20 year old daughter having to spend night at JFK airport.

[DaughterStranded]

Not an AIBU, but posting for traffic as really worried.
20 year old DD has arrived at JFK airport to find connecting flight to South Carolina cancelled due to signalling issues. The next connecting flight will go 7am tomorrow morning. There are no earlier flights to any nearby airports available.
DD has decided to spend the night at JFK airport. I am worried she will fall asleep and get robbed of her phone/money. Anyone else had this situation to deal with? Any advice or tips anyone?

@N4ish If she was travelling with someone, I would have been happy for DD to rough it and sleep in the airport overnight as they would have been able to look out for each other and take it in turns to sleep and watch each other's bags. However, as DD travelling alone, the risk of falling asleep and having her valuables stolen is too great for my liking. I also didn't want her jumping in taxis and going round NYC on her own.
I am all for building DC resilience, but we all have to decide what level of risk we are comfortable with.
I have recently retired after working 40+ years. To me, the point of all that hard work was to build up sufficient financial reserves to dig myself or my family out of a hole if necessary. In my eyes, this was one such situation where I felt that the expense was worth it for peace of mind.

Even when she thinks the travel insurance will cover it?

Blimey. Just realised this is a trending thread on MN! Didn't think when I posted that it would generate this many posts!

Each to their own, the OP obviously did what she thought was best in the situation. My approach would have been different. Bowing out now, hope OP's DD has a smooth onwards journey.

@booksunderthebed DD will try and claim from Jetblue for expense of overnight accommodation. Will see what happens. I will only be able to make an claim on our travel insurance if DD has been turned down for cost of hotel in writing I think.

best of luck with the claiming process. Shame they can't give you a bit extra for all the stress and aggravation of trying to claim back money from them.

I’ve spent many a night at an airport as a young women. They are covered in CCTV and are the most high security environments out there - a much safer place to be than a hotel 🤷‍♀️

Really surprised to hear people say JFK isn't safe! Don't US airports have stringent security like other places? Delhi airport is the most chilled place, I would have no issues being there late. Same with Bangkok airport. I was there 3am for a flight to Phuket and my gate was practically empty, I just lay down on the seats. No concerns at all, cameras everywhere. Heathrow can be a bit grubby depending on the terminal but definitely not unsafe.

Wow at that price!!! Just wow. You daughter is very lucky OP. My Mum would have been at the end of the phone for moral support, but that would have been it at 20 y/o.

I would have done the same OP. Not worth the risk. I don’t care if she’s 20 or 40 I’d still help my kids out when needed.

Well a mediocre chain hotel would have likely been at least £200-250 so it's high, but the TWA hotel looks amazing so it's going to be an experience for her if she manages to see all the hotel has to offer. Plus she won't have the hassle of travelling into the city just to find a hotel.

Check it out!

Thing is as well, the worlds different now. We’re all constantly connected via our phones. The OPs daughter was likely just keeping them updated (or having a moan!) rather than “phoning mummy for help”.

Wow! I am jealous now 😁

I assume from your posts now that your daughter is fine, and living and breathing still?!!! (When will she be home?)

Anyway, as has been said, ignore the (very few) posts attacking you, most normal parents would be freaking out if their daughter - who was only just out of her TEENS - was alone and stranded at an airport in another country!!! I know I would be.

You're a brilliant mum, and your daughter is lucky to have you, and yes, many posters on here have been kind and helpful. (I find most Mumsnetters are to be fair.) 😄

You’re a lovely mum and I would have done the same, even if my daughter was with a friend I’d pay too.

Hopefully the insurance will pay it, if there’s travel disruption cover they should.

@LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway Thank you! DD has enjoyed her night at TWA. She is now waiting for the connecting flight to South Carolina. Back home 5th June!

@Peoniesandcats Thank you!

I'm glad your DD is ok, and you managed to find a solution. Boy, is that hotel expensive, though!
Just in case it helps for any future occasions; I spent a lot of nights in airports (deliberately, to save on accommodation costs), when backpacking. I was usually alone, and was just 21 when I left for almost 3 years overseas. This was pre-mobile phones. I was fine. You find a suitable spot (quiet, but not TOO quiet) and make sure your valuables are attached to your person. You don't sleep well, but usually get enough sleep.
Hope she enjoys the rest of her trip!

YAY!!! 😀

I backpacked a lot and spent the night (whilst alone) at airports on at least 4 occasions. Can’t remember if JFK was one of them but I never felt unsafe. It of course was never ideal, comfy, or a great nights sleep but I never had any safety concerns. Tell her to put her phone, passport and money/cards down her top and to sleep on her bags (using them as a pillow) so they’re not easy to grab.

With pods available at bigger airports nowadays though that may be an affordable option for some comfortable sleep.

Edited to say sorry, just seen I’m too late! Glad she had a good safe night!

My 15 year old son was running around New York in his own when we were there a few months ago 🙄. You sound hysterical.

Good on you OP for supporting your daughter. Yes I hear the rest of you … most of us did sleep in airports 10-20 years ago or more but as another poster who lives in NY said that at night time it’s full of people with mental health issues trying to seek shelter. So maybe we should listen to people who have recent experience of JFK

She is an adult.

I agree with @VJBR, @DaughterStranded - our dses are 27, 29 and 31 and we still help them out with things. We do the same for wider family and friends - up to, and including my FIL who is 90 - well into his adult years!