Young Teen Flying Alone First Time Out & Into Logan ...
Jan 5, 2012, 2:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3
Young Teen Flying Alone First Time Out & Into Logan ...
Granddaughter is 14, can fly alone on JetBlue now, but is a little skittish about flying out of Boston ... she will have to find her way from security to her gate in Terminal C/ JetBlue. Then on her return, she will have to make her way to baggage claim to meet her family. (Her destination is Raleigh, a smaller airport, where I don't have as much concern.) Are there plenty of info desks, security people, etc. around if she should feel unsure of where she's going, etc.? We would like her to be escorted to her gate by family, and have her met by family there on her return but doubt that the airline will let us do that now?
I've only been in and out of Logan a couple of times so can't remember how chaotic (or not) it is! Thanks for any opinions!
I've only been in and out of Logan a couple of times so can't remember how chaotic (or not) it is! Thanks for any opinions!
Jan 5, 2012, 2:30 pm
#2
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Hi bonniebroad, welcome to FT! I'm going to move this over to our New England destination forum, so the experts there can help you.
Jenbel
Co-moderator, Communitybuzz!
Jenbel
Co-moderator, Communitybuzz!
Jan 5, 2012, 2:36 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2009
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My mother was able to accompany my 14yo daughter to her gate at ORD. She received a pass for security when she checked in. That may help one way. Don't know if you could possibly do it on the arrival side if you had all info for the airline on her flight. Couldn't hurt to ask.
Jan 5, 2012, 3:33 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2008
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I fly out of terminal C fairly regularly at BOS and don't anticipate there being an issue for your granddaughter. Over the summer the central security check point was completed allowing access to all gate areas from a single checkpoint and helped reduce wait times. All of the JetBlue gates are in the same area and their personnel are by and large friendly and willing to assist passengers. If the family would like, they should be able to obtain a gate pass from the ticket counter allowing them to accompany her to the gate area. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask away or PM. Safe travels!
Jan 5, 2012, 3:47 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3
You're all so helpful ... thanks so much! Happy to hear any other comments people have. I'm wondering, if my son takes her flight itinerary to the JetBlue counter, if they will allow him a pass to go to her gate area to meet her when she gets back into Boston. Hope so!
Jan 5, 2012, 3:56 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Boston, MA (BOS)
Programs: AA PLT Pro 2MM, DL Gold, UA Silver, Marriott Ambassador + LT Plat, COFC Venture X, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 5,587
You're all so helpful ... thanks so much! Happy to hear any other comments people have. I'm wondering, if my son takes her flight itinerary to the JetBlue counter, if they will allow him a pass to go to her gate area to meet her when she gets back into Boston. Hope so!
Jan 5, 2012, 4:34 pm
#8
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Welcome to Flyertalk.
You may be able to get a gate pass to meet them on both the arrivial or departure. Have your son call JetBlue and ask if it's possible. Plan for both ways, as sometimes they will say yes, but you end up with somebody at the airport who is not so generous.
On JetBlue's Boston page they say
When a gate pass is issued, it is the TSA's decision as to whether a young child, in addition to the unaccompanied minor, may pass through security with the adult.
and
When picking up an unaccompanied minor, one person may receive a gate pass to proceed into the arrivals area to meet the minor. Please arrive at the airport no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled arrival; however, for early morning arrivals, please check the ticket counter hours.
Of course, that also depends on how strictly they follow their definition of an unaccompanied minor, as they say at 14 she will no longer be one
A child who has reached their fourteenth birthday and is traveling alone is no longer considered an unaccompanied minor.
Getting off is not really a problem, she will just follow everybody else and the signs to baggage claim and exit.
Depending on the time, there will be airline employees around to point in the right direction. If she has a phone, ask that she call as soon as she gets off the plane so they can be expecting her and not be worried if the plane is delayed a few minutes.
You may be able to get a gate pass to meet them on both the arrivial or departure. Have your son call JetBlue and ask if it's possible. Plan for both ways, as sometimes they will say yes, but you end up with somebody at the airport who is not so generous.
On JetBlue's Boston page they say
When a gate pass is issued, it is the TSA's decision as to whether a young child, in addition to the unaccompanied minor, may pass through security with the adult.
and
When picking up an unaccompanied minor, one person may receive a gate pass to proceed into the arrivals area to meet the minor. Please arrive at the airport no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled arrival; however, for early morning arrivals, please check the ticket counter hours.
Of course, that also depends on how strictly they follow their definition of an unaccompanied minor, as they say at 14 she will no longer be one
A child who has reached their fourteenth birthday and is traveling alone is no longer considered an unaccompanied minor.
Getting off is not really a problem, she will just follow everybody else and the signs to baggage claim and exit.
Depending on the time, there will be airline employees around to point in the right direction. If she has a phone, ask that she call as soon as she gets off the plane so they can be expecting her and not be worried if the plane is delayed a few minutes.