“Is she going to be okay? Are they really going to keep an eye on her?”
– Kimberly, Mother
For some families, putting kids on a plane without a parent along is part of the travel plan. Most airlines charge between $75 to $100 each way to escort a child flying solo. What can parents do to put themselves – and their kids at ease?
Ten-year-old Taylor has spent the entire summer away from her mom. "At first I was scared," Taylor says, "but then when I got on (the plane) it was fun."
Taylor’s mother was scared as well when Taylor boarded the plane two months ago. "Is she going to be okay? Are they really going to keep an eye on her?" Kimberly worried.
In the peak of the summer travel season, an estimated 20,000 children, some as young as five, fly "unaccompanied" across the United States. And the airlines almost never misplace a child. Still, lots of other things can go wrong.
"Delays do happen, cancellations happen, diversions happen. This is part of flying today," says John Kennedy, a spokesman for Delta Airlines.
Experts say parents should reassure and empower their children. "Provide the child with emergency telephone numbers to travel with and also the travel itinerary for the child to have on their person," says Kennedy.
Also consider booking during daytime hours, on non-stop flights and in an aisle seat close to the flight crew. That way your child is always in sight. But, above all else ask yourself, "is my child mature enough to handle the trip?"
"Now that she’s starting to mature and broaden her horizons in other things I feel that right now she was able to handle flying on her own," says Ross.
Even so, Taylor’s not sure she wants to do it again anytime soon. "I might not want to leave my mother for this long again."
What We Need To Know
Most airlines have specific policies and guidelines in place for children flying solo (unaccompanied minors).
To avoid the problem of missing connecting flights, some airlines will allow unaccompanied minors to fly only on non-stop flights or on flights that do not change planes. Other airlines will accompany younger children to connecting flights. However, older kids, ages 12 and up, are not necessarily routinely escorted to connecting flights by airline personnel.
The Independent Traveler and AAA have these tips when it comes to children flying alone:
- Discuss special needs with the travel agent or airline ahead of time.
- Consider booking non-stop flights. If you must use connecting flights, consider sending your child through airports where relatives or friends are nearby.
- Don’t leave the airport until your child’s plane has taken off.
- Be sure to find out exactly who will be meeting your child upon arrival at his destination. You will be required to provide the name of this person to the airline upon check in. Give your child a picture of the person meeting him or her — with the full name, address and phone number written on the back. Make sure that person is carrying identification, as well.
- To ease anxieties before your child’s first flight alone, take him on a visit to the airport. Show him the areas where he can have questions answered or receive assistance. Familiarize him with uniformed airport personnel.
- Be sure to explain to you child that she should never leave the airport alone or with a stranger.
- Your child should carry identification and a small amount of cash for emergencies.
- Avoid booking the last flight of the day. If there’s a delay and the connection is missed, you child may be stuck overnight. Tell your child to contact airline personnel if this should happen.
- Provide your child with books, quiet games, and easy to manage snacks to enjoy during the flight. Earphone-style cassette players may be used; however, radios may not be operated during flight.
- Just because a 5-year-old is permitted to fly solo, that doesn’t mean that your 5-year-old will be able to handle flying alone, especially if your child hasn’t flown before. Parents should use common sense and make a decision based on their own child’s level of maturity.
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