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Original poster

10 year old flying solo (London / Chicago) in summer

43 replies

Strix · 29/03/2013 13:08

So, it's the first time for her to fly on her own. Does anyone have any tips? Airline recommendations? Anything else I should be thinking about?

She is going to visit family, so won't really be on her own. She has dual citizenship so no visa issues.

Oh... Travel insurance... I guess she needs this. Any suggestions?

OP posts:

specialsubject · 29/03/2013 13:35

if you 'guess' she needs travel insurance it doesn't look good for either of you...

airlines can help with unaccompanied minors. contact them.

SquirtedPerfumeUpNoseInBoots · 29/03/2013 13:40

Not all airlines will take unaccompanied minors. Some have additional forms to fill in etc. check with the airline before you book the flight.

Longdistance · 29/03/2013 13:40

BA do unaccompanied minors. A really good system in place too.
Travel insurance would be good as health care isn't free in the US.
The films should keep her entertained, and if its a night flight she'll probably want to sleep anyway.

Original poster

Strix · 29/03/2013 14:31

I'm aware of the BA scheme, thanks. I was just wondering if anyone had any personal recommendation of good airlines. Price is also a factor.

Yes, I am American, and so familiar with the private medical system.

OP posts:

CydCharisse · 29/03/2013 14:49

You'll struggle to find travel insurance which will cover your child as your dependent when you are not present; and minors cannot be insured in their own right. The only company I have found which will do this is Insure and Go.

If she is travelling as an unaccompanied minor you will complete all the necessary details on the airline's own paperwork, but I always feel that a letter 'to whom it may concern' detailing the journey, her details, your details and the details of those who are meeting her would never go amiss. My DS carries such a letter now he travels alone (not as an UM) and found it useful when an immigration officer got a bit carried away with his questions.

HTH

Original poster

Strix · 08/04/2013 13:12

Does anyone have any experience of sending a minor to the states for the summer?

(I realise I may need a new thread title to attract the right responses here)

OP posts:

MadameDefarge · 08/04/2013 13:30

I sent my ds aged five to Canada for a month. I was heartbroken but he was going to stay with his dad and gps. He survived! its only seven hours and they have films and they are very well looked after. I send ds with Air Canada they were great. Don't know if they fly to US though. Although I will never forget the apoplexy of someone in the check in cue who objected very loudly to me and then airport staff that we were queue jumping! UM are always checked in immediately they arrive as they are all collected up to be escorted to the plane together if possible. I was shaking so much with fury! Luckily a lovely official told him off and made him go back in line.

Anecdote aside US border control very hot on checking that dcs have permission from both parents so I would call the consulate to see what documents they need.

MadameDefarge · 08/04/2013 13:31

special, I think your post was rather unhelpful. And rude. And makes it look like you can't actually read a post properly. This is not AIBU.

Original poster

Strix · 08/04/2013 13:59

Thanks Madame. Yes, I'm going to struggle a bit without her for four weeks. But she has lots of cousins, aunts/uncles, and grandparents whom she almost never sees. So we are maximising the return on the price of a plane ticket.

I will send her with all of the paperwork I can think of, including signatures from both parents. But, she will be carrying a US passport so I don't expect her to have any trouble at border control.

So I shall put Air Canada on the list... is your son a Canadian citizen?

OP posts:

Viviennemary · 08/04/2013 14:02

I don't think I would be very happy with a 10 year old flying alone. But I suppose if she doesn't have to change flights and nothing goes wrong it should be OK. But I wouldn't do it.

MadameDefarge · 08/04/2013 14:04

Not as yet. He flew on his British passport. but the airline had all the paperwork sorted so he just waltzed through customs accompanied and was handed over to dad who was waiting with his ID etc. Lucky I gave ds eps surname...exp very latino (half filiippino) and ds blond blue eyed anglo saxon little boy...

MadameDefarge · 08/04/2013 14:05

vivienne, it really is fine. they are waited on hand and foot, spoilt rotten and its a real adventure.

sannaville · 08/04/2013 14:11

I flew alone at 9 only from Scotland to Gatwick but I remember it being a real adventure!

Original poster

Strix · 08/04/2013 15:31

10 year old has been well involved in the decision. We tarted talking about it a couple of years ago. Then, she wanted to go but only if I was going too. This year, she is quite happy to lave me behind... .

She will have a great time getting to know cousins and friends she would otherwise grow up not knowing. And that would be worse in my opinion. She is a pretty independant kid. I asked her if she was going to miss me and she sid "Yeah, I'll miss you muumy. But I'm not gonna like sit in the corner crying about." And then rolled her eyes and laughed. So, I think she is ready now...

DS (aged 7, almost 8) is needy mama's boy and so he is not going.

OP posts:

Original poster

Strix · 08/04/2013 15:32

So we just need a plane ticket and health insurance.

OP posts:

MadameDefarge · 08/04/2013 16:08

No strix, you need to contact both the airline and the consulate to make sure you know what documentation they require to allow dd to travel.

Original poster

Strix · 08/04/2013 16:39

Why do I need to contact the consulate? She is a US Citizen. Have aI missed something?

OP posts:

MadameDefarge · 08/04/2013 16:41

US border officials are extremely vigilant especially regarding children and UM. to be on the safe side you need to ask. Yes she is a US citizen but that does not mean she has permission to travel. is about child abduction.

MadameDefarge · 08/04/2013 16:43

The US border between Canada refused exp and ds entry even though he had same surname as ds because he had no written permission from me for him to travel. You don't want her to get caught in some bureacracy hell. Just double check. The airline you choose will also advise as they will be the ones handling the documentation to get dd through border control.

MadameDefarge · 08/04/2013 16:44

I see that you have said you will provide two signatory document stating permission, but would be worth including her birth certificate and proof of residency in uk...there is always the return flight to think about.

NatashaBee · 08/04/2013 16:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Strix · 08/04/2013 16:53

Its okay. Just making sure I haven't missed anything. I have also asked my sister, who will be collecting her at the airport, to send me a photo copy of her identification so DD can have paperworks and signed instruction from me identifying the person to who she should be turned over. I may also include my marriage certificate so that they can see my maiden name is the same as my sister's current surname.

God information here, thank you.

Oh, she is also a UK citizen so I expect her to be let back in here as well. She has to take both because she has to leave and re-enter the uk on her UK passport. And she has to enter and leave the US on her US passport. (I learned this one once when I shipped her UK passport through and handed UK border control her US passport on departure. They were not happy with me!)

OP posts:

AttilaTheMeerkat · 08/04/2013 17:20

Both BA and Virgin fly to Chicago O'Hare; would suggest you use one of these carriers for your DD. Would use one of these in preference to a US based carrier.

Air Canada do not fly direct to any US city from the UK.

givemeaclue · 08/04/2013 18:55

Used to fly as ums all the time as kids between parents, we were in the junior jet club and had a logbook for the captain to sign each flight and a special gold winged brooch to wear each flight

LadyMountbatten · 08/04/2013 18:57

I flew every term alone as a ten year old.

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