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

[Aberforthspoorgoat]

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?

Yes, they send 2 yo’s through but they handle it well and most kids just walk through fine.

Depends on the airport, some have an alarm.

Your 3-year old will be encouraged to walk through on their own - if you're both there you just nip through ahead of him.

It's an alarm/beep in lots of airport.

This sounds a good plan. I've seen adults carry kids through the scanner before, as a back up

You're watching videos with him about it?! Way to go to turn it into a big deal. I'm not surprised he's picking up on your anxiety.
You're massively overthinking.

Hundreds of young children go through security barriers at airports every day. The security staff are usually very good with youngsters.

Dad goes through. Turns back to toddler. Mum says "go to daddy". Child goes through. Mum goes through. Big smiles all round.

I think once they can walk, they walk through by themselves - we first flew when DS was just 1 but couldn't walk so I carried him and otherwise he's been strolling through. He gets patted down every time or swabbed or his bag searched every time we've flown though. He thinks it's hilarious.

No one ever asked my DS to walk through alone. He’s 3 now. I always just pick him up and we both go through. Never had a problem.

@Aberforthspoorgoat

In the nicest possible way you are over thinking this, bring a small chocolate bar and go through first and stand there with the bar in your hand (if bribing would work)

DS has been flying since he was three months old, when he was two DH received a cochlear implant (he has to go through on a hand scan as some scanners have been know to wipe the programmes, certainly in the early days) DS had not really clocked the different searches, but when he was about five or six he turned around to DH and said come on Daddy get with the programme it is easy. One of security guys needed oxygen he was laughing that hard.

He won't be able to wear them through the scanner.

Could you get him some ear defenders?

What makes me laugh at airports is that I go through in a wheelchair, and then they pat me down. It's a metal choir, it is going to beep / light up the alarm.

If you have 2 adults then you’re massively overthinking it! You go first, he walks a handful of steps from Dad to you. Shouldn’t be an issue at all. My advice would be avoid the family lane though. They’re awful. Infrequent flyers with loads of stuff, having no idea what they’re doing, struggling to collapse pushchairs, so many people having baby milk screened. I’m convinced they exist to leave the other passengers in peace as opposed to be helpful for families.

Showed him videos because he was interested and asking questions - he’s fascinated with planes and wanted to know all about the airport etc and how it works.

he’s in the “why” stage at the moment so likes watching videos about things when he’s interested.

thanks all, good advice.

It'll be absolutely fine, they're usually distracted/looking at what's going on/being encouraged by that staff and it really is a 'blink and you'll miss it' moment.

That's adorable