Unchaperoned 14yr. from MCO to Pop

[the kabuki]

MCO is very easy to navigate, was worried about that myself before I went.Take the 417.

My oldest is 11 and I can't imagine letting her go unaccompanied on a plane in 3 years. Hearing his story about the burns makes it all that more convincing that this boy should not be arriving with no one to be there. Teen-agers do stupid things, and there's too many wacko's in this world to take advantage of that. Leave kids and one of you in the room, so the other one can go get him.

I wouldn't advise the towncar option, too much left to chance. What if the driver you're expecting to be there is sick, doesn't show up to work that day, gets in an accident...new driver isn't given correct instructions. Sometimes these services can't even get arrival/departure pick-up times right, no telling what could happen.

Mears is out of the question, too large of a company, wouldn't know who you'd be dealing with.

God Bless you for being an angel in this childs' life. It sounds as if he sorely needs one.

 

[CarolA]

I am sorry, but you are letting a child who in your judgement "does not make good decisions" travel alone from the airport. This is just way to risky. Keep in mind that you are now assuming the responsiblity for this child. If something happens to him you could be liable regardless of if it was his bad decisions.

Also, you need some details on this JetBlue thing..... Most airline employees get "buddy tickets" to give to family/friends, but these are standby..... If that is true the child may not be on the flight you expect. You need to verify that he has a confirmed ticket! (I would call JetBlue once he gives you the flight number and find out.)

 

[Lewisc]

Originally I thought he should take Magical Express, I doubt they'll ask for ID but now I agree with Carol. After reading your updated post this isn't a teenager that I'd trust to find his own transportation.

Make sure he has a cell phone or pre-paid phone card. Have him call you right before he gets on the flight. Call Jet blue to get an updated arrival time and meet him in the airport.

 

[tjmw2727]

After reading all the information I must say good for you - you are obviously trying to do a wonderful thing.
although...

If it were me I couldn't in good consience not meet this child at the airport myself. I would make sure to be in touch with the party on the other end to make sure he gets on the flight (non-stop is the only option I would consider) and then keep track of the actual arrival time. I would be there waiting for him when he arrives. Remeber that you are the responsible party once he leaves the airport.

If there is no way he can travel with you I would either drive to the airport and meet him myself or take a town car to and from the airport to meet him in person. At least with the towncar you can relax and let someone else do the driving, it will cost approx $100.00 plus tip for the round trip from the resort to the airport and back.

Good luck working this out and have a great trip!
TJ

edited to add: Remember to get a consent for medical treatment of minors from his parents ~

 

[Rpsemont]

IMHO you should go pick him up. All the reasons have already been stated... he sometimes makes bad decisions, you may be liable if anything happens (never mind the fact of how I would feel if I was in you shoes, didn't pick up and a problem arose) Keep in mind, that while you may be tired, if a problem were to occur, trying to find the child in a mix up may take a whole day or more away from you family being able to enjoy the parks. Also, I would not underestimate a 14 year olds mind. Maybe he's looking for an excuse to get away from everyone for awhile and maybe is hoping this trip is his chance to break away. You never know with some kids. At least if you're there when the flight lands, you'll know you did all you could.

The only other option, after you find out his flight, is to maybe see if you can find another kind soul on these boards who is going to WDW at the same time and would volunteer to help out.

Good luck.

 

[antmaril]

I have been following this thread for a couple of days and have to add my two cents. There is absolutely no way I would let this boy travel from the airport to the hotel by himself. I know it's inconvenient to pick him up after a long day, but I really think it is the right thing to do. Would you be able to relax at all knowing he was on his own. The peace of mind is worth everything.

Pick him up - don't leave anything to chance -- and have a wonderful vacation.

 

[mom of five]

Everyone can rest easy--We are definately going to pick him up!

I was very worried about getting to and from MCO but after all the posts I now feel confident that we can do it. We will simply adjust our plans to his arrival time and it will all work out fine. I'm big on positive thinking.
Now I have to work on getting his parents to actually purchase a ticket instead of doing the freebie standby route.

I want to really thank everyone who posted. I felt like you all really cared.
I sure love feeling part of this great community we have.
-Melissa

Someone pmed me about having him take the Magical Express. However, I had already called and they said that minors must be accompanied by an adult.
I just had a thought--So that we don't have to drive to MCO--I wonder if we can check in at Pop, then one of us get on the magical express to go to MCO and meet him. That would work wouldn't it? No more driving for us and we would be able to meet him and it would be free and his luggage would be taken care of. I don't know if they will do this with only him (a minor) arriving at MCO and us just "meeting" him at MCO. I guess I'll have to investigate.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Good! I'm glad to hear you will be picking him up. The thought of a young teenager alone at the airport is scary.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Good! I'm glad to hear you will be picking him up. The thought of a young teenager alone at the airport is scary.

I am 15 and have been traveling alone since I was 12. Now that I am 15, I am not considered a unacommpanied minor. So now I do everything on my own. I dont see anything unsafe about a teenager alone at an airport. Any smart person should be able to get around them without a problems. Plus airports are one of the safest places to be!!!! Just imagine all the security plus the whole airport has constant monitoring by cameras. Just thought I would add traveling alone as a teen isnt a big deal.

Matt

 

[Lewisc]

I am 15 and have been traveling alone since I was 12. Now that I am 15, I am not considered a unacommpanied minor. So now I do everything on my own. I dont see anything unsafe about a teenager alone at an airport. Any smart person should be able to get around them without a problems. Plus airports are one of the safest places to be!!!! Just imagine all the security plus the whole airport has constant monitoring by cameras. Just thought I would add traveling alone as a teen isnt a big deal.

Matt

Many teens are safe traveling alone. You're probably in that group. Read this thread. The teen traveling alone recently got third degree burns because he and a friend were playing with matches and gasoline.

The question was how this teen could get from MCO to the hotel. After reading the follow up post many of us believe the teen should be picked up at MCO.

 

[laurfisher]

I am so glad that you will be able to meet at the airport. I have not been to Disney yet so I am just "guessing" here. Instead of going to PoP and to the airport, maybe you can arrange transportation from MCO to POP via Magical Expess for 1 adult, 1child. Have your husband drop you off at MCO and you and the other child can ride the shuttle together to POP. If the teenager doesnt have a cell phone, maybe you could walkie talkies ( check to see if you can use at airport) that have at least a 2 mile radius. Then you can find him easier. Also you could use the walkie talkies in WDW so if your group splits up you wont be looking all day for each other. We went to Darien Lake ( 7 yrs ago) not as big as WDW....with a group of friends. My friends and oldest son went on a ride, we planned to meet at a specific time and specific place. Somehow we lost each other and we looked and looked and never found each other unitl walking out of the gate at closing. We saw a few of the same strangers over and over but not the rest of our party! As easy as meeting times and places are it doesn't always work, its easy to get held up in line for a ride etc...

Just a few thoughts.....i would hope his parents could come up with money for a plane ticket....after all they dont have to pay for anything else on the trip....hopefully they appreciate what you are doing and make it safer and easier for all concerned to have a guranteed seat on the plane for their son. Maybe its just me but if that was my son I would 1) want him be on the flight not on standby and 2) I would be thankful a family was doing this for my son and I would not want to inconvience them
and to the 15 yr old traveler who has been traveling since he was 12....it is great that you are well versed and confident in your abilities to travel. you should be commended on your knowledge and experience. That is truly an accomplishment. your input was helpful in knowing many 15 yrs old ( and younger) have been traveling alone with not problems, and are completly safe. But not all people ( of any age ) feel confident or maybe not good at directions and finding where they need to be ( I am and adult traveling for the first time on a plane without my better half who is my map and my guide, so I am a bit nervous myself) But the bigger dilema is ...this lovely family is responsible for someone else's child and they want to be sure that everything goes smoothly.

 

[MickeyMouth]

Pick him up.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Many teens are safe traveling alone. You're probably in that group. Read this thread. The teen traveling alone recently got third degree burns because he and a friend were playing with matches and gasoline.

The question was how this teen could get from MCO to the hotel. After reading the follow up post many of us believe the teen should be picked up at MCO.

Yea, I understand about this teen. I was just posting that as a general comment. I sure hope that boy can have a wonderful trip at WDW

Matt

 

[lovingthemouse]

What a wonderful thing you are doing to enhance this boy's life...I, also, travel with students in the same age group/ they are never left alone, nor would i feel comfortable leaving them alone.
Please make certain that when this boy's parents entrust him to your care, you have all the medical history information, power of attorney to seek medical help if needed, a 2 sided copy of his medical insurance card and please pick him up- once he is off that plane, you are the one in charge and responsible!Consider him as one of your own from then on - would you really want him to have all that responsibility? Hope these suggestions help!