Sending child on flight as a unaccompanied minor

roses25

Has anyone ever sent their youngster on a direct flight as an unaccompanied minor? If so, how did it go?

Aiden wants to stay alone with his aunt that he is closest to. She lives 10 hours away from us, so really the easiest option for us all is probably sending him there on a plane. I asked him if he'd like to fly on an airplane to her by himself, and he went crazy excited over the idea. He's never stayed away from me, so even though it seems like a waste I'd probably send him in the morning and have him come back the evening of the next day for the first time we did this. He'd of course have the unaccompanied minor service that the airlines offer. Am I nuts for considering this with my 5 year old? I know my parents would have never been okay with any of us going on a flight like this, but I'm not my parents, and Aiden has been on several flights.

Shanny

Are you crazy for considering this? In a word, yes

You will pay an additional $100-$300 depending on the airline for him to travel as an unaccompanied minor.

We've recently spent nights away from each other for the first time ever over the last six months. It has been a process where she stayed at out house with my niece and sister, then she stayed at our house with a babysitter, then she stayed at my sisters house. I can't imagine just going from 0-60 since up until 6 months ago she had never slept anywhere other than right next to me. Last night we tried for her sleep at her gymnastics place what they call an all girls lock in. I had to go get her at 2 am. I'm totally ok with that but what would you do under those circumstances with him being so far away?

So, just my opinion but I would not put my child on a flight alone at age 5 and I wouldn't expect a child who has never spent a night away from me to fair well under these circumstances.

friendamy

for me and my child - I would not do it. not at 5. my son is 7 and a seasoned traveller and I still think 8-9 would be the youngest I'd even consider it.

my cousin has flown as an unaccompanied minor several times (on a one hour flight) from when she was 8, she's 11 now and does it at least once a year. but bring an unaccompanied minor doesn't mean they get a flight attendant to themselves. they're essentially on their own once they get seated. the helpers get them into their seats, and the disembarks with them and that's about it (as far as the flight goes).

at 5 I think kids need a lot more attention on a flight, and just... I don't know, more supervision? but maybe I'm over protective LOL I'd start with a night away locally (we've tried it twice and both times resulted in me picking him up). being hours away for the first overnight would give me heart palpitations

njmomma

Do they allow children as young as 5 on the plane as an unaccompanied minor?
Personally I wouldn't send my child this young on airplane alone. I remember I was around 10 years old when I first went on an airplane flight alone, and that was little scary for me and i was nervous.

mel

Airlines do allow unaccompanied minors beginning at age 5. They are assigned a flight attendant who serves as their escort. I have a friend who started flying alone at age 3 (the rules were different then) and it was never a big deal, but that said, I would never put my kids on a plane alone, especially if they had not been away from me at all. My kids have also never flown, but if they had, I would still want that experience with them. The extra fee is so expensive that it would be better to drive. Would it be possible for all of you to visit, but then Aiden can have a special all-day outing with his aunt?

MNmommas

Can you fly his aunt to you and put them up in a nearby hotel with a pool/playground or something like that? That would be cheaper (no extra airplane fee for an unaccompanied minor) and then if he's freaking out, the sleepover can easily be cut short. Plus he could still see the aunt again in the morning, even if the sleeping away from you part doesn't work out.

Lexnani

We just sent our 13 year old to Florida with my parents for the summer. I paid $100 on JetBlue. I personally wouldn't send my 5 year old on a plane alone. I was crying my eyes out for days leading to his departure and day of. There were 2 other children on the flight with our son but they didn't sit them together. They are last to board the plane and the last ones off.

Zen

I sent my 11 year old to California flying solo and was able to skip the unaccompanied minor charges by getting a gate pass to escort him to the plane and having the friends on the other end do the same. When it came time to pick him up, I was refused a gate pass. The airline said if he was unaccompanied he should be able to make his way alone. In retrospect what happened next is funny but I was totally panicked at the time. His cell phone was dead and he had been told to wait at the gate when the plan landed and not move. I told the agent that I needed to report a missing child. That got her attention. Seems that in the case of a missing child they have to put everyone on high alert and block all the exits. Since he was under 13 and all alone with no way to contact him, he could be missing. I told her that she could issue the gate pass or be responsible for putting the international airport on lock-down. She called security and my son was escorted to me by the pilots. My son was so proud to walk with them and never knew of the drama that ensued before hand!

That said, even with the unaccompanied minor service, there is no way I'd put 5 year old Shiloh on a plane by herself. In speaking to others however, I do not see anything wrong with it. I would only consider it (even with my older kids - now 12 & 15) on a direct flight. You walk them to the gate and hand the child over to an attendant. The child is pre-boarded and made comfortable. An attendant checks on the child throughout the flight and escorts them to a waiting party. Identification is checked and confirmation calls made to you before the child is released. Totally safe. But again ... NOT something I would do.

Kari

I wouldn't feel comfortable with it. Five year olds are just so young. Maybe when my kids are 10 I would consider it, but not before then.

TheOtherLovingMoms

My granddaughter just turned 5 yesterday and just the thought of her going on a plane alone gives me chills. There is NO WAY in h3ll I would put her on a plane without either me or my wife with her. 5 years old is still so young.

gprime11

I flew every summer from 6-12 as an unaccompanied minor. It is different now with airline rules but I think you know your kid best. A flight for a 10 hour drive is pretty short and he has already flown with you, so at least he know what is expected of him. I would be more worried about it being his first night away and not being able to go get him if it doesn't go well. I'll be the one person here to say go for it...if you think he is ready.

JustThe5OfUs

I started flying alone at age 7 and don't remember it being scary or a big deal. I was a quite kid that kept myself entertained so sitting in the seat without the attendant was fine. Since I have never been on the parent side of this, my wife and I were discussing what we would do in this situation. I think a direct flight would be fine but wouldn't consider a connecting flight until much older.

Ronna71

Truthfully, I can't imagine anyone in good conscious sending a 5 year old alone on a flight. They are far to young. I sent my son at 10 years old to see his father as an unaccompanied minor and it nearly killed me. The ONLY reason I agreed to do it was that it was a straight through flight, and his father and I could meet him/drop him off right at the gate AND we paid for unaccompanied minor, as well. We planned carefully, and discussed at length various scenarios. He was safe, but I was a wreck.