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Original poster

12 year old flying alone

13 replies

GrimSisters · 14/04/2019 21:16

Since the demise of Flybe's unaccompanied minor service, I am having to send my DC to France to visit her father on her own for the first time. We're all fine with this- she's a seasoned traveller and has done the route many times.

However, I am concerned, probably unduly, that she may not make it in or out of France. She's is a dual citizen but will travel on her British passport. Flybe will take unaccompanied 12 year olds but I understand France can be a bit funny about their U14 citizens flying alone.

My ex has prepared a 'dossier' (the French love a good dossier) Hmm and I've enclosed a letter of permission, proof of address, a copy of my birth certificate with my maiden name that appears on her birth certificate, a copy of my marriage certificate, passport etc etc and he has done similar. I think we've covered all bases.

So, does anyone have any experience of doing this? Did it all go ok? I'm getting a bit worried!

OP posts:
Usermuser998 · 14/04/2019 21:37

I think you need some specific exit form completed for an unaccompanied chuld under 16 to leave France? No experience myself but I've heard of this before. Good luck! I'm sure it'll be fine.

LilyTheSavage · 14/04/2019 21:49

My friend has just had this sort of issue for her DD12 travelling on a ferry with a relative with a different surname. She had t get a special form (plus a dossier I expect) for the relative and her DD. The ferry company (Brittany Ferries) wouldn't let them on the ferry even with a letter of permission from my friend even though that had been sufficient before. HTH.

Worth checking out. Good luck.

Original poster
GrimSisters · 14/04/2019 22:31

I've completed the form that he sent me, which basically says the same as I've put in the letter - but in French. Fingers crossed all will be ok.

OP posts:

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Original poster
GrimSisters · 14/04/2019 22:40

She's travelled lots of times to and from France with my parents too, without any of this palava. I'm just wondering if it could be made more difficult because she's travelling alone. She has ex's surname (I wasn't allowed to register her under mine in the county she was born in). I hope that makes her return leg a little easier, as he'll be checking in with her. Surely this must be a common thing these days?!
My friends are all horrified that I'm sending her off alone, but I'm planning on staying at the airport until she's taken off and then stopping at a nearby services until she's safely with her dear Papa. She'll have her phone and charger with her so can call if she needs to and has a tongue in her head and can always ask if she's unsure.

OP posts:
GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 14/04/2019 22:44

Does she speak both English and French?

Original poster
GrimSisters · 14/04/2019 23:20

I think she understands a lot of French but she's never grown up speaking it and her father speaks to her in crap English - he refuses to teach her. I left him when she was two and a half and he never really bothered with her much when we were together. I'm seriously considering asking her lovely aunt if she'd put her up for a term or two at some point (her father is too tight to rent anything bigger than a studio flat, despite being a high earner). I'd miss her terribly but it would be a valuable experience.

OP posts:
LilyTheSavage · 15/04/2019 08:00

When does your DD fly?

Let us know how you/she get on.

GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 15/04/2019 09:05

I was just thinking if she needed to ask for help at the France end, I guess they would probably speak English though.

Original poster
GrimSisters · 16/04/2019 09:52

Well, she made it! Absolutely no issues checking in, going through security or boarding. She was a bit nervous and sent me a lot of texts for reassurance. I made sure I hung around at a nearby shopping centre (the parking, at £2 for all day was cheaper than the £11 for less than 2 hours at the airportShock) just in case.

She didn't have to whip out her 'dossier' at all. For through at the other end absolutely fine and was met in arrivals by her father.

Fingers crossed the return journey is just as easy! Am really proud of her. She did so well and I'm pretty sure it's given her a confidence boost to navigate that on her own. My friends with daughters the same age are a bit shocked that I've allowed it, but I'm reassured now.

OP posts:
GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 16/04/2019 11:51

That’s absolutely amazing! I have a 12 year old and whilst I’m sure he could do it, I can’t imagine he’d be so confident or resilient as your dd. She’s a credit to you!

LilyTheSavage · 18/04/2019 16:58

That's great news. Very well done to your DD. I hope that it's as straightforward going back to the UK from France (which is where my friend's DD had the problems).

Original poster
GrimSisters · 21/04/2019 20:53

... and she's home! No problems the French end, but I did receive a phone call from the border security while I was sitting in arrivals waiting to come through. I think it was just to establish that mum was waiting - they'd asked DD for my number. They offered her some assistance to pick up her luggage and she'd declined (I said on the phone she'd be fine as she'd done it before). Am rather pleased they did check actually - it's good to know they seem to be astute to trafficking etc.
Thankfully she wasn't too freaked out at being taken aside while they called me and she'd be fine to do it again.

OP posts:
Se7ven11 · 21/04/2019 21:43

you are braver than me OP as I would probably have travelled with her and then back again on my own

glad she's OK - you must be very proud of her

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