children flying alone

[Imachickadee75]

Okay first let me say that I agree with all of the above. A child could be seated next to a child molester and even one way flights could be diverted. But, in answer to the question, "Why would anyone do this?", you have to think low income, broken families that are REQUIRED to allow visitation for the summer or Christmas or what have you. This made me think of my sister in law who lives in NJ and her ex-husband lives in Florida. Both of them are employed but make little money and their divorce decree states my niece must go visit him every summer and some holidays.

Is it feasible for them to take off work to drive her down and back up? No.

Is it feasible for them to take off work, buy another ticket twice (for the noncustodial parent to go home and come back) to deliver her? No.

Is it reasonable for them to assume that because the airlines OFFER the service of managing a UM that they will DO THEIR JOB? Yes.

I can't say that I would want to do it knowing what I know and what you've offered but I think the blame needs to go to the airlines and not the parents who are often stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Jackie

[quapamom]

OK, I have to weigh in here. I think it is scary what could happen with UM's travelling today. That said, I non reved solo at 13. I was a mature 13, but still 13. Parents were divorced, mom had flight benefits, custody arrangement, etc. I started with 2 legs connecting in Seattle because that was what it was. Eventually I was doing 3 legs through Seattle and San Francisco. Did I get stuck? Sure! I learned the most comfortable places to wait in those airports but I usually just stayed near the gates with agents near by. I do remember sleeping on my bags in Seattle one night, or at least trying to.

I survived, but seeing as that was 20 years ago, times have changed. I had no idea that they allow non rev um's. That is risky! The liability on an overnight stay is frightening. I wouldn't have liked to be a um back then. I liked my freedom to go to the gift shop and spend my babysitting money on magazines and such whenever I wanted.

Would I let my own children do the UM thing? Probably not. I think it puts too much faith in strangers to do their job.

[Imachickadee75]

I dont think they allow non rev UM's. SkyWest doesn't on buddy passes that is for sure.

As for my kids traveling on their benefits...DH and I got to laughing about how well versed my three year old is already in non reving. It puts a whole different spin on running away than when we took off on foot down the road!!!! I can just see him stepping up to the counter telling them exactly what he needs to say and making it happen. Not really of course but he's so verbal and observant I think he really could do it! I wonder at what age they can initiate their own travel??? I'll have to look it up.

Jackie

[Mistress Trista]

I definately blame the airlines, more so than the parents. I think it's crazy to trust strangers to take care of you kids, but I also think the airlines are much more lax about the whole thing than people realize. Such as the gate agent who put the child on the last flight out and dh had to go to the supervisor to get it changed because the first gate agent wouldn't. That's the kind of stuff that pisses me off. The total disreguard, couldn't care less.

My son flew alone at 15 to go see his grandmother 7 years ago. He did fine, but he was mature and looked much older at 6'2". My 13 year old is now pushing 6'1 1/2" It's insane.

But 8 is just way too young. I have that same situation, or did the when the kids were younger on visitation with their dad. I don't care what a court says. If he wanted to see the kids, he bought a ticket and met me halfway at the HUB going and coming. If not, he didnt' get them. Period. He tried to fight it, but I stuck to my guns.

NOw the 22 year old just drives there and will sometimes take his brother with him, but most of the time the younger one doesn't want to go. Long story on that one...

[Adreamer's_wfe]

Thank you for this message!!

DH and I debate this - his parents want Emily (8) to fly by herself to Taiwan!! They think I am totally unreasonable becuase I absolutley will not even consider it. I did volunteer this summer to fly with Emily, stay a week, fly back to the US and then have one of them fly her back. They said no, they all have jobs, and no one had time to do that.

I know that people get in really hard spots sometimes, but I don't think I could even breath while my child was flying. Anything could happen and does.

DH has never mentioned UM - I am going to bring it now though, and see what he says, I am curious.

[Regina]

I can see why in divorce this situation happens, but the first responsibility is always a parent. Just like Trista said, she wouldn't allow for them to go on their own and insisted that they don't. Too many things can happen. I think we can't rely on services of other people, even if it is offered. Too many times those services fail. What is the most important thing we have as a parent? I would hope everyone says their children. Would you trust an airline with a 100,000 diamond necklace....? probably not, so why trust an airline with a child?

My sister was in the same situation with a divorce, not much money, etc. I think she might have paid the money once to have the airline help, but after once, she said that she wouldn't do it again.

I know we get in tough situations, but these are our non-replacable kids. Just my opinion, but since airlines are not obviously equipped to do a good job at this, why even offer such a service where the potential of liability is there? Yes, I know why they do it....$$$$$$$. But, I just don't see them cabable of doing a good job at watching these kids from destination a to destination b.