Minor Child and air travel question?

[Tenaj]

My 12 ds is traveling to Flordia next week with his grandparents. I've done some research but can't find anything specific to this situation. Is he required to have some sort of identification? From what I can see, a minor isn't required to have anything special but I wanted to make sure.

 

Also, since he's traveling without us, does anyone know if we need to do something to grant permission for him to travel with his grandparents? When my dd traveled with them earlier this year we had to fill out a permission form for international travel but I can't seem to find the equivalent for domestic travel.

 

Thank you so much for any information you can give me.

Edited March 12, 2009 by JanOH
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[Anne Rittenhouse]

We make sure our son has his passport, his residency card, and a notarized letter detailing who he's traveling with and the details of his travel arrangements, even when he's traveling with just one of us.

 

He should have a photo ID and his grandparents should have a notarized letter stating that you (his parents) know and approve of the travel itinerary and his grandparents shoud have a transfer of medical authority letter also. Something that will allow them to access and make emergency medical decisions for your son until you can be reached or arrive on scene.

 

This is what we do for our son when he travels independently from the both of us.

[Laura Corin]

When Calvin travelled independently, we had to fill in forms specifying who would receive him at the other end of the journey.

 

Laura

[linders]

Just returned from traveling within the US with my two DS without DH. Didn't need any i.d. for the boys, nor was there an issue about the "missing parent." However, I would give the grandparents a notarized letter authorizing them to accompany your son, and include a medical authorization for treatment just in case of an emergency.

[debbiec]

I'm "retired" from Customer Service (the one wh accepts your minor children for travel, etc. and all my siblings are still with the airline and little has changed (except carry on items and security checkpoint procedures).

 

Once a child turns 12, they are free to travel independantly domestically. Only adults 18 and older are required to show ID.

 

As a parent, I agree with giving the grandparents legal authorization to have your child medically treated (like you would give for any sports group or scouts). And I would make sure your child has any phone numbers handy on them they might need whilte traveling. I worked 16 years in the industry and we were having to call parents occasionally over missed connections, etc..... most 12 year olds were a lot more responsible than you would think though.

 

I'm assuming they are not on a connecting flight or direct flight. Some things to advise kids is STAYING ON THE PLANE on a direct flight. I can't tell you how many ADULTS get off in the wrong city and don't realize it, because they run to the bathroom, and by the time the wander around a few minutes finally realizing they are in the wrong city, they missed their flight. Frankly, I've never seen a teen or tween do this ~ only adults :)

 

Also, if connecting, just make sure they go DIRECTLY to the next gate for check in. I say this because mane passengers don't think about local time changes and undereatimate connections times due t that fact.

 

And mostly, I would advise your child to NEVER be scared to ask a UNIFORMED employee for help or to just clarify the time, etc. Since the child is 12 and not an "unaccompanied minor" (11 or younger), the gradnparents will not be allowed to go to the gate to meet your child. Airline personal know exactly who the "11 and youngers" are (it's on the flight information passed from city to city by name), so the local arriving city knows which parents can go to the gate to meet kids. Some airports may make exceptions, but just know generally, that is the rule and except to bump up against it.

 

In all my years we seldom ever had problems with kids (except bizarre custody cases...I won't go there). They really travel quite well and I'm always amazed at the general public how some adult will always be friendly with youg teens and steer them the right direction to baggage service, or just kind of "watch" to make sure they find their party (if young teens). I know that sounds like a situation for a predator, but frankly, I have never heard of such in these situations.

 

Also, if flying on Southwest ~ tell them to find some nice mom with kids to sit by :) Mom's are always enjoying the extra set of hands for young children, and they are the best candidate to keep a distant eye on your kid.

 

But for all the id stuff some others mentioned, maybe for overseas, but not domestic. But, ALWAYS check with your carrier to make sure.

[JFSinIL]

When we flew to California this past June from Chicago, going and coming back the kids ages 12 - 16 (then) had to have their photo ids and their own boarding pass to get through security (O'Hare and John Wayne airports). I had gotten them state id's.

[debbiec]

Here is from the TSA website:

 

 

 

We encourage each adult traveler to keep his/her airline boarding pass and government-issued photo ID available until exiting the security checkpoint (children are not required to show identification). The absence of proper identification will result in additional screening.

 

 

 

There are four ways to obtain a boarding pass:

 

• Go to your airline's ticket counter at the airport
  
• Use curbside check-in
  
• Use your airline's self-service ticket kiosk in the airport lobby
  
• Print the boarding pass from your airline's website
  

If you aren't traveling and need to go through the security checkpoint to accompany someone such as a child or other traveler with medical conditions who is traveling, check with the airline for required documentation

______________________

 

From more info on the web site ~

 

Effective June 21, 2008, adult passengers (18 and over) are required to show a U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID that contains the following: name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and a tamper-resistant feature in order to be allowed to go through the checkpoint and onto their flight.

 

 

________________________

 

But, if you have concerns, by all means get an state id. At work, we used to get them often for teens/tweens and we always were told to "check" them since parents went to so much trouble to get them. They were not required though. We had too many incidents where parents went to a lot of trouble and expense to get them, because they thought they needed them (heard it from another mom, etc), and if you didn't check them, they were VERY angry. It was just simpler to take a glance at it, marked that you saw it and send them on their way. :D

 

But, getting an id never hurts. And the reality is, you can ask three different airline employees and not all of them will tell you the same thing (espeically if new, part time or a contract employee). Your airline should have the ID requirements posted on their website. I would trust it more than someone on the phone (or me) and check the TSA website (which is quoted above). When push comes to shove, what is printed is what the rules are. Not every employee knows them as well as they should.

 

If you want to "cover all your bases" ~ get a passport for the kids, they are valid longer than a state id, though more expensive and time consuming. Also, if your child ever travels out of the country for a mission trip or something....you have it.

Edited March 12, 2009 by debbiec

[Tenaj]

Thank you all so much for the replies. I have an email into AirTran asking what they recommend but haven't heard back from them. I have written a Consent for him to travel with his grandparents and for medical treatment which we will get notarized this afternoon.

 

My husband was flying out of LA a few weeks ago and asked the TSA guy about the situation and he said no picture i.d. was necessary but it makes me nervous when I hear stories of it being asked for . . . Probably should have just gotten a passport for him but the price made me wince if he didn't really need it and now it's a moot point because he leaves on Tuesday. I can still get a state i.d. if the airline thinks it's necessary.

 

I appreciate all your knowledge, experience and input frome everyone! I knew I could get some direction here.

[eternalknot]

Once a child turns 12, they are free to travel independantly domestically. Only adults 18 and older are required to show ID.

 

At my airline, the age cut off is 16 - any one younger would need special paperwork to fly as an unaccompanied minor. This probably varies from airline to airline.

 

Kids accompanying an adult through security don't need IDs. And it's rare the ticket agent who wouldn't print out a "get through security" pass so that a parent could walk their minor child through security.

 

Debbiec had fabulous advice :) especially the part about finding another mom!

[debbiec]

My sister who is still with a major carrier and deals with all this stuff daily said that though a photo id not required for anyone under 18. However, you should bring a copy of the child's birth certificate in case someone wants to see some form of id. It's highly possible they may not have to present it, but it should be brought in any case.

[AmyP]

Due to custody arrangements, my older kids (then 13 & 14) flew about 25 times last year on AirTran as unaccompanied minors. We were allowed to escort them to the gate and their father was allowed through security to meet them at the gate at the other end. They didn't need any kind of ID, though we did have to fill out forms with contact information for the responsible parties at each end. That was pretty much it.

 

Amy

Edited March 12, 2009 by AmyP

[Mountain View Academy]

From AirTran's website:

A child twelve (12) to fifteen (15) years of age is not required to travel as an unaccompanied minor. However, AirTran will accept children in this age category as unaccompanied minors upon request. Their itinerary may include a connecting flight, provided the connecting flight is not the last flight of the day to their destination. All applicable fees will apply. Registering a child as an unaccompanied minor ensures that the child will be in the custodial care of AirTran at all times.

 

 

Unaccompanied minors will be charged a fee of $39 one-way on nonstop and direct flights or $78 roundtrip. If two (2) or more children are traveling together, only one (1) charge is applicable. When an unaccompanied minor's itinerary involves a connecting flight, a fee of $59 one-way or $118 roundtrip will be charged. If two (2) or more children are traveling together, only one (1) charge is applicable.

[dee67p]

Hey, I agree with everything said here except for the security at O'Hare issue with no photo identification. I show up with 3 kids and DM cards (instead of tickets) and my drivers license. Each child is dressed according to airline stand-by dress code and there has been absolutely no problem flying within the USA or abroad in the past 2.5 years. Each child has their own passport of course, which, if you had one of those for him, then send it with him. I send all the insurance information with my in-laws when they take our kids as stand-bys too (they have the same priviledges as we do because it's their son who works for the airlines). My kids do security better than most adults because of the practice and we always have to do carry on baggage because we don't know if we're getting on the plane.

[Ailaena]

I emphatically agree that you should pay the extra $$ to send your 12yo as a UM. If you choose otherwise, you will not be allowed to accompany your child to the gate, and he will have to make his own way from the gate to to pickup area. Plus, he will not get special treatment! I know they say that only one parent can accompany past security, but I have seen whole families be allowed through to see off one child, and my parents have both been allowed to meet her at times.

 

Incidentally, Frontier requires anyone under 15 to fly as a UM and anyone under 18 can pay for the services. She has never been asked to show ID, they dont even expect it.

[lynn]

My 12 ds is traveling to Flordia next week with his grandparents. I've done some research but can't find anything specific to this situation. Is he required to have some sort of identification? From what I can see, a minor isn't required to have anything special but I wanted to make sure.

 

Also, since he's traveling without us, does anyone know if we need to do something to grant permission for him to travel with his grandparents? When my dd traveled with them earlier this year we had to fill out a permission form for international travel but I can't seem to find the equivalent for domestic travel.

 

Thank you so much for any information you can give me.

 

 

Minors do not need identification. The airlines will put his travel info on a thing he'll wear around his neck until he meets up with his grandparents. He does not need any ID, maybe if they wanted to go to Canada or Mexico. You may want to give them a notorized note stating that they can authorize any medical care he may need along with his insurance card.