I'm 17 & will be traveling alone. What are the restrictions
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1
I'm 17 & will be traveling alone. What are the restrictions
Hi!
I'm 17 years old and a senior in high school. I will be traveling from Atlanta (ATL) to Los Angeles (LAX) in July. I'm going to book my ticket this weekend.
I am going because I am interested in several colleges and I plan to tour them. I'll be staying with my friend Jack who is a legal adult. My parents place full confidence in me to travel alone domestically, but we want to make sure that nothing will come up to disrupt anything. The plan is that my parents will drop me off in Atlanta and I'll go through check-in and security alone and then I'll land in L.A. and take public transportation (the bus) to Hermosa Beach, where I'll be staying.
When we look at the websites for all of the major airlines that serve this route, they generally only give us information about optional Unaccompanied Minors programs. I will not be enrolled in this type of program so does that mean that I will have full benefits as if I were an adult? Will I be allowed to take public transportation from LAX to Hermosa Beach?
I will have my Georgia state ID, a passport, and a credit card on me.
I'm 17 years old and a senior in high school. I will be traveling from Atlanta (ATL) to Los Angeles (LAX) in July. I'm going to book my ticket this weekend.
I am going because I am interested in several colleges and I plan to tour them. I'll be staying with my friend Jack who is a legal adult. My parents place full confidence in me to travel alone domestically, but we want to make sure that nothing will come up to disrupt anything. The plan is that my parents will drop me off in Atlanta and I'll go through check-in and security alone and then I'll land in L.A. and take public transportation (the bus) to Hermosa Beach, where I'll be staying.
When we look at the websites for all of the major airlines that serve this route, they generally only give us information about optional Unaccompanied Minors programs. I will not be enrolled in this type of program so does that mean that I will have full benefits as if I were an adult? Will I be allowed to take public transportation from LAX to Hermosa Beach?
I will have my Georgia state ID, a passport, and a credit card on me.
#2
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,782
Yer fine, act like an adult and and you will be treated like one (that applies to adults too).
My only suggestion would be to see if yer friend can pick you up at the airport. The bus system in LA is so-so and you might have to take more than one bus. The other alternative which I highly recommend (and did when I lived in LA) is to take the SuperShuttle to the South Bay. Common meeting area at the airport and you will get dropped off right at yer friend's place.
You do not need your passport - leave that at home. But take a copy of your driver's license just in case.
My only suggestion would be to see if yer friend can pick you up at the airport. The bus system in LA is so-so and you might have to take more than one bus. The other alternative which I highly recommend (and did when I lived in LA) is to take the SuperShuttle to the South Bay. Common meeting area at the airport and you will get dropped off right at yer friend's place.
You do not need your passport - leave that at home. But take a copy of your driver's license just in case.
#3
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
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You'll have no problem flying alone or taking the bus as a 17 year old. In all likelihood, no one will give you a second glance unless you're being obnoxious (using portable electronics without headphones or the sound muted, trying to order alcohol on the plane, etc.).
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2010
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At 17 you are traveling as an adult. You need the same documents as an adult, e.g., a driver's license (or other government-issued ID) for the security checkpoint.
With the exception of car rentals, hotels and liquor (maybe), your age won't matter.
With the exception of car rentals, hotels and liquor (maybe), your age won't matter.
#6
Join Date: Jun 2005
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OP, you will be fine.
#7
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
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http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/acceptable-ids
Adult passengers 18 and over must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel.
No need for a passport, as mentioned.
Note that if you take public transit, you'll either need to purchase a transit card or pay using cash on the bus.
You mention only taking a credit card. I would take some cash as well, just in case.
#8
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I concur in having an ideally notarized letter from both parents authorizing the travel (visiting an older male could look suspicious or cause concern) and also giving the friend a medical power of attorney or authorizing emergency medical care, with insurance details. AFAIK at 17 one is considered a minor for most medical situations.
#9
Join Date: Oct 2006
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When my daughter was 17 she missed the last connecting flight of the day due to weather delay and had to stay overnight at the airport. She marched over to the service desk and stated that she was a minor and the airline had to accommodate her during the overnight delay. I don't know if that was true, but the airline paid for her taxi and her hotel, adding in costs of dinner, breakfast and a movie. She called us from the concierge floor to let us know of the delay.
She said the "adults" had to manage on their own since it was weather delay.
She said the "adults" had to manage on their own since it was weather delay.
#10
Join Date: Jun 2007
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What if they question whether she's under 18 or not? Wouldn't it be easier to just show the photo ID, either the driver's license or passport.
I concur in having an ideally notarized letter from both parents authorizing the travel (visiting an older male could look suspicious or cause concern) and also giving the friend a medical power of attorney or authorizing emergency medical care, with insurance details. AFAIK at 17 one is considered a minor for most medical situations.
I concur in having an ideally notarized letter from both parents authorizing the travel (visiting an older male could look suspicious or cause concern) and also giving the friend a medical power of attorney or authorizing emergency medical care, with insurance details. AFAIK at 17 one is considered a minor for most medical situations.
I'd be wary of providing medical power of attorney to this person. Assuming he is not immediate family, I would not want to provide someone else the ability to make medical decisions which I, as the parent, would not necessarily make. Of course, it is dependent on the situation and the relationship, etc. Something to think about, but also not something to enter into lightly.
#11
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#12
Join Date: Mar 2015
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I traveled alone internationally since I was 13. It is fine. My family signed me up for unaccompanied minor for my first trip, basically you have GA/FA accompany you from the check-in counter to your gate, and after you land, from the gate to whoever you are going to meet at the destination. You get to use the security lineup for air crews, other then that, not much difference.