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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask if DGD would fly alone at age 14?

104 replies

rizlett · 01/02/2018 17:53

Is it too unsafe?

The airline will allow it but there's no 'chaperone' service. Will it be too difficult for her - to dangerous?

Would you as a mum think it's not appropriate? I don't want to open a can of worms or raise hopes that might be dashed.

I'm quite surprised at the young age children are allowed to travel without adults.

www.opodo.co.uk/blog/unaccompanied-minors-rules-by-airlines/

OP posts:
Llanali · 01/02/2018 19:45

Yes, absolutely fine and I wouldn’t think twice.

FluffyWuffy100 · 01/02/2018 19:56

I would say fine if 1) she has flown before 2) she is happy to do so.

HoppyHannah · 01/02/2018 19:58

squishy,

thanks for the info.

I know there are difficulties with my theory but I was just throwing it out there. I think they close the gate within 25 minutes of departure anyway, so if you aren't there, they will go without you UNLESS you have checked in baggage which is an almighty pain for them for sure.

But I would say to the gate staff that I would not be boarding and the reasons why. I don't think it would be illegal, but what do I know!

Thanks anyway.

Exiguous · 01/02/2018 20:00

If it's one flight with no connections then I'd say fine.

I flew unaccompanied from age 7, and flew as an adult from 12. I didn't have any problems, but I do think flights are more likely to be delayed or cancelled these days, which is why I would worry about connections.

My children have been flying unaccompanied from age 11 across the Atlantic to visit their grandparents.

missymayhemsmum · 01/02/2018 20:01

Has dgd flown before? If it's a route she has previously flown with family so she knows what to expect then why not? No harder than getting a bus or train, really

PrincessoftheSea · 01/02/2018 20:02

There is a bit more to it than walking out again once you have been through security. You have to be accompanied out by staff.

Maria1982 · 01/02/2018 20:03

I did it as a 14 year old, within Europe.
I had flown before with parents.
Was dropped off by mum at one end and met at arrivals by aunt.

My mum was quite anxious for me. My dad reminded me to be sure to pick up luggage before exiting through security.

In the end after all that build I remember it being a bit of a let down. Arriving at Gatwick I showed my passport, then just kept following the Exit signs, picked up bag, and that was it!

TalkinPeace · 01/02/2018 20:08

I flew internationally on my own from the age of 4
it was great

HoppyHannah · 01/02/2018 20:13

TalkinPeace.

I am sure it was, for your minders.

Exiguous · 01/02/2018 20:14

There is a bit more to it than walking out again once you have been through security. You have to be accompanied out by staff.

In my local airport it really is just a case of changing your mind and walking out through a door.

Bekabeech · 01/02/2018 20:16

It really depends on the child.
My youngest - no, she would be too stressed - but with a suitable companion (sibling or others) then yes. My older two at that age, yes.
I'd just go through exactly what they need to do. When to phone. Show how we would track the flight. And make sure they have plenty of emergency contact numbers at either end (and plenty of phone credit etc.).
I would probably email the airline, just to forewarn and tell her to contact airline staff if anything bothers her.

TalkinPeace · 01/02/2018 20:19

hoppyhannah
I did not have minders
I had window seats and colouring books
back then kids were expected to shut up and not disturb people
the crew would let me roam the plane when i was not busy
but only once did I interact with another passenger (long outing story)
the visits to the cockpit were the best bit

MsHomeSlice · 01/02/2018 20:27

I might be a bit out of date, but don't you have to stay in the airport until the plane has taken off for unaccompanied minors? Just in case of major delays or cancellations

Pictureiswonky · 01/02/2018 20:31

I think my DS was 13 when he started flying by himself to Spain. It's very safe. I do wait in the airport until he tells me he's boarding though

FrancisCrawford · 01/02/2018 20:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TalkinPeace · 01/02/2018 20:34

US airport security is dire
at Newark we saw inbound domestic passengers mixing with outbound international among other things

NewYearNiki · 01/02/2018 20:44

I knew a 9yo and 12yo who flew London to Cape Town alone.

SheepyFun · 01/02/2018 20:48

I first flew on my own having just turned 15. It was Heathrow to Frankfurt, so neither were small airports. My father turned down any assistance (he was with me at check in), as he thought I was more than capable. It was fine. Abduction by strangers is very rare for children of any age, and vanishingly rare for teenagers; it would only be if your DGD would get lost or panic that there could be a problem.

HoppyHannah · 01/02/2018 20:51

When I read about Ryanair insisting on parents paying for a seat to ensure their offspring were seated with them and all the moaning, it brings this thread into perspective.

I wonder how many posters would be happy to be separated from their children on a flight, not to mind having them travel on their own!

Think about it.

PrincessoftheSea · 01/02/2018 20:51

Well I have missed my departure plenty of times and always had to be escorted and checked out of the terminal - at all london airports - international

Exiguous · 01/02/2018 20:53

BTW, one thing to watch out for. My nut-allergic kid had her antihistamine removed from her at Heathrow despite having a prescription and it being against Heathrow's own rules.

Exiguous · 01/02/2018 20:53

I wonder how many posters would be happy to be separated from their children on a flight, not to mind having them travel on their own!

I would pay to be separated from my children on flights...

TalkinPeace · 01/02/2018 20:54

I wonder how many posters would be happy to be separated from their children on a flight, not to mind having them travel on their own!
I have been.
Kids were 9 and 7
Dh and I were in single seats elsewhere on the plane
reminds self never to fly American Airlines again
they made great friends with the elderly Jewish couple next to them and had an EXCELLENT flight

Exiguous · 01/02/2018 20:56

Well I have missed my departure plenty of times and always had to be escorted and checked out of the terminal - at all london airports - international

DH flies every week or two and regularly switches terminal - usually involving going through security - at the last minute. He often has more than one flight booked for the same journey, so that if one is cancelled he can still get there on the other one. It's quite common for him to watch the departure board and choose a flight at the last minute, book it online as he sprints to the gate, and cancel his other flights from on board the plane.

I don't envy him his job.

TalkinPeace · 01/02/2018 20:58

Another time after LOTS of delays, we actively chose to be seated away from the kids as we needed a break from each other Grin