Ariana Grande dilemma

I started my first job aged 19, I agree.

Team DH.

My kids have flown alone from 14 plenty of times. And she’s not even flying alone, she’s with an adult.

But US flights get cancelled a lot and you don’t just get on the next one. I guess, if like me you’ve been through USA airport hell and know how terrible customer service is when planes are cancelled then you’ll have a different perspective. EasyJet flight from Bristol to Edinburgh would be fine for me to leave 19 and 15 yos to it.

Not to be rude about Atlanta, but I wouldn't really feel the same about sending a couple of teenagers to any UK city compared to there. The difference is that all UK cities are generally walkable in the city centres and around the major venues at least. And public transport is relatively readily available and safe. This not only means that if the young people were to somehow find themselves stranded or without money/phones (or perhaps more likely decided to try and save money and time by walking or using public transport) they'd likely be safe and able to get themselves home, but also just means there are usually people out and about on the streets including at night. Whereas in a lot of American cities, Atlanta included, everything is done in cars and a lot of the city really isn't safe for young, unstreet-smart woman to walk around particularly at night. I would worry what they'd do if they couldn't get a taxi back from the venue or if they wanted to go and get snacks late at night or something... As I say not necessarily a worry that should stop them from going but I'd definitely want them to agree they'll Uber everywhere, even if this means a wait at times, and make sure they have enough money to do so..

They'll be fine.

How does OP know Atlanta? I’ve been to Atlanta multiple times and I don’t agree with her.

Millions of women have managed their own children at 19. What makes one who is already providing childcare incapable of travelling with an older, far less dependent than an infant, one?

And getting back to the airport/ hotel after the concert. It is always such a crush getting out of those big arenas and trying to find transport.

They are not going to a different country alone. They are flying from Florida to Georgia- both are in the same region of the same country,

Did they travel around Bangladesh on their own?

It’s not the flight that’s the issue, that’s the easy part.

It’s the travelling around Atlanta, checking into the hotel, getting to the concert and back again etc which I wouldn’t be comfortable with.

I have to remind myself that what was 19 years old 25 years ago is now treated like a 12 year old now, infantalising. As for the person who wouldn't let a 26 year old travel alone, wow!

Don't be so ridiculous, with the 'ooooh its FRIGHTENING how anxious some people are...' followed by the nasty little judgment at the end. The OP doesn't sound like that at all, so maybe save your unpleasant dramatics for a different thread, where the OP won't leave a 18 year old alone for 10 minutes or something.

OP, you know Atlanta better than 90% of this thread, and several people who DO know Atlanta agree with you. I completely agree - it's a very different scenario to flying to a European country, or even to a different US airport, in fairness.

If everything goes according to plan, everything's fine, but if it doesn't, then your niece and DD might be placed in a vulnerable situation, and which could mar an otherwise exciting trip. I would go with them. Have a great trip.

Atlanta is a big airport and has its own metro station. It is pretty easy to get around safely.
If they’re concerned about the metro being unsafe, then pay for a taxi.

Yabu 19 year olds are adults, this is exactly why young people have anxiety these days, because parents don't loosen their grip

I had a baby younger than 19 but no way would I think it was a sensible idea for a 19 and 15yo to go to a different country alone.

I would absolutely travel with them.

If they were both 19 then it would be different but they’re not.

I think your main issue is that a lot of hotels in the US don't allow under 21s to check in unaccompanied so just use that as the reasoning if you want to go.

I'd trust the 19 year old alone. I'd probably trust the 15 to fly in certain circumstances alone too.

It's the combination of getting a 19 year old to be responsible for a 15 year old in a foreign country at a gig and flying that's an issue for me.

I've been to gigs all over the world and travelled alone.

If it was the 19 year olds old child it would be different too. She doesn't have legal responsibility for her 15 year old cousin.

The chances of their being a problem are minimal but I'd at least like to be in the same city and then let them get on with it.

What was your point in mentioning it then?

I think it’s not so much the flight as getting to and from the gig once they’re there I’d be concerned about.

You've literally brought the 19yo along to 'babysit' whilst you work, so surely that means you've already deemed her responsible enough to look after your almost adult child.

I thought this was about Ariana breaking up with her boyfriend.
I would go with her on plane.

There is aircon everywhere in Florida. You acclimatise and it is really not that bad in summer.
The locals would not have been in bikinis in February, they’re the ones in snow parkas, bobble hats and mittens looking cold and miserable. Which we found funny because a Florida winter is as warm as an English summer.
The ones at the beach will be the snowbirds…tourists from up north.
(I lived in Florida for a few years for work)

Of course a 19 year old and a 15 year old can travel together! You might need to check about anything, like staying in hotels you might need to be 21 for? I know America has stricter rules about that sort of thing.