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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

13 Year old flying alone

93 replies

restingbitchfarce · 16/04/2019 20:01

Would you allow your 13 year old plane adoring child fly Gatwick to Edinburgh and back in a day without an adult?

For context he's done this flight accompanied many times and often flys to places and back in the same day accompanied but he's never gone solo, airline happy to take over 12's unaccompanied.

I said no and he's very upset so AIBU?

OP posts:
Takethebuscuitandthesink · 16/04/2019 22:57

Yinderling

Wow. Just wow. Is there any need for you to be so rude. How is he entitled? And who are you to carry on like that. I have seen it all now.

Yinderling · 16/04/2019 23:01

Really? worse than contributing to climate change for such a purposeless flight? Climate change is devastating the planet surely we all know that by now.

Takethebuscuitandthesink · 16/04/2019 23:03

Yinderling

Yes but that flight would be i off anyway regardless of weather the ops son was on board.

GreenTulips · 16/04/2019 23:12

The flights get cancelled if they aren’t booked to a certain level.

They only fly to save on ground fees.

Plenty of short flights get cancelled and I’ve yet to see cheap last minuet flights

This is really weird.

KennDodd · 16/04/2019 23:22

I'd be fine with my 13 yo flying unaccompanied. But, no way would I let my child do this because of environmental costs.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 16/04/2019 23:35

Can elephant jump.!!!
No chance. However I'm very over protective. I do admit that.

Takethebuscuitandthesink · 16/04/2019 23:37

Can elephant jump.!!!
No chance. However I'm very over protective. I do admit that.

Why though, I am genuinely interested to hear why you take such a firm line?

ThriftyMcThrifty · 16/04/2019 23:38

Yes I would. I used to fly to Dublin and back to see my dad from age 8, and they were great.

victoriaspongecake · 16/04/2019 23:51

No its weird. I would be encouraging a different hobby.

LaLaLamp · 17/04/2019 00:00

OP you can elect a named taxi driver to stay in the airport until the flight has taken off, you will have to pay waiting time and parking. Please be aware that if you are flying with BA a special permission to fly form will have to be completed, and you will have to provide a copy of your passport. You will also need the details of the person meeting him at the other end, even if it is another taxi driver.

Takethebuscuitandthesink · 17/04/2019 00:01

No its weird. I would be encouraging a different hobby.

How is it weird? It’s a unique hobby. Surely we should be encouraging our kids to stand out from the crowd. Other that the environmental argument.

Takethebuscuitandthesink · 17/04/2019 00:27

Will he be allowed to fly then op?

PregnantSea · 17/04/2019 00:36

Yes, he'll be fine

EarringsandLipstick · 17/04/2019 02:14

The flying alone bit would be ok if he was being dropped by an adult & then collected at the other end.
But I'm amazed by all PPs saying they'd be ok with this scenario - no way would I agree to this, a 13yo on on own in an airport, wandering around, before getting flight back again? No way, just not safe.

Also, as other posters said, is it allowed that he flies alone with no responsible adult dropping or collecting?

And yes, as a thing to do, while I get his interest in planes, I just find it an odd thing to do...

Someoneonlyyouknow · 17/04/2019 02:52

I wouldn't say no purely due to his age but might be trying to find a way for him to enjoy his interest in planes without expanding his carbon footprint. Presumably Gatwick is his 'local' airport so he is quite familiar with it but won't know Edinburgh so well? If he has never flown solo before I would want him to have taken the lead previously checking in, boarding etc. (travelling on the same flight as you or his usual travelling companion but you leaving him to organise himself totally) and finding his own way through Arrivals and Departures at a less familiar airport.
Have you given him any reasons why you said no or explained when you might say yes?
Environmentally, he would be better to save the money (who is paying for this trip) and put it towards a flight simulator experience.

WinterHeatWave · 17/04/2019 03:43

So, there is noone he knows in Edinburgh?? No, I wouldn't do it.
Flying to a destination where he could be met at the other end (even if he just stays in the airport a few hours), and where an adult accompanied / collected him from the London end too, yes I would.

PhoenixBuchanan · 17/04/2019 03:49

I'm not sure people have read or understood the OP correctly? I had to read it twice. This is quite weird as a day out for a young teen IMO! Hanging around Edinburgh airport on his own, where he knows no one, until the flight back? In all likelihood it would be fine, but what if the return flight is cancelled and it's not?

redbedheadd · 17/04/2019 07:31

This sounds like a really weird, expensive and bad environmentally hobby. He just boards flights, then comes straight back? Why?

gubbsywubbsy · 17/04/2019 07:48

You list them as an unwin.. they get taken to the plane then met at the other end ... he won't be alone at any point .

palma2016 · 17/04/2019 07:51

He seems like a responsible boy , my son is 12 and av geek too so this is something he would probably do , I think if he's warned about certain dangers he will be fine . I love his zest for travel it should only ever be encouraged.

palma2016 · 17/04/2019 07:54

I think you've got to be in to planes to understand him , I do ,we as a family are av geeks so I get it .

cestlavielife · 17/04/2019 08:01

This isnt a great hobby....Look for a different plane relayed hobby e.g. air cadets . Gliding. Light aircraft. Etc.

cestlavielife · 17/04/2019 08:02

Hobbies are goid but think long term how it looks on personal statement or cv or at a job interview...much better to use the interest more productively learning flight skills and working in a team etc . 're direct the interest.

englishdictionary · 17/04/2019 08:29

You list them as an unwin.. they get taken to the plane then met at the other end ... he won't be alone at any point

Who is meeting him at the other end?

englishdictionary · 17/04/2019 08:30

You will also need the details of the person meeting him at the other end,

No one is meeting him. RTFT

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