Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Does a three year old need to walk through airport security scanner alone?

39 replies

Aberforthspoorgoat · 21/09/2023 21:31

Travelling on a plane for the first time with DS next week. He’s a cautious, sensitive child and doesn’t like loud alarms etc. he’s also a bit wobbly about new experiences when there’s a lot going on or things are busy.

im not worried about the actual flight at all, the bit I’m stressing about is security. Is he going to have to walk through the scanner alone or will I be able to carry him/ hold his hand? I just know if anyone before us sets off the alarm he’s going to be afraid of going through it! We have played airport security and showed him videos but I just want to prepare myself for what I’m going to be dealing with.

I just assumed as he’s under 5 I could carry him and we both be checked if it goes off but is that just for babies?

OP posts:
QuillBill · 21/09/2023 21:38

When I've done it I go through first and then dd waited with the person and then she went through. It's only a few seconds. I would aim to do it separately because if you ask and they say no he might get upset. Whereas if you try to do it and it's unsuccessful then they may let you take him through.

GeorgeSpeaks · 21/09/2023 21:39

They might, it varies. Are you going with anyone else? Can you ask him to run to the other person through the scanner?

anicecuppateaa · 21/09/2023 21:39

I took my 3 year old DTs on a plane last weekend. They had to walk through the scanner alone. If its a real problem I’m sure you can carry him if you explain.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

3 year olds Behaviour & development Families Flying
LollipopViolet · 21/09/2023 21:39

I think if he can walk, he'll be expected to go through on his own. I've seen very little ones do it and the staff are great. Parent usually goes through first, and then encourages little one to walk through.

Owjrbvr · 21/09/2023 21:41

Last time we flew I walked through holding 2 year old DS; the Alarm went so I gave DS to my DH and had to walk through again and alarm went off so I had the body scanner. They did ask if he’d walk through but he totally refused and they didn’t push it

modgepodge · 21/09/2023 21:41

My 4 year old had to go through by herself (though to be fair I didn’t ask for an alternative!)

if there’s 2 adults it’s quite easy, one holds him while the other goes through, then you tell him to run to the other adult and then follow him. I think it tends to be metal which sets off the alarm so make sure he’s not got poppers, metal buttons or a belt and he should be fine.

PuttingDownRoots · 21/09/2023 21:44

We first flew when DDs were 4 and 2.5, they had to go through alone. It was just me and them, so I sent DD1 through first then DD2 followed.

I think it was our third flight when DD2 (then 3yo) managed to get selected for explosives screening too (its random)... they did the swabs on both of us and were great with her.

Some airports have special family lanes... use them. Its usually the staff who are used to kids on them.

Original poster
Aberforthspoorgoat · 21/09/2023 21:46

Thank you! My plan was for me to go through first and for him to stay with DH then get him to run to me so that sounds like I’m along the right lines and hopefully if he refuses or gets hysterical they will let me carry him through. Will def use the family lane

OP posts:
CapturedLeprechaun · 21/09/2023 21:53

I flew alone with 3yr old, 2yr old, and baby in a sling. Big two had to walk through by themselves, they thought it was thrilling. I got bleeped so had to take the baby out of the sling and pass her to a security officer who held her while I went through the scanner. Wasn't stressful at all, everyone was kind and patient!

Fallingthroughclouds · 21/09/2023 21:54

Aberforthspoorgoat · 21/09/2023 21:46

Thank you! My plan was for me to go through first and for him to stay with DH then get him to run to me so that sounds like I’m along the right lines and hopefully if he refuses or gets hysterical they will let me carry him through. Will def use the family lane

Surely he has walked between parents before, it's a very small distance and you'll both be in plane sight. I think you are over thinking this, don't make an issue of it.

Original poster
Aberforthspoorgoat · 22/09/2023 08:11

Of course he has walked between parents before but as I explained in my OP he is quite noise sensitive so if anyone sets off the alarm before us I know what he’s like.

im not going to make a big deal out of it I’m just trying to think ahead which always makes life easier

OP posts:
StillWantingADog · 22/09/2023 08:16

Aberforthspoorgoat · 22/09/2023 08:11

Of course he has walked between parents before but as I explained in my OP he is quite noise sensitive so if anyone sets off the alarm before us I know what he’s like.

im not going to make a big deal out of it I’m just trying to think ahead which always makes life easier

The alarm doesn’t make an actual noise usually, the scanning person just sees a green or red light I think?

they can be stressful places, security queues, but not usually noisy.

Rainallnight · 22/09/2023 08:19

My DD is similar. They always want kids to walk through on their own. It’ll be fine - they’re usually very patient and sometimes we’ve even been given a kids airport activity pack to distract her

Picturethat · 22/09/2023 08:21

Noise canceling headphones for the airport?
My then 3 yr old Ds was patted down by airport security once, the officer indicated for Ds to put his arms out by putting hers out, he thought she wanted a hug and ran up and gave her one Grin.

Iliketulips · 22/09/2023 08:26

If you just get him to walk in front of you, I'm sure that will be ok. He won't be separated totally from you without good reason.

In fact, only time I can remember DD being separated was just after Madeleine McCann went missing (DD had a similar hairstyle). She had to go through scanner on her own separate from me, and security staff asked her questions, I could see and hear all this so she wasn't far away.

ForensicFlossy · 22/09/2023 08:29

There are no alarms, just a red or green light, you are overthinking this and your dc will pick up on that and will panic. It is a very normal, very standard thing to go through airport security, don't make it a big deal.

saffronsoup · 22/09/2023 08:48

Your child is going to pick up on your anxiety about this. You are massively overthinking it and fretting about something that is a non issue. Young child go through security at airpoints thousands of times a day. It is a couple seconds and you hve two parental adults.

You really should see someone about your own anxiety. You will have an anxious child if you are this anxious around him.

TrailingLoellia · 22/09/2023 08:49

Mine have gone through on their own from when they could walk.

Mushroo · 22/09/2023 08:51

There’s not usually an alarm - it just flashes green or red and they’re might be a beep.

But no loud aggressive alarms, the noise of everyone chucking their suitcases about it louder

dancingsands · 22/09/2023 08:51

It's a colour light change, not an alarm, normally very calm and uneventful

Toddler101 · 22/09/2023 08:57

dancingsands · 22/09/2023 08:51

It's a colour light change, not an alarm, normally very calm and uneventful

Yep this. I went with my 3yo and baby last week. They were 3xoected to walk through (the baby was handed from one parent to the other through the scanner, wasn't even allowed to just carry the baby myself)!

@Aberforthspoorgoat , what time is your flight? We had a midweek mid afternoon flight and were the only people using the family security lane. Calm, no noise, barely any people (just security staff and us).

Don't overthink it or you'll project anxiety unnecessarily.

Have a good trip!

eurochick · 22/09/2023 09:05

The scanners usually don't make any sound. The alert is visual for the security personnel.

Don't make a thing of it. One of you goes through and then he runs to that parent. It's not a big deal. Use the family lane and if he does act up they will be used to it.

My older daughter had a freak out at security once. She had flown loads before without any issue. She was randomly selected for the secondary scanning machine where you have to stand like superman. She just wouldn't do it and had a full on meltdown. We were on our way to a much loved relative's funeral and I think it was all the emotions coming out. We were treated very sympathetically by the staff who let me sit with her to calm her down and then wanded us both.

HappyAsASandboy · 22/09/2023 09:19

There has never been an audible alarm when I have set these scanners off (many times!). In fact I don't remember seeing/hearing anything at all, just the security person on the far side signals you over to where they do the further checking (wand scanner and/or pat down and/or full body scanner). No drama, not really very many words even, they just make it clear what you're do do and where you should go.

Wildwildwoman · 22/09/2023 09:20

Could you get a pair of ear defenders for him

Original poster
Aberforthspoorgoat · 22/09/2023 09:20

I’m clearlY going mad in that case 😂 can you tell o haven’t flown in a while? Thanks very much

OP posts: