Feb 24, 2016, 8:32 am
Last edit by: JDiver
Unaccompanied Minor Travel
Q. What is "unaccompanied minor" service provided by an airline?
As posted by a FT Flight Attendant: "The UM (service) provides escorted service on and off the plane, as well as handoff to the correct party. It also includes making sure the child gets the proper inflight service (food and beverages). It does not provide entertaining the child or supervising them."
Q. How old must minors be to travel unaccompanied?
The age will differ by airline. Call or read the website of the carrier you will use. If it's multiple carriers, many airlines will refuse to allow an unaccompanied minor.
For one example, read American Airlines' UNMR policy: Link to PDF.
American Airlines: Unaccompanied minor service
Our unaccompanied minor service is to ensure your child is boarded onto the aircraft, introduced to the flight attendant, chaperoned during connections and released to the appropriate person at their destination.
We won’t accept unaccompanied minors when their itineraries include:
Our unaccompanied minor service is to ensure your child is boarded onto the aircraft, introduced to the flight attendant, chaperoned during connections and released to the appropriate person at their destination.
We won’t accept unaccompanied minors when their itineraries include:
- A connection to/from another airline, including codeshare and oneworld® partners
- Ground / co-terminal connections (unaccompanied minors under 15 years, can’t use ground transportation alone)
That will also differ by carrier, just as connection and other policies will differ. American charges $150 for one or two UNMRs each way.
American Airlines:
- The unaccompanied minor service fee is $150 (plus tax) each way
- 2 or more unaccompanied minors from the same family, traveling on the same flights, will only be charged $150 (plus tax) each way
The airline generally requires proof of age for the child traveling alone (birth certificate, passport, etc.). The TSA will likely require this as well.
Q. What documentation do minors require for international travel?
Your unaccompanied minor will generally require his or her own passport for international travel.
Be sure your unaccompanied minor has a letter signed by both parents / guardians (or copy of documentation showing there is one person with sole custody) granting him permission to travel and noting who s/he will be residing with (and I suggest another granting the adults s/he to secure medical care for the minor). The letter should probably be notarized.
US Department of State:
LETTER OF CONSENT FOR TRAVEL OF A MINOR CHILD
Because of increasing instances of child abduction in custody cases, and a growing number of children who are the victims of trafficking or pornography, an immigration officer, airline, or travel company may ask you to provide some form of letter of consent if your child is traveling internationally with only one parent or with another adult, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc. The sample letter below is a guide only. You may also wish to have the letter of consent notarized.
Link to PDF of sample letter.
LETTER OF CONSENT FOR TRAVEL OF A MINOR CHILD
Because of increasing instances of child abduction in custody cases, and a growing number of children who are the victims of trafficking or pornography, an immigration officer, airline, or travel company may ask you to provide some form of letter of consent if your child is traveling internationally with only one parent or with another adult, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc. The sample letter below is a guide only. You may also wish to have the letter of consent notarized.
Link to PDF of sample letter.
Q. What if the minor is traveling internationally with another adult (accompanied minor)?
See the letter authorizing travel, mentioned above. As well, you can ask the airline to add a "TCP* note" in his PNR (booking record) to show s/he is traveling with another adult(s) other than both parents (one parent, relatives, friends). It might be useful to do the same for the adult; this also may help the airline to assure they're not assigned different flights in case of travel disruption.
* "To Complete Party"
Unaccompanied Minors
Nov 16, 2006, 4:37 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 186
SWA doesn't have an escort fee, because they don't have an escort program, as such. Unaccompanied kids are given a neck-pouch ID, preboarded first, and seated in the bulkhead row if there is space, but that's pretty much the extent of the "service". They do carefully check the ID of the person claiming the child at the destination gate, though.
I'd say that as long as he's an experienced flyer and not frightened to do it, AND as long as he doesn't have to change planes, he should be OK. You can ask for an escort pass to take him to the gate and stay there until the flight departs, and his dad should meet him at the gate at his destination. You should also give him some pocket money, a phone card and all relevant numbers, and a packed lunch which is NOT pbj (in case there is an allergy alert on the flight), plus some quiet things with which to entertain himself.
The only possibility I see for a gotcha is if the plane hits a weather delay at the city where it stops, and they allow the continuing passengers to deplane. I don't know how SWA handles minors in a situation like that -- you should call and ask.
I'd say that as long as he's an experienced flyer and not frightened to do it, AND as long as he doesn't have to change planes, he should be OK. You can ask for an escort pass to take him to the gate and stay there until the flight departs, and his dad should meet him at the gate at his destination. You should also give him some pocket money, a phone card and all relevant numbers, and a packed lunch which is NOT pbj (in case there is an allergy alert on the flight), plus some quiet things with which to entertain himself.
The only possibility I see for a gotcha is if the plane hits a weather delay at the city where it stops, and they allow the continuing passengers to deplane. I don't know how SWA handles minors in a situation like that -- you should call and ask.
Nov 22, 2006, 9:20 am
#17
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Rio Rancho, NM - USA
Programs: DL, UA, WN, Amtrak, Hyatt, Accor
Posts: 1,793
My daughter flew from PHX to LBB several times a year from the age of five up. As I recall, there were no non-stops, the flites always stopped in ABQ but no change of aircraft.
She rapidly learned the drill, "the plane will make a stop and I don't get off, I get off at the second stop." She received a very thorough safety briefing before every flite: keep seat belt fastened at all times, try to sit next to a lady and not a man, always read the safety information card, know how to open all the exits (and be able to direct an adult how to do it), how to brace for an emergency landing, how to use the oxygen mask and how to crouch low in case of fire. We used to practice everything in the dining room with the chairs lined up like the aircraft interior! By the time she was seven, it was old hat, but we still went through everything before each trip.
She was taught that if anything went wrong (delay, cancellation) she was to stick to the side of a uniformed airline employee like glue. I had an 800 number (service provided by my long distance company) at my home and she knew she could use a payphone and call home without coins. She knew grandma's name, address, and phone number, plus the full names of several other people in case something happened to grandma on the way to the airport (flat tire, etc.).
She flew many many times without any incident at all. I've always felt that the maturity level of the child is the most important factor in deciding when they should fly alone. Some 8 and 9-year-olds are not mature enough to fly alone, IMO.
Believe it or not, when I worked at a major airline, people used to bring tiny children (3-4 years old) to the airport and try to fly them unaccompanied. This happened fairly often and we would refuse to transport them unless they could prove they were at least age 5.
She rapidly learned the drill, "the plane will make a stop and I don't get off, I get off at the second stop." She received a very thorough safety briefing before every flite: keep seat belt fastened at all times, try to sit next to a lady and not a man, always read the safety information card, know how to open all the exits (and be able to direct an adult how to do it), how to brace for an emergency landing, how to use the oxygen mask and how to crouch low in case of fire. We used to practice everything in the dining room with the chairs lined up like the aircraft interior! By the time she was seven, it was old hat, but we still went through everything before each trip.
She was taught that if anything went wrong (delay, cancellation) she was to stick to the side of a uniformed airline employee like glue. I had an 800 number (service provided by my long distance company) at my home and she knew she could use a payphone and call home without coins. She knew grandma's name, address, and phone number, plus the full names of several other people in case something happened to grandma on the way to the airport (flat tire, etc.).
She flew many many times without any incident at all. I've always felt that the maturity level of the child is the most important factor in deciding when they should fly alone. Some 8 and 9-year-olds are not mature enough to fly alone, IMO.
Believe it or not, when I worked at a major airline, people used to bring tiny children (3-4 years old) to the airport and try to fly them unaccompanied. This happened fairly often and we would refuse to transport them unless they could prove they were at least age 5.
Nov 25, 2006, 8:53 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Boston environs
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 559
I agree with the sentiment that it's really about how mature the child is, and
also about how he feels about doing it. My 8.5yo is mature and
capable in the sense of being reliable/polite and knowing safety rules etc.,
but he would be way too nervous to do a flight on his own because
of fears of kidnapping or other things out of his control.
If your son does take the trip, I second all the recommendations about
toys, instructions, snacks, etc. I'd add that if he likes to read or play
[quiet] video games, those could be nice diversions as well. Just make sure
that he doesn't get so absorbed in his book that he misses an announcement.
I don't think Southwest allows unaccompanied minors to be on flights
unless they are nonstop, and I'm pretty sure that the age cutoff is more than
4 and less than 7, because of the situation when we looked into it a while
back. But it sounds like both of those issues are non-issues for the OP.
I've always wondered about those ID-neck-pouches, because they seem
to scream, "child alone here!!" and I'm not crazy about the security
implications of that.
For those who recommend "stay by a woman instead of by a man" to their
kids, is that statistically safer? I always recommend "look for a mommy with
young children" if you get lost.
--LG
also about how he feels about doing it. My 8.5yo is mature and
capable in the sense of being reliable/polite and knowing safety rules etc.,
but he would be way too nervous to do a flight on his own because
of fears of kidnapping or other things out of his control.
If your son does take the trip, I second all the recommendations about
toys, instructions, snacks, etc. I'd add that if he likes to read or play
[quiet] video games, those could be nice diversions as well. Just make sure
that he doesn't get so absorbed in his book that he misses an announcement.
I don't think Southwest allows unaccompanied minors to be on flights
unless they are nonstop, and I'm pretty sure that the age cutoff is more than
4 and less than 7, because of the situation when we looked into it a while
back. But it sounds like both of those issues are non-issues for the OP.
I've always wondered about those ID-neck-pouches, because they seem
to scream, "child alone here!!" and I'm not crazy about the security
implications of that.
For those who recommend "stay by a woman instead of by a man" to their
kids, is that statistically safer? I always recommend "look for a mommy with
young children" if you get lost.
--LG
Nov 26, 2006, 7:20 pm
#19
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 20
My child has flown alone 2x now, and I think he handled it much better than me. He was 9 the first time. But he flew Continental both times. I can only tell you my experience with that airline. He was given an armband (think hospital ID band), and I filled out paperwork at the check in stating who was picking him up and listing an alternate contact in the destination city in case of emergency. I was given a pass to get through security. When we got to the gate and he was boarded (even before the 1st class) his paperwork was collected by the attendant and each person whose care he was handed off to along the route signed the bottom (his had a plane change in Houston). At the destination, the person listed to be picking him up (his grandmother) showed ID, and signed that she had "recieved" the goods. Same coming back.
I did have a nervous time the first return when his first leg was delayed by a storm, and it was unsure whether he would make the connection (the last arriving flight from Houston that evening, I understand that was a fluke though, they weren't supposed to have booked him on last flights). The agents I spoke to were wonderful about keeping me updated, and letting me know that he HAD made the connection so "Hurry and go pick up your son!" I got the the airport right after his plane had landed, so the gate agents had brought him into their lounge and set him up in front of the TV.
I was sure to point out the uniforms the agents were wearing, and told my son to stay exactly where the agents told him to, and not to wander off AT ALL. I told him if he felt unsure about something, to go the gate counter and ask for help from the agents, not from random people about the terminal.
I agree with a previous poster that this decision should be based on your child's maturity level. Before I did this, I spoke with some flight attendant friends who explained what children traveling alone should expect, and they also relieved my fears about him being lost or accidently ending up in Rome.
I did have a nervous time the first return when his first leg was delayed by a storm, and it was unsure whether he would make the connection (the last arriving flight from Houston that evening, I understand that was a fluke though, they weren't supposed to have booked him on last flights). The agents I spoke to were wonderful about keeping me updated, and letting me know that he HAD made the connection so "Hurry and go pick up your son!" I got the the airport right after his plane had landed, so the gate agents had brought him into their lounge and set him up in front of the TV.
I was sure to point out the uniforms the agents were wearing, and told my son to stay exactly where the agents told him to, and not to wander off AT ALL. I told him if he felt unsure about something, to go the gate counter and ask for help from the agents, not from random people about the terminal.
I agree with a previous poster that this decision should be based on your child's maturity level. Before I did this, I spoke with some flight attendant friends who explained what children traveling alone should expect, and they also relieved my fears about him being lost or accidently ending up in Rome.
Jul 16, 2007, 2:59 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Riverside, CA ONT
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 205
Unaccompanied 13 Yr Old
I was surprised to find out that my 13 year old Daughter can fly from ONT-DEN-MKE unaccompanied. I think I will pay the $99 each way to have her chaperonned, but was just wondering if some of you think I'm paranoid. She'll have a 3 hour layover in DEN, and I just don't feel comfortable with leaving her by herself.
Jul 16, 2007, 3:09 pm
#22
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
Programs: UA "Lifetime" Gold, AS MVPG100K, OW Emerald, HH Lifetime Diamond, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 9,490
I think you are a wise parent, and most FTers discussing a recent news story would agree:
http://tinyurl.com/32avpj
http://tinyurl.com/32avpj
Jul 16, 2007, 4:47 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Frankfurt, Germany/Washington DC
Programs: HH Silver, Eurostar CarteBlanche
Posts: 244
Steve, Please pay the fee and know that it will be worth its weight in gold if there is irregular operations in her connecting city. Also- one more tip I would STRONGLY advise is to see that she is sat next to a passenger of the same gender . If that cannot be determoned at check -in, please tell her to go to the gate and ask again. You may be able to get a pass to escort her to the gate.
Jul 16, 2007, 4:51 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Programs: UA 1MM, SPG Gold, EVA Diamond
Posts: 1,072
Having done it when I was younger, I HIGHLY recommend you paying the fee.
If this were a simple local-local small airport trip, I could see you doing it as a way to build independence, but anything else, it is definitely NOT worth the risk.
If this were a simple local-local small airport trip, I could see you doing it as a way to build independence, but anything else, it is definitely NOT worth the risk.
Jul 16, 2007, 4:53 pm
#26
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,027
I was surprised to find out that my 13 year old Daughter can fly from ONT-DEN-MKE unaccompanied. I think I will pay the $99 each way to have her chaperonned, but was just wondering if some of you think I'm paranoid. She'll have a 3 hour layover in DEN, and I just don't feel comfortable with leaving her by herself.
Back in the day when I was paying these fees, it was $25.
My then eight-year-old son once described his experience this way: "The flight attendant took me to this very nice room with lots of toys and games and lots of other kids. Sometimes one of the kids would leave and never come back."
Jul 16, 2007, 4:57 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SEA/YVR/BLI
Programs: UA "Lifetime" Gold, AS MVPG100K, OW Emerald, HH Lifetime Diamond, IC Plat, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 9,490
Oh, and FWIW stevescottcfi we utilized the service for our then-15-year-old daughter, who had never traveled by herself, and she didn't feel she was being babied and was very happy to have the support.
Cheers,
Fredd
Jul 16, 2007, 5:05 pm
#28
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Posts: 52,140
Jul 16, 2007, 5:07 pm
#29
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Riverside, CA ONT
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 205
Thanks for all the feedback.
I tried to pay for the "escort service", but since it was the last flight of the day, they wouldn't allow it. We had a nice 2pm departure booked, but had to change it to 6am so it wouldn't be the last flight of the day. Neither of us is a morning person, but at least I'll have some peace of mind after she leaves.
I tried to pay for the "escort service"
, but since it was the last flight of the day, they wouldn't allow it. We had a nice 2pm departure booked, but had to change it to 6am so it wouldn't be the last flight of the day. Neither of us is a morning person, but at least I'll have some peace of mind after she leaves.
Jul 16, 2007, 5:14 pm
#30
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: VX unless destination indicates otherwise (damn hippieanarchistville--EUG--and PHX)
Posts: 577
When I was younger
When I was younger (12) I flew from SEA-IAD-BDL as a UM and I was fine, I was also very informed and knew all combinations of flights to BDL at the time but if she is an experienced flyer there should be no problem.
Also I connected through PDX as a UM when I was 13 and it was fine.
In any case try and make a list of all ways from ONT-MKE on all airlines. For example cnx through ORD, SFO, LAX on UA and also flights like ONT-LAX-SFO-ORD-MKE or other to insure if the worst happens there will be a way to end the trip that day.
I would say that if experienced save your money, if not experienced it may be a good idea to pay the $
Also I connected through PDX as a UM when I was 13 and it was fine.
In any case try and make a list of all ways from ONT-MKE on all airlines. For example cnx through ORD, SFO, LAX on UA and also flights like ONT-LAX-SFO-ORD-MKE or other to insure if the worst happens there will be a way to end the trip that day.
I would say that if experienced save your money, if not experienced it may be a good idea to pay the $
Last edited by prismwiz; Jul 16, 2007 at 5:15 pm Reason: adding on reason