Would You Let Your Just Turned 11 Year on a Plane Alone?

H... No! What would I think if I put my child on an airplane with a terrorist? I could never depend on someone else to comfort my child in a situation like that! It,s NOT a small world. With all the weather problems and earthquakes. The flight could be redirected. There,s so many pedifiles out there. What are you people thinking?

My sis and I used to fly from ca to az to visit grandparents every summer, we started when I was 10 and she was 6. Never any problems. Just teach him what to do if for some reason the person he's looking for to pick him up isnt there. That would be my only concern.

Absolutely. My son used to fly alone when he was 5. I can't remember if you pay extra, but you get a flight attendant to assist them.

Maybe. It depends upon the child. His maturity, his self-control, his ability to entertain himself on the plane without being annoyed to others around him, and HIS Comfort level with the whole thing.

Definitely- I flew by myself starting at age 10... to-and-from camp and to visit grandparents. If he's mature enough to read a book, read a magazine, play his DS or watch the in-flight then it's really not a big deal.

Because of his age, you will be allowed to go to the gate with him where the gate agent or flight attendant will literally walk him to his seat. Once the plane takes-off he can't wander off and there's very little "trouble" he can get into. Again, because of his age the camp rep will meet him at the gate.

I would just ask the camp rep to let him call you when he lands.

I did! I hated it. But I did it. Her dad moved 6 hours away from us. I had to let he fly to see him a couple times per year. It's great with Southwest. They didn't charge extra at all. She was an "unaccomanied minor" and they took great care of her. I would check her in and hand her off to a flight attendant who would seat her 1st, right next to the flight attendants station. There were almost always 2 or 3 other kids flying unnaccompanied. They set them all together with color books and a little goodie bag, right by the attendant station, so, noone had to sit with them but they were well watched at all times. Then at the other end they hand the kids off to the appointed grownup. There was a lot of security. You had to have your drivers licence to check them in and out and I felt very comfortable with the whole experience.

When I was 10, I flew from Pennsylvania to California by myself to visit relatives. I remember the flight attendants helping me out - I even had to change planes and they walked me through the airport to where I needed to be. I was never left alone. It obviously went ok from my parents' point of view, because 2 years later they did the same for my brother (who was then 10).

I think it would fine. He would have to go as an unaccompanied minor, which is an extra fee, but most of the time, the flight attendants take very good care of them. Also, you get to take him all the way to the gate, and then you must wait until the plane actually takes off.

If he's not a frequent flyer, just be sure to let him know how things work. Rules regarding seatbelts, electronic devices, drinks, bathrooms, etc. And most importantly, where the flight attendant call button is.

I would also just reiterate to him again and again that if he is uncomfortable or anything unusual is going on to alert a flight attendant. Good luck!

Yep, and I have. Our son flew to his uncle's house when he was just 10 or 11. Most airlines have pretty strict guidelines about minors traveling alone and will make sure the correct person is the one picking him up on the other end.

We even allowed our daughter to travel to the UK between 5th and 6th grade. She was with an educational group, but not with parents.

Of course they are both much older now so it's not an issue anymore.

Wow, I would never do this...in a million years! Too many weirdos out there and airports are a melting pot of people of all creeds. I'm sure it is generally safe, especially with a non-stop flight, but I wouldn't do it.

If your child is comfortable flying, and is a mature 11 year old, then, yes, I would allow it. Of course, this is assuming that he is being picked up by a trusted and dependable adult on the other end. You say it is a "camp person", and I'd want to know who specifically it would be. Not sure I'd be comfortable with a teen camp counselor being responsible for picking him up at the airport. But, again, maturity levels vary, and some older (17 or 18 and up) teens would be more responsible than some 20 somethings. Just important for you to feel comfortable not only with him on the plane but also after landing.

You bet. Mine started flying at the age of 6. She is 22 now. She's a "seasoned" traveler!

It all depends on his maturity level. The airline does charge a chaperone fee for children under 12 so he will have assistance. If he feels comfortable and you believe he is mature enough then go for it.

My mom send my sister then 14 year old come here alone (Mexico-NJ) we did pay extra for somebody in the airline to take care of her.

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/speci...

We (meaning me) were kind of scare but everything was fine, and we got to enjoy her company for the holidays.
My husband travels a lot, every weekend, and he tells me he has seeing kids flying alone.

No lay overs? Yes. lay overs? no.

Every time I fly with lay overs my flights change so much that I wouldn't want a child to deal with that, but no lay overs would be fine with me.

Now a days the stewardess don't actually "watch" kids like Jody described. That hasn't happened for at least 10 years. I couldn't find an airline to take my 5 year old to see my parents because watching minors is no longer "in the budget".

yes, if you do not use Alaska airlines. my mom paid extra to have a person from alaska airlines take me from the first plane to the next one. Instead, they found a passanger that was flying on the same flight as me and asked him to take me to the next plane. The lay over was 3 hours because the other plane was late. They hade me follow this guy around for 3 hrs. I was only 13 at the time and this guy could have been a molster.

I would if the 11 year old was responsible. Usually, it's fairly safe. You can go right to the gate to put him on the plane (of course, you will have to go through security and everything...) and if the camp person will meet him there... I have heard of people doing this with children much younger than 11.

Yes, Its the law that you have to pay extra for a stewertest to a company him back and forth. Its like 100 dollars extra. My kids have been flying back and forth from and to Alaska and Oregon, Never had a problem. When they turn 14-15 they are not required to have a stewertest..

I have sent my 10 year old on a plane to visit his cousin/aunt/uncle. We didn't pay anything extra. At that age I think he would be responsible enough. You can accompany him to the gate (have to get permission) and if someone picks him up its pretty easy.

Has he ever been on a plane before?

Yes-they will watch him like a hawk-especially safe because it is non-stop.

Absolutely! You can pay an additional amount and the airline will make sure he is alright and gets to his destination.
My daughter and son flew from GA to LV several times for summer vacations and they didn't fly together. Don't worry mom he will be ok. Just call the airline and they will give you details.
Good luck!

Yes. My son was 8 when he first flew alone. But he was smart, capable, and not worried about it. He was able to ask questions, and we role-played beforehand about certain safety situations. We practiced things like taking out his ticket and/or ID and putting them away safely before proceeding, and practiced having to ask for help, etc. It all went well.

My daughter is an older teen and there is no way I would let her fly alone. She would panic. I am 100% sure they would have to turn the plane around.

So age is less of a consideration than maturity level, confidence, and capability.

I think if I felt they were responsible enough, I would.

absolutely! my son started flying at the age of 5 from California to GA every summer, the stewardesses were informed and watched over him, even IF he had a lay over the stewardesses would personally walk him into a "special" play area that is just for kids flying on there own and watch him till the next flight, walk him onto the plane and give info to the other stewardesses on that flight. That only happened 2x and yeah was nerve racking for me, but all was fine he is 32 now...I wouldn't worry, especially if it is non stop, hust make sure ALL of the (help) (workers) on the plane know that he is flying alone. Am sure he will have a blast, he will get to watch a movie (make sure to give him 5$ for headphones) and will get lots of attention from the stewards etc...

Yes. My step-daughter has been flying back and forth from CA to WA for years now.

Yes. They are super attentive to 'unaccompanied minors' and shadow them like hawks. Plus it is non-stop so where could he go? As far as trusting the camp person, well you have already decided to entrust your child's care to the camp personnel for the duration of the program, so I don't see an issue. For the person concerned about terrorists - how would having DS's mommy on the plane deter a terrorist? Also, you are way more likely to die in a car crash driving to Wisconsin, than be killed by terrorists, or in a plane crash, or both.

My kids drove from California to Utah with my parents last year (ages 5 and 7) and then flew back as "unaccompanied minors." There is an extra charge for this ($100 for us) because the airline will allow you to go all the way to the gate with your child, and then you hand your child off to a flight attendant who is assigned to "babysit" your child. You have to fill out all kinds of paperwork with the airline, including who specifically is allowed to pick up your child. They will check the ID of the person picking your child up, and they will only release your child to a person carrying ID showing themselves to be the person you've specified. That person will wait at the gate to pick up your child. So, your child is never without a responsible adult and never out of anyone's sight.

Even with my kids being so young, they did great! The flight attendant was super nice to them and gave them cookies, they got to sit in first class where everyone apparently doted on them, and then I met them at the gate when they touched down. Don't get me wrong, I fretted the entire time they were in the air, but everything went fine!

I would imagine that as long as your son can fly as an unaccompanied minor, he will be fine going to camp. He will never actually be "alone."

I just had this conversation with some friends yesterday! One of my friends was a flight attendant and her husband is currently a pilot for a major airline. She told me very young kids always flew alone. She said it really is safe She said the worst for the flight attendants was misbehaved kids. So, if you know your son is well behaved, then he will be fine. Although, I'm still not sure if I would put my girls on a plane just yet. I am a VERY nervous flyer - that's why!

I like Victoria's perspective. The other thing I would add is how well do you know the person picking him up? Would you let just anyone pick him up and drive him where he needs to go? Will it be an adult that you trust? A teenager? Personally, for me, I wouldn't do it. I know that my standards are a bit different from most people, so take that into consideration. :) My children are just too precious to me to trust them with a random stranger. Now, if I knew the person and trusted them, if my child were going somewhere I thought they should go (we don't do camp either <smile>), then I *might* consider letting them fly.

My step daughter has been flying by herself for years. She started around 9 or 10 years old. She lives in Georgia but visits me, her dad, and brother here in Texas. Minors are first on the plane with a stuartist. Parents can walk them to the gate. The stuartist will also walk them off the plane. It is very safe. My step daughter now 16 years old is a pro at flying and airports. Hopes this helps!

Yes definitely so long as he is comfortable with it. I travelled by myself from age 8 on with my 4 year old brother. We changed planes all the time and everything. We thought we were so cool and really, we were! As long as he is the type that follows rules, has a good head on his shoulders, knows to just stop if he isn't sure, he will be fine and grow from it. I do recommend giving him $20 in small bills in case he needs something and going through some practice / talks beforehand to explain what will happen unless he has flown a lot and already knows the drill. This will be an adventure he will remember forever and so good for his confidence. Good luck!

MamaMay is a bit outdated. We pay $200 a round trip for my stepdaughter to come visit. If she had a layover in a bigger airport like Chicago, they would take her to a play area (I saw it myself last year) where there is an attendant to watch the kids.

I think he will be fine and excited for the trip!

Are there any closer camps in Texas? Seems like a lot of money to put him in a situation where you are not there in case of disaster. A lot of people allow their kids to do all kinds of things at age 11 but I always wonder what would happen in the case of an extreme emergency. Have you ever been on a flight where you drop 5,000 feet all of a sudden? I know it doesn't happen all the time. I guess it's all about what you are comfortable doing and have peace about.

I have a niece and nephew who, due to reasons of divorce, began flying on their own at the age of six or seven.
The airlines have rules about unaccompanied minors and they are great about making sure the kids are released to an authorized person at the end of the flight. And they get lots of extra attention from the flight attendants.
If your son feels comfortable with it then yes, let him go! If he doesn't have a cell phone maybe you can get him an inexpensive one so YOU will feel more comfortable being able to reach him :)

For sure, my daughter has been flying as an "unaccompanied minor" since she was 5, she's now 14. If there's a layover, there's a place they take her. We've never had a problem, she flys 3-4 times a year to see her father.

I think it depends on the child at 11 years of age. You know your son. Does your son need your guidance a lot, can he handle situations alone, is he assertive? Does your son have or use a cell phone with text? You can keep in constant communication with him that way. I would think that it shouldn't be a problem since you will be there to make sure he is on the plane and you know he is picked up at the gate from a camp person (which you should know who it is so your son knows the person's name). During the flight, I don't see that there would be a problem. I flew recently on a two hour flight with an unaccompanied 8 year old sitting next to me and let me tell you he was the most well behaved young man and he was assertive too. He kept himself busy with books, toys and had a ps2. When he needed something he rang for the flight attendant. He hardly spoke to me and kept to himself. When he arrived at the airport the flight attendant guided him out to the person meeting him. Good luck!

I think you need to talk to your son. If he is a mature 11 and does not have
a problem with it and knows what to do if the camp person was not there
to meet him, I would probably let him go. If he is a very young 11 and worries about things, no I would not let him go. I would take my cues from
him..

My eldest daughter turns 11 in September. And hells to the no would I put her on a plane by herself. Not with the way security is these days and not with knowingly putting her in a position where she's a more likely target for child predators.

So, my answer is "No way."