The Travel With Children - Single Parent Travelling With Child(ren) Thread [Merged]
Nov 4, 2004, 4:08 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 320
I don't know whose rule AS was following, but my son and I weren't allowed to check in for our SF to Vancouver, Canada flight without Dad, who was parking the car. Only once he was at the counter with us would they give us boarding passes. (it wasn't because the reservations were linked - we had 3 separate records for FF tickets fom 3 different accounts)
Last edited by SptCA; Nov 4, 2004 at 5:38 pm
Nov 4, 2004, 4:16 pm
#17
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 15
About to travel with toddlers
I'm glad I came across this thread. I'm planning on taking my twin boys to the Philippines (my home country) for the first time next year (when they are 3 yrs old). I would have never thought a notarized letter from my husband would be required - but it might.
Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to check on this before we travel.
Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to check on this before we travel.
Nov 4, 2004, 7:14 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,542
Minor traveling with neither parent
Does anyone know if there are special requirements for minor children who are traveling to Mexico with a designated guardian? I know from the US Embassy that a notarized letter from both parents is required, but does this need to be translated into Spanish? And would it make a difference if the designated guardian is not a US citizen (he's Romanian)?
Nov 5, 2004, 7:20 am
#20
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Eco-Conscious Travel, United and Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,831
Originally Posted by climbermom
Does anyone know if there are special requirements for minor children who are traveling to Mexico with a designated guardian? I know from the US Embassy that a notarized letter from both parents is required, but does this need to be translated into Spanish? And would it make a difference if the designated guardian is not a US citizen (he's Romanian)?
Here is what the US Department of State has to say about at least one of your questions though:
In cases in which a minor child is traveling to Mexico alone or in someone else's company, both parents (or the sole, documented custodial parent) should provide notarized consent. <snip>. Mexican entry regulations require Spanish translations of all legal documents, including notarized consent decrees and court agreements. Enforcement of this provision is not always consistent, however, and English-language documents are almost always sufficient.
Last edited by l etoile; Nov 5, 2004 at 7:27 am
Nov 7, 2004, 5:13 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NW Platinum, UA UGS, Hertz Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 152
Although they ask for a translated copy of the notorization for Mexico, I have never had a problem taking my kids into the country without my wife even though our letter was written in English.
Nov 30, 2004, 7:41 am
#22
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Eco-Conscious Travel, United and Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
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Posts: 17,831
Add Costa Rica to the list. Minors departing there need to have both parents present or a notarized letter. They even have a special line for anyone traveling with children to make sure this check takes place.
Dec 6, 2004, 10:06 am
#23
Join Date: May 2003
Location: IAH
Programs: formerly UA GS, now lowly MM lifetime gold :(
Posts: 1,204
Canada is hit or miss. About a year ago I was traveling with my son and was sent to immigration for not having a letter. Since then, I always carry a letter but have yet to be asked for it. go figure.
The wife and kids arrived in the UK separately from me on a recent trip (May) and were not asked for the letter she carried. No sweat.
The wife and kids arrived in the UK separately from me on a recent trip (May) and were not asked for the letter she carried. No sweat.
Jun 27, 2005, 6:16 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 139
travel with one parent--medical treatment form
Hi--
I'm travelling alone Germany to US with my daughter. If-- God forbid-- she should need medical treatment, would I need some kind of consent form from my husband? Does anyone know where I can find an example of this form? I have a vague memory of seeing something like that here last year, but I can't find it.
Thanks!
Kaye
I'm travelling alone Germany to US with my daughter. If-- God forbid-- she should need medical treatment, would I need some kind of consent form from my husband? Does anyone know where I can find an example of this form? I have a vague memory of seeing something like that here last year, but I can't find it.
Thanks!
Kaye
Mar 4, 2006, 3:25 am
#26
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 65
twins and only one parent on planes?
Hi there
I am expecting twins in a couple of months, and anticipate that there will be times over the next couple of years where i will need to fly transatlantic with them on my own, without my husband. What is the situation on this - do airlines allow one adult to accompany 2 infants (particularly in the times before they have their own seats?).
We have also already booked our first trip as a fmaily for when they will be 2 months old - just London to Rome, but i am wondering if anyone has any tips here for me. We will be travelling with 2 car seats since we need them for our hire car at the other end, but i guess at this age i will check those in and keep them either on laps or in bassinets? I assume a double buggy is never going to make it on-board since they are so much bigger than single buggies (although we will be travelling BA Club Europe). hence, should we just check that in too and carry them in slings? Any tips appreciated since i really haven't got my head around how this will all work yet!
Many thanks!
I am expecting twins in a couple of months, and anticipate that there will be times over the next couple of years where i will need to fly transatlantic with them on my own, without my husband. What is the situation on this - do airlines allow one adult to accompany 2 infants (particularly in the times before they have their own seats?).
We have also already booked our first trip as a fmaily for when they will be 2 months old - just London to Rome, but i am wondering if anyone has any tips here for me. We will be travelling with 2 car seats since we need them for our hire car at the other end, but i guess at this age i will check those in and keep them either on laps or in bassinets? I assume a double buggy is never going to make it on-board since they are so much bigger than single buggies (although we will be travelling BA Club Europe). hence, should we just check that in too and carry them in slings? Any tips appreciated since i really haven't got my head around how this will all work yet!
Many thanks!
Mar 4, 2006, 11:37 am
#27
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
As far as I know, the limit (at least on airlines with which I'm familiar) is one lap child per adult. And IMO, even one is one too many.
Off-peak transatlantic tickets aren't very expensive, and I guarantee you that you won't really want to hold an infant for 6, 8 or 10 hours on a single flight.
My twin daughters are now 8 and we bought seats (or redeemed frequent flyer miles for seats) for them on every trip prior to their second birthday. Transcons here in the USA and trips to Europe. If you can't afford to buy seats for them in the first two years, you'll never be able to afford to buy seats for them in all those years after their second birthday. (Just 'cause the airlines will let you fly infants without a seat doesn't mean you're not allowed to buy them a seat).
The buggy can usually be gate-checked (and sent down the dumb-waiter at the gate or taken down the jetway stairs) and checked into the cargo hold - often, airlines will then retrieve it for you upon arrival - so you can use it to roll immediately rather than have to schlep to baggage claim to get it.
If you don't buy airplane seats, then you'll have to check the car seats - unless you expect empty seats around you and BA will let you use the empty seats for your infants.
Off-peak transatlantic tickets aren't very expensive, and I guarantee you that you won't really want to hold an infant for 6, 8 or 10 hours on a single flight.
My twin daughters are now 8 and we bought seats (or redeemed frequent flyer miles for seats) for them on every trip prior to their second birthday. Transcons here in the USA and trips to Europe. If you can't afford to buy seats for them in the first two years, you'll never be able to afford to buy seats for them in all those years after their second birthday. (Just 'cause the airlines will let you fly infants without a seat doesn't mean you're not allowed to buy them a seat).
The buggy can usually be gate-checked (and sent down the dumb-waiter at the gate or taken down the jetway stairs) and checked into the cargo hold - often, airlines will then retrieve it for you upon arrival - so you can use it to roll immediately rather than have to schlep to baggage claim to get it.
If you don't buy airplane seats, then you'll have to check the car seats - unless you expect empty seats around you and BA will let you use the empty seats for your infants.
Mar 4, 2006, 11:39 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Mechanicsburg, PA, USA
Programs: skymiles,
Posts: 304
Congratulations on your pending arrivals. It must be a very exciting time.
As for some of your questions, here goes...
Most airlines require one parent for one lap child. Therefore you would not be able to travel with both infants in your lap only. So the best solution is to ticket at least one.
As for a double buggy - you should be able to gate check that. I recommend gate checking your carseats as well. You never know what might happen and you might just need those seats sooner than you think. For example, recently we missed a connecting flight and were to be rerouted to city 90 miles away. Because we did have our carseats with us, we could easily have rented a car and drove to our ultimate destination. Ultimately, we made it home later than expected on the original ariline, but it was nice to have choices.
I assume you are in the UK and I don't know what organizations are availble to you, but here is a link to a US based site that has tons of twin info.
http://www.nomotc.org/
I am sure that the parents on that or another twin site would be able to handle the logistics of traveling with multiples at a young age.
Best of luck on your final months!
As for some of your questions, here goes...
Most airlines require one parent for one lap child. Therefore you would not be able to travel with both infants in your lap only. So the best solution is to ticket at least one.
As for a double buggy - you should be able to gate check that. I recommend gate checking your carseats as well. You never know what might happen and you might just need those seats sooner than you think. For example, recently we missed a connecting flight and were to be rerouted to city 90 miles away. Because we did have our carseats with us, we could easily have rented a car and drove to our ultimate destination. Ultimately, we made it home later than expected on the original ariline, but it was nice to have choices.
I assume you are in the UK and I don't know what organizations are availble to you, but here is a link to a US based site that has tons of twin info.
http://www.nomotc.org/
I am sure that the parents on that or another twin site would be able to handle the logistics of traveling with multiples at a young age.
Best of luck on your final months!
Mar 6, 2006, 9:30 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: HH Diamond, Delta Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 242
Congratulations. Assuming you can afford 2 seats for them, get them. A transcontinental flight is a long time to deal with one infant, it would be nearly impossible with two in your arms.
And I do think most airlines require one adult per infant for lap children, but I'm not sure if there is any rule if they both have seats. The stroller will most definitely be checked - we put ours in a stroller bag to try and save a little wear and tear.
And I do think most airlines require one adult per infant for lap children, but I'm not sure if there is any rule if they both have seats. The stroller will most definitely be checked - we put ours in a stroller bag to try and save a little wear and tear.
Mar 6, 2006, 11:29 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,245
Congratulations!
From the BA website....
Note - in theory, BA won't let an infant under 6 months use a car seat at all.
Also, if the infants are sitting on your laps, you might not be able to all sit in the same block of seats as there will have to be enough oxygen masks above to use in the unlikely event of a problem (the A/C side of CE may well have 4 masks - not sure, but reservations will know).
From the BA website....
Can one adult travel with two infants?
Two infants travelling with one accompanying adult will be accepted for travel only if the second infant is:
Aged between 6 and 24 months, seated in an approved car-type seat (with a 5-point harness) and has paid the applicable child fare.
If the second infant is under 6 months they must travel with an second accompanying adult or British Airways escort.
Please note that an escort charge will apply if an escort was required.
For further details on the British Airways escort service please contact British Airways.
To access your local British Airways number please click here .
Two infants travelling with one accompanying adult will be accepted for travel only if the second infant is:
Aged between 6 and 24 months, seated in an approved car-type seat (with a 5-point harness) and has paid the applicable child fare.
If the second infant is under 6 months they must travel with an second accompanying adult or British Airways escort.
Please note that an escort charge will apply if an escort was required.
For further details on the British Airways escort service please contact British Airways.
To access your local British Airways number please click here .
Also, if the infants are sitting on your laps, you might not be able to all sit in the same block of seats as there will have to be enough oxygen masks above to use in the unlikely event of a problem (the A/C side of CE may well have 4 masks - not sure, but reservations will know).