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Teens flying alone

Teens flying alone

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by: HollyHobby Active Indicator LED Icon 9 OP 
~ 8 years ago   Aug 12, '15 7:49am  
My mother in law is having cancer surgery on the 24th, and my husband would like our kids to fly to Phoenix to visit her before the surgery. They are 13 and 16. I have a big event coming up next Wednesday and could not go with them, so we might have them fly on their own. Does anyone know if a parent or other relative can accompany kids to the gate or do we just have to take them as far as the security area? 4951
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Mahm Active Indicator LED Icon 9
~ 8 years ago   Aug 12, '15 7:55am  
There was another thread about this recently, but I can't remeber who posted it. On United, they can fly without the additional unaccompanied minor fees after age 12. Yes, an adult will receive a pass to walk them to their gate on this end. Then the adult in Pheonix will be able to request a gate pass to retrieve them. At IAH, you will want to check in at the special services counter in terminal C. Good luck.
 
ETA: I am sorry for what your MIL is going through. I will keep her and your family in my prayers. 4951
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OhHappyPets Active Indicator LED Icon 3
~ 8 years ago   Aug 12, '15 8:18am  
My sister & I started flying alone on stand-by flights when I was around 13. I don't really see why a 16 year old would need a parent to help them to the gate. If they've been on flights before, they know how it works & can always call you if there's a delay or problem. If they can drive, they can navigate an airport. 4951
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Chrisinkingwood Active Indicator LED Icon 8
~ 8 years ago   Aug 12, '15 8:26am  
Just ask for a gate pass after explaining what you want to do. Unfortunately you will still have to go through the Nude-o-scope machine at the TSA checkpoint. 4951
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Mahm Active Indicator LED Icon 9
~ 8 years ago   Aug 12, '15 8:26am  
@OhHappyPets: Now that my DD is almost 16 and has been flying in and out of IAH since age 8, I feel like she can navigate the airport just fine. I do still worry about predators though. Houston is one of the biggest hubs in the country for human trafficking. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I've seen the movie Taken, and I would rather err on the side of caution. 4951
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ForeCPA90 Active Indicator LED Icon 9
~ 8 years ago   Aug 12, '15 9:02am  
@HollyHobbyMy daughter lives in another state and has been flying here once a month since she was 12.  You can go to the check in counter and get a gate pass to walk them to the gate.  You should not have any problems.  You can check in at any terminal.  If the check in lines are long, and they are not checking bags, you can use the premier access counter. 4951
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WJo Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 8 years ago   Aug 12, '15 9:17am  
my great grand-daughter traveled by her self  from Ohio to Texas & back . Only one person is allowed to go with them to the gate with a pass. But they do take very good care of the children during their flight . The steward brought her right to us once she de-planed & we had to show our ID before they were released to us. That was on Delta , I do not know about other airlines. Our grand-daughter was 10 at that time . 4951
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topcat Active Indicator LED Icon 12
~ 8 years ago   Aug 12, '15 10:33am  
My mother in law is having cancer surgery on the 24th, and my husband would like our kids to fly to Phoenix to visit her before the surgery. They are 13 and 16. I have a big event coming up next Wednesday and could not go with them, so we might have them fly on their own. Does anyone know if a parent or other relative can accompany kids to the gate or do we just have to take them as far as the security area?
 
@HollyHobby:
 
When you make the reservation make sure you tell them it is for unaccompanied minors. You get a pass and can go to the gate with them until take off. I would do it that way to ease your mind and for safety. 4951
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OhHappyPets Active Indicator LED Icon 3
~ 8 years ago   Aug 12, '15 11:20am  
@mahm You gotta teach them the "stank face." It's stranger danger 101. Loading Image... 4951
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Mahm Active Indicator LED Icon 9
~ 8 years ago   Aug 12, '15 12:29pm  
@mahm You gotta teach them the "stank face." It's stranger danger 101. Loading Image...
 
@OhHappyPets:
 
Ha ha! She has been practicing her RBF (resting b**ch face) but that just runs in the family I think. 4951
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Mahm Active Indicator LED Icon 9
~ 8 years ago   Aug 12, '15 12:39pm  
Not to split hairs, but telling the airline they are an "unaccompanied minor" could cost you an additional $100 per child, per departure (on United.) If they are older and you aren't hiring the flight attendant as a babysitter, you can specify they are a "minor traveling alone" in order to get a gate pass.
 
And yes you may check in at any terminal. I've just found its easier to go through C for customer service and security. 4951
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ForeCPA90 Active Indicator LED Icon 9
~ 8 years ago   Aug 12, '15 12:46pm  
Not to split hairs, but telling the airline they are an "unaccompanied minor" could cost you an additional $100 per child, per departure (on United.) If they are older and you aren't hiring the flight attendant as a babysitter, you can specify they are a "minor traveling alone" in order to get a gate pass.
 
And yes you may check in at any terminal. I've just found its easier to go through C for customer service and security.
 
@Mahm: Good point.  That's not splitting hairs at all.  That used to add $200 round trip before my daughter turned 12.
4951
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Mahm Active Indicator LED Icon 9
~ 8 years ago   Aug 12, '15 12:50pm  

- - - - - - - -
>> Not to split hairs, but telling the airline they are an "unaccompanied minor" could cost you an additional $100 per child, per departure (on United.) If they are older and you aren't hiring the flight attendant as a babysitter, you can specify they are a "minor traveling alone" in order to get a gate pass.
 
And yes you may check in at any terminal. I've just found its easier to go through C for customer service and security.
 
@Mahm: Good point.  That's not splitting hairs at all.  That used to add $200 round trip before my daughter turned 12.
 
@ForeCPA90:
 
I paid a ton of UM fees in the past too. I was so relieved when she was old enough to look out for herself. If it were just the 13 year old flying alone for the first time, I would say its worth it for peace of mind. But with her 16 year old sister, I think they'll both be fine. 4951
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