some adults were the same way. Just some simple rules to follow if you want to fly.

 

[gigi1313]

SeashoreCM: <<I wish they made calculators that recorded and could visually play back every keystroke. Then when I add up a column of numbers three times and get three different answers I can find the mistake.>>

they do! they're called adding machines and they give you a tape (like a cash register receipt) w/all your numbers right there for your perusal!

totally off topic, i know! sorry!

 

[eeyoresbestfriend]

You guys have been great! I guess I just keep thinking about it and findong more things to worry about. His flight leaves out of Dulles at 725 Am so I will go tot the ticket counter at the airport about 6AM they will be opened right?! I am just finding any little thing to worry about now!! Thanks again for all of the help and the encouragement!

 

[bavaria]

yes, most ticket counters open around 5am - so 6am will be fine. Just be aware that early morning is the busiest time of day for most airports, IAD included, for departing flights.

 

[eeyoresbestfriend]

Thanks, maybe I'll get there a little bit earlier then! I'm bringing a book to read while I wait fort he plane to take off, so If we are early, it's just more reading for me!

 

[bavaria]

and don't forget IAD is a 'temporary' airport and still has the nifty mobile lounges... very few gates avoid the mobile lounges, and since the new train isn't ready, you'll need to give yourself a few extra minutes for that (although I can't vouch for SW gates never having flown them)