What age would you let your child fly alone?

[rparmfamily]

Thanks for your input guys!

Honestly, this freaks me out too-- (happened here)
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_molest_080124/

 

[kaytieeldr]

No way I would let my kid fly alone until there were well into their teenage years. It is different today, most airlines don't pay attention like they used to, to children, and with all the delays and bumped flights, it isn't worth it.

My hubby was on a flight with a little girl, nobody on the airline watched out for her, they had a 3 hour delay in their connection because the original flight missed the connection. They were all very tired and hungry, the airlines did nothing for the little girl, thank goodness all of the adults took care of her and fed her.

Honestly, with my vast knowledge/limited experience regarding unaccompanied minors, I'd have been 'discussing' this situation with a variety of employees in the airport during that wait.

My experience is limited to a Southwest Flight Attendant asking me if a six year old UM could sit with me, which was fine. He was really well-behaved and a lot of fun - at least I thought so; the man trying to sleep in the window seat wasn't so amused - but when he needed to go to the bathroom and no FA answered the call button, and I started to get up just to get him going in the right direction, one showed up and stopped me (politely) and took responsibility for him. When we landed, they asked us to all wait on the plane until he was in the terminal with his dad!

I don't care that the airline in your husband's experience had 'more important matters' (which is, I'm sure, what they'd have said if asked). If she's young, they charged her parent/guardian to allow her to fly because she would need extra attention - then they neglected to provide it? Ha!

Okay, I now have three fields: 'real' job, CSR; potential career, stand-up comic; hobby, unaccompanied minor activist

 

[Kika]

I'm not sure at what age I will let my DD fly alone, but for what it's worth, based on the circumstances you describe I think you are making the right call.

 

[scottishduffy]

My cousin T was flying alone from the age of 4, due to custody agreements and his parents living in different states.

I began to fly alone at the age of 8 to and from summer camp. It was usually two flights about 1.5 hours each with a transfer in the middle. I always enjoyed it and usually begged my mom to make my layover in Raleigh as opposed to Atlanta sine i liked the the Raleigh food court better! I actually didn't like the 'airline guardians' that much and ran away from them regularly.


If the child was an indepent kid then I would allow it. However, if you daughter is a bit more timid I would hold off. It is a good skill to have (how to navigate an airport on your own), but only when you're ready for it.

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

DH is an Airline pilot so he tells me about the few flights that don't go as planned. Planes out of service, weather delays, Diverted landings.

One winter flight was supposed to land in NYC but ended up landing in Ct and all the passengers had to find their own ways to NYC. The diverted landing wasn't the Airlines fault so they didn't arrange transport.

He has also heard of Flight Attendants taking UMs home /crashpad or hotel with them when UMs were stranded overnight.

He wouldn't put one of his own children on a flight as an unaccompanied minor just for those few times when things don't go as scheduled and our oldest just turned 17.
But he is a very protective Dad.

 

[bekkiz]

I think it would really depend on the kid, the flight and the time of year. I flew by myself from CA to Orlando at 6.5 and from CA to Tokyo at 12. But I was a pretty independent kid. I know I would not hesitate to send my kids alone, if they were pretty confident, but I also know that I am the best judge of my kid, and I wouldn't let anyone bully me if I didn't think they were ready. Stay strong mom

 

[dimimi]

How far? Would you let your child fly 13 hrs ALONE on a flight?

Yeah, because my FIL thinks I'm being an overprotective mom because there is NO way my 9 yr old DD is flying from Hawaii to West Virginia. ALONE. And temperment wise, she's sensitive and was upset at going to camp last year (sobbed!) so I can't imagine her on a plane by herself, the flights are just way too long.

I think she would have to fly direct, so I think maybe Cincy would be the closest direct flight from Honolulu, and that's about 12 hrs in the air.

Anyway, what age would you let your child fly alone?

Wow...I wouldn't even think of a 9 year old! I might let my 16 year old son...on a nonstop!

 

[Starbrite]

I used to fly from Pgh to Phoenix alone starting around age 10. I also flew from Pgh to Paris alone @ 15. I was fine.

However, I can't imagine either of my kids doing it anytime in the near future - DD8 or DS13.

 

[samshane]

I would let my kids 11, 9 ,and 7 fly alone to visit my mom in Vegas (about 2hrs) but they won't go - LOL. I wouldn't let them fly alone though - but together (or even my 2 older girls), I think they'd be fine. They just don't seem ready for something like that.

But if circumstances were different (like Dh and I were divorced and he had visitation), I might think differently.

 

[Katy Belle]

Last summer my oldest had just turned 14. He flew from Omaha to Canada, and had a layover, so I made him fly unaccompanied minor. He hated that, by the way . But with a layover and customs on the other end...I wouldn't think of any other way! This summer he's flying a non-stop to Phoenix and a flight with one layover to South Carolina. I know he can handle it this year.

I have a DS that just turned 10. There is no doubt that he is not ready for such a thing! And my DS12...he would wander off!

You know your kiddo...9 is pretty young!

 

[tasha99]

I flew from Boston to Portland, Oregon and back (usually having to change flights with the help of flight attendants) twice a year from 3rd grade on due to custody issues.

I wouldn't have a problem with letting my kids fly unaccompanied. I don't think the world is any more dangerous than it used to be; we just talk about it more. I also think my child is more likely to get hurt somewhere close to home than on a plane or in an airport full of police/security officers (even the molestation case brought up by one poster happened with the parents on board the plane--their presence didn't stop that.)

 

[dezimber]

My oldest nephew was around 6 or 8 from LAX to Chicago, direct flight, to visit his dad during the summers. He went each year until he went to live with his dad the second year of high school. His brother was 8 or 10 when he started going with his brother; he was older before he went because of his personality. They are 21 and 16 now so these visits were pre 9-11.

 

[poohbear8]

I flew alone every summer to visit my dad from ages 6-15 on a 2 hour flight. I don't think I would send my kids younger than 13 alone now. Even though they would be watched, I'd still not be comfortable with it.

 

[Planogirl]

I flew from Houston to Amsterdam when I was 14 but I don't know about doing so at 9.

 

[golfgal]

For me it isn't so much the age as the length of the flight and that you can't get a direct flight. I wouldn't do this.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

How far? Would you let your child fly 13 hrs ALONE on a flight?

Yeah, because my FIL thinks I'm being an overprotective mom because there is NO way my 9 yr old DD is flying from Hawaii to West Virginia. ALONE. And temperment wise, she's sensitive and was upset at going to camp last year (sobbed!) so I can't imagine her on a plane by herself, the flights are just way too long.

I think she would have to fly direct, so I think maybe Cincy would be the closest direct flight from Honolulu, and that's about 12 hrs in the air.

Anyway, what age would you let your child fly alone?

Depends on the kid. My oldest was travel ready early however she did not fly "alone" until she was 16, I think. She had flown with groups starting in 8th grade, about 14yo.

My youngest who is 13, I have no clue when she is going to be able to fly alone. She hates flying to the point of some flying anxiety and it really hurts her ears.

To be honest, I would not send my kid to visit anyone who thinks they should be able to fly alone that far at age 9. Your FIL sounds like an insensitive person to your dd's needs. So nope, would NOT happen! Unless he comes up and escorts her back and forth he can go pound sand. (Exception is.....Unless the kid was a seasoned traveler because of circumstances.)

 

[clh2]

We let our DD fly solo at 15, from Wisconsin to Florida, changing planes in Atlanta. She went tovisit an aunt and uncle. While DD would have loved to have done this a little earlier, we opted to wait until she was technically old enough to fly this itinerary by herself, as opposed to being an unaccompanied minor.

I am not an "overprotective" parent. We've encouraged DD to do many things. There is NO WAY I would have let her fly that long, wtih plane changes by herself. NO WAY. My DD is VERY responsible, and always has been. But still, NO WAY would she have taken that trip at 9. DD is now 16, and today, I probably wouldn't even give this a second thought, depending on the opportunity, I would most likely encourage her to go from Wis to Hawaii

 

[SnowWhite607]

I have a very sensitive, shy 9 year old DD also and there is no way in heck I would let her fly alone that far. If she even wanted to, which I doubt she would.

Is there no way that FIL can fly to you and then fly back to his home with her. Then on the return, you could fly to them and get her and the 2 of you fly home. Some custody agreements are written like that when one parent is far away from the other.

Also, FIL sounds like he is being a bully and I, for one, would not stand for that. He needs to realize that your DD is YOURS, not his. Other people cannot dictate when you can do or cannot do with your minor child. And so what if you are being overprotective (which I dont think this is an example of at all). Its not his call to make about how you raise your child! I cannot stand it when someone, in real life or a stranger, feels it is their duty or right to tell others how to raise their own children. It may not be the way HE did it, but that doesnt make you wrong!

Is this a custody thing or are you with DD's dad? What does he have to say about this?

 

[raysnkaysmom]

When I was 7, I flew from Los Angeles to Atlanta, with a layover in Dallas, all alone. Of course, that was back in 80 or 81... and a flight attendant kinda watched over me. I loved it.
But...now adays, no way would my kid that young.
My oldest is 14... and I'd probably let her fly here from Atlanta to California to visit fam....
But, not my 9 yr old... she's not ready.

Its all about the kid, and your feelings on it. No right or wrong time.

 

[paintnolish]

I would vary on the child. DS, 10, could probably handle it. He's very independant and has no problem asking for help or talking to adults. He doesn't get freaked out easily. DD, 9, on the other hand...no way! She can be very shy. It would be a nightmare. That being said,I still wouldn't let ds fly until he was teenager. DD...who knows!