Identification for a 14 year old flying alone?

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Jun 10, 2010, 11:58 am

#16

Nevada1K

Join Date: Aug 2000

Location: LAS

Programs: WN:No status in 2015; UA:1K long gone (1995-2003).

Posts: 1,595

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgiveomatic

My child will be flying to "Grandma camp" this summer alone. I will take her to the gate but I am worried about the return trip since there is no paperwork on being an unaccompanied minor since she is old enough now to fly unescorted.

Anyone have ideas of what to use for identification so that she can get through security? We have an old passport (expired 2006), school id from 2008, and birth certificate or do we need to go to the Motor Vehicle department and get an id without the driving option.

A little off topic and not likely feasible before your child goes to "Grandma camp" this summer, but why not get the expired passport renewed now? I've had a passport continuously for over 30 years -- I want to be prepared to travel anywhere at anytime without worrying whether or not my passport is current. And to avoid expedite charges, the best time to renew one is a six week period when it's not likely it will be needed.

Given the need now for a passport for even land travel to Canada or Mexico (The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative), having a valid passport at virtually any age strikes me as a good idea.

Jun 15, 2010, 10:19 pm

#17

mvoight

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Join Date: May 2004

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Posts: 21,422

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomanybooks

It just occurred to me that I could pull up my Facebook page with my name and photo if needed, but I guess that's not secure enough for their purposes.

What ID did FB require?

Jul 21, 2012, 1:25 pm

#18

MileageAddict

Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz

Join Date: May 1998

Location: Washington, DC

Posts: 14,257

In the two years since this thread was last active, has there been any change in policy about ID for those under 18 traveling solo?

Jul 21, 2012, 7:59 pm

#19

johnslloyd

Join Date: Nov 2010

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Do not send the child on Delta! There was recently a big furor over on the Delta forum about an incident where two unacommpanied children under 15 without UM status and Delta shepherding were actually taken off a Delta flight and held in a lounge. Delta UM age is 15.

Jul 21, 2012, 10:15 pm

#20

jb3t

Join Date: Aug 2010

Programs: MR LT Titanium, SPG LT Plat & Plat 100, SWA A+ & CP

Posts: 1,093

My son has been flying alone a few times a year (to see his friend that used to live in the neighborhood). He's 15 now and has been flying alone since the age of 11. Never had an issue with An ID. Just walk up to security and they let him through.

Jul 22, 2012, 8:58 am

#21

t325

Join Date: Jun 2006

Location: STL

Posts: 1,546

Quote:

Originally Posted by curbcrusher

The TSA does not require ID for anyone under 18.

Just out of curiosity, how do you prove your age, if you're 16 but look like you're 18? You'd need an ID, right? Or do BPs for minors have some sort of mark on them indicating they're a minor?

Jul 22, 2012, 10:40 am

#22

atlandy

Join Date: May 2012

Posts: 16

Quote:

Originally Posted by curbcrusher

The TSA does not require ID for anyone under 18.

+1 - From personal experience they just ask you how old you are. When I do travel with my ID it just confuses the TDC and they just ask me how old I am and hand me back my ID.

Jul 22, 2012, 10:53 am

#23

MichaelEl2

Join Date: Nov 2011

Posts: 39

My girls, 16 and 14, just did a round-trip on WN and were never asked their age or if they had an ID by WN employees or the TSA. They're 5'8" and 5'7" and look older than they are.

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