Flying while a minor
 

Customers ages 12-18 (young travelers) are essentially treated as independent adults. You can get a pass to take them to the gate if you want but they can also go on their own. Southwest doesn't provide any special service for them.

What is your question?

I think OP is looking at the unaccompanied minor rules, which apply to kids under 12.

This is a link for SWA Young travelers (12 through 17) terms and conditions:

https://www.southwest.com/help/flyin...and-conditions

What you described in your orignal post seems to track with the info they published on their web site.

It does seem confusing but:

You'll need all the demographic info of the YT when making the reservation, but no proof of guardianship is required. You need this anyway for all travelers, no?

Bringing a copy of the itinerary is always smart, especially for the YT. Also helps secure the gate pass too if you choose to escort.

What is not explicit, nor explicitly prohibited, is if the YT shows up at the counter alone to check in. Or the TSA checkpoint.

I think that is the real question Mr. NoStressHere.

Since they lump the 12 to 18 yo YT together, I'm guessing they can be alone if you choose them to be. They are not going to get WN support anyway.

They few times I did this for the younger end of the range, I escorted and waited for my own comfort but don't recall anything was required.

being at that age it depends greatly on the child’s knowledge and experience on what to do. There is nothing wrong with getting an Scott pass and waiting for the flight to board and take off in case there are problems.

do an email to corporate office instead of waiting on the phone

chris Elliot ( travel writer, consumer advocate) has a good site for corporate contact email addresses and phone numbers.

The reason to even go to the gate and to wait at the gate until the plane takes off is in the event of a delay or any other issue that might relate to the plane coming back to the gate. Only you know how savvy your grandson is in a case of getting stranded at the airport and having to make arrangements for himself.

My older son was a very avid traveler at your grandson's age and he would have known exactly what to do in the case of a problem. My younger son at 15 would have been totally lost.

At 15, a lot of other airlines would charge $150 to be able to have them fly alone. Southwest’s Young Traveler program starting at 12 without charge (and the 12-18 can be an “adult” for a younger kid too) is great!

A 15-year-old pays no add-on fee on AA/DL/UA if they decline special services. No escort to "the authorized adult" when they land. No trackable wrist band or special kids' lounge.

As mentioned below, not true for 15, but is true for 12-14. A bit of a double edged sword though as WN doesn't offer that service for 12-17 if you desire it.