What do you need to know when your kids are flying alone, especially out of state? Here are a number of important guidelines.
Airlines Procedures and Rules Vary
Every airline is different, so you need to know the specific rules for the airline your child is travelling on. Most airlines have a minimum age of 5 for children travelling alone. This applies even if they are flying with an older, unaccompanied minor. Most of the time, younger children aged 5 to 7 (though airlines vary) are not allowed to change planes. They are required in many cases to take nonstop flights. While most airlines note they will check on the child in the course of normal flight attendant duties, none of them can monitor children continuously.
Fees
The fees for each airline vary in amount as well, but they are typically between $50 and $150 dollars.
Identification
Your child will need some form of valid identification and so will the sending and receiving parties. Smaller children may use birth certificates, but older teenagers would be wise to carry the typical government photo ID. Some form of government photo ID will be required for the parties taking the children on the plane and those receiving them at the end of the flight.
Safety Tips
There are a number of things parents can do to help ensure your child’s safety during the trip and pickup procedure.
- The child should be escorted personally onto the airplane and to their seats. If you can’t escort your child all the way to their seat, an airline representative should do so.
- Inform children of the various types of delays and problems that might occur. Sometimes alternate arrival information will need to be communicated to those picking the child up.
- Older children may be allowed to change to connecting flights. They should be aware that airline representatives will escort them, and wait for them.
- Parents should consider the possibility that flights will be delayed overnight and know the particular airline’s policies in that case. The airline may have a representative who will stay with the child, or the policy may be to turn them over to a local authority of some type. The parent should keep tabs on the progress of the flight and contact the responsible party at the destination if it will be delayed.
- It is best to ensure the child has their own means of communication if they are old enough, like a cell phone or phone card or change. Children should also know to contact the airline attendant if any type of problem arises.
- Optimize seating arrangements, if possible.
- Send any pertinent medical information and important phone numbers with the child.
Contact Salt Lake City, Utah Divorce Attorney David Pedrazas for a Legal Case Review
The ease and convenience of modern-day travel allows children to fly to visit relatives or divorced parents. This should be a fun and memorable experience! But we should also take all possible precautions and care with our children. For any legal questions about divorce, child custody, and family law, contact Attorney David Pedrazas in Salt Lake City, Utah. David Pedrazas has over 20 years of experience protecting the rights of families all over Utah. Give the Law Office of David Pedrazas a call today at 801-263-7078 to schedule a Legal Case Review.
