Is it true that if you're underage on an airplane you have to hire a stewardess to look after you?

Question

I mean, do you have to hire osmeone (like pay them) to escort you? I'm talking two 14 year olds here.

Answer 1

For children 14 and under on most airlines...12 and under on some it is mandatory to pay the Unaccompanied Minor fee. You are not hiring a flight attendant, you are paying for the escort service which is a cooperation between gate agents and flight crew to ensure the safety and security of the children during the flight and during transit and upon arrival.

You can not book the last flights out of the origin city or connection point. This is just incase there is a delay or cancellation. If you make the reservation with a travel website, you need to call the airline and let them know the children are unaccompanied minors (UM) and their ages. You can do this at the ticket counter as well at check in. You will provide the information for the person dropping them off and picking them up at destination. These are the only people who can pick the children up and sign for them. You will provide names, addresses and phone numbers of both persons. You will give the agent your ID and the ID type and # are entered into the system and a security pass is printed.

The kids will be given red and white striped buttons or stickers to place on their outermost garment and it must remain visible at all times. The person dropping them off will then sign a form stating they have made arrangements with the other person listed to pick the children up. A card or piece of paper is attached to the envelope with the contact info provided as well as the childrens names and ages and flight info and seat numbers. The boarding passes and baggage checks are placed inside the envelope and then is given the person taking them to the gate.

Once at the gate you will check in with the gate agent and give them the envelope. Flights board 30 min before departure and minors are taken down about 5-10 minutes before that. You say your good byes in the gate and the agent escorts the kids down to the plane and introduces them to the flight attendant and gives them the paperwork. The children are walked to their seats and reminded to remain seated until the flight arrives at the destination or connection point, unless they need to use the lavatory or get something out of the overhead. Upon arrival they will be the last off of the plane, so they need to stay in their seats until the FA comes to get them. The person dropping them off will remain in the gate until the flight is off of the ground or the gate agent says its ok to go.

The FA gives the agent meeting the flight the paperwork and if this is the destination the children are walked up to the gate and asked to identify the person picking them up. That person will then provide their ID and be verified they are the person listed to pick the kids up. They sign for them and are given their boarding passes and baggage claim checks and are free to go. It is very important the person responsible for picking the kids up checks in at the ticket counter well in advanced and gets to the gate before the flight arrives.

If they are connecting the agent will escort the kids to their next gate and hand the paperwork to the agent working the next flight. If the connection is more than an hour they are usually taken to a room where there are tv's and video games if the airline has them in that city. Make sure they have money incase they would like to get something to eat. Food is not provided by the airline. And the process repeats itself.

The fee for UM's is $50 each way for most airlines. It does vary by airline. Southwest does not accept UM's. **Check the airlines website to see how much the fee is if there is one** You can pay for both ways, but make sure the kids hang on to the receipt just incase there is questions at check in when they return. You need to arrive at the airport well ahead of time. Cut offs for most large airports have a 45 minute cut off. It is best to arrive 1 1/2 hrs or more before departure. Summer is high UM travel season, the closer to school time there will be a lot of kids travelling alone. Some larger airports have a special check in line just for UM's.

Also be aware they are allowed to check 2 bags at 50lb each and/or carry on 2 items under 22" in length and under 40 lb.

This covers everything you need to know about kids travelling alone. Hope this helps

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

You don't "hire" a flight attendant - it is part of the service of the airline. You do have to give additional information about who will be picking the minor up on the destination end and they will have to present identification when receiving the child. There are forms that must be filled out, so if you do this allow extra time. There is no additional fee involved other than the price of a ticket.

Answer 4

No, but if You are under the age of 12 a flight attendant will keep an eye on you in case you need assistance.

Answer 5

NO, the airlines does it you will be escorted by an airline attendant. On and off the plane they they will watch you on the plane. they aren't paid extra you don't pay them it's their job.

Answer 6

well my brother traveled by plane when he was 6, and the stewardess just said "everything okay?" whenever she walked by. he didnt need 1 to sit with him if thats what u mean.

Answer 7

ive know kids that went ona plain and they didnt they just checked up on the children like gave them colouring books and stuff
(that they had to pay for though)

Answer 8

no never had to pay they just do for the kids but every airline is different

Answer 9

yes or an escourt that is bonded

Answer 10

nope it's only if your parents think you need one