To worry about teenage son flying alone?

[miniadventure]

Hi, I'm new to Mumsnet so I hope this is the right place to start this topic...my 16 year old son is off to europe soon and flying alone.We will take him to the airport and he will be met by his friend and their family after the flight.I've been so anxious going through the 'what if?' questions!He has only ever travelled with us in the past.

I'm awake early every day thinking supposing he doesn't get met at the other end, what if the plane is very delayed etc etc. My husband has tried to reassure me but it doesn't stop me from worrying.
I wondered if any of you have been in a similar situation and have any advise? Thank you

He'll be fine. All the better, tbh, that you can't get gate passes nowadays too because there's nothing worse for the young traveller than seeing the increasingly anxious face of your mother and wondering whether they are going to do a terrible, "I can't let you go!!" thing that will involve hanging onto you and scrabbling at your clothing as you struggle to get through the boarding gate onto the tarmac.

If your son has all the relevant mobile numbers (and a phone that will work wherever he is going) plus a sensible "What If" plan worked out then minds can be put at rest.

I hate to say that ridiculous anxiety about travelling never quite leaves you though. DS1 leaves in September to cycle from Vancouver to San Diego and then onto New Zealand for a year. When he told me about the cycling bit, to my horror, I actually said "Ooooh, is that going to be safe?". But in my partial defence I have seen Easy Rider too many times.

DS1 is 29. He has already lived and worked in Australia. I am ridiculous.

He'll be totally fine. When I was 16 I flew alone to USA for a six week international youth camp. I also had to change planes at Newark airport. And this was all in the days before mobile phones.

At 16 you can be pretty sensible if you need to be and resourceful.

My 8 year old flew accompanied minor in Central America at Easter and will fly accompanied minor this summer. A 16-year old should be fine - but it's fair enough for you to worry too!

I flew on my own since the age of 12. His phone will work in another country so if anything happens he can ring if not,which it won't, he can ring u when he gets there to let you know he's safe

I don't think that you are being overprotective-you are letting him do it despite your fears. The truly overprotective wouldn't let him do it! Think of it as a sensible, safe way of giving him independence and then in 2 years, when he is an adult, he will be able to sort himself out. At that age they are often well able to sort things out. My SIL recently came to see us with her 15yr old DS. When their train was late and they missed the connection it was my nephew who sorted it all out and told his mother not to panic!

My 13 year old dd got herself to Australia with a stopover while sorting out an alternative domestic flight to Heathrow during the British Airways strike. I was worried, obvioously, but hugely impressed that she was absolutely fine, and she was quite proud of herself afterwards. Trust him!

I'm sure he'll be fine - I flew to and from boarding school on my own from about 11 - started as unaccompanied minor and then went without the 'nannying' from a stewardess from about 14. I know that the first time they do anything without you is scary, but as long as he has a strategy for what to do if anything goes awry at the other end, he'll be fine - and you will be too, albeit after a stiff G&T to steady the nerves while you wait for the text !

thanks to everyone who has replied and also for the moral support and sound advise!

Assuming my ds manages the flight (with changeover) to the US next month, the next thing I need to worry about is the fact that he & his friend (also 15) are going camping alone in bear country, and white water rafting.

quick update-my son is safely home again now-he had a great trip and you were all right-I was worried for nothing really! He texted as soon as he arrived and kept in touch during his visit.Thanks everyone for the moral support

when i was 13 i flew Belfast-Glasgow-Calgary on my own. my sister was living there at the time and she met me on the other side. i was fine though got a bit confused trying to find my way through glasgow airport but just asked someone.

i was sixteen when i first went on holiday on my own. i went to paris for five days all by lonesome and it was the best five days ever! i had a mobile and credit card for emergencies. (apparently sephora is not an emergency) my mum and dad knew i was sensible they just said if you get drunk get a taxi don't take the metro. i really wouldn't worry.

Miniadventure - I started reading it and thought - OMG this is so like the thread last month... oh, argh, yes that would be why .

I'm glad he had a great time!

Maybe this experience will help you to see it's time to start undoing those apron strings and admitting he's growing up

Does't anyone ever read anything but the OP anymore - not even the last few posts??

That's great news, thanks for updating.

When we were living abroad my brother used to be put on a national expess coach at the age of 12 to go from school at the end of term to be met by a relative in london, and then put on a 15 hour flight. Relative did have caniptions one time when due to bad snow the bus was v delayed - think it broke down and he had to transfer to another. Was well before mobile phones.

Lots of boarding school kids fly long haul alone several times a year.

I understand that it must have been a bit of a milestone, but you are probably less than 2 years away from him deciding to interrail across Europe for several months.

I have to say that whilst I can understand the worry - Y(were)BU...

16 is plenty old enough. The first time has to happen some time, after all.

My mum flew over to this country with her two younger siblings when whe was 12!