Tips for teens flying alone?

Question

My 16-year-old son wants to visit his friend in Las Vegas, for a week, around Dec. 26 (no, I'm not bugging about xmas!)...My question is; this is the FIRST time he's traveled by plane that far, alone and he's not "street" smart or very confident. I've visited the airline websites on safety, but the cut-off for supervision seems to be 15.

What can I do/say/find out, etc., to make his trip as safe as possible? I want to give him more freedom and he really deserves this trip, yet I'm so worried! HELP!

P.S.: He'll be flying from Mass., with a change in Wash. D.C. I know this is a HUGELY busy time of year. I worry about all kinds of things, like his getting lost, or delays. Should we pay for the "UM" (underage minor) guidance, or is that a waste of $? What do they do to help?

Yes, I know it sounds nuts, but he's going to be picked up by his friend's parents, who have a vacation house in N. Vegas. They'll meet him there, and they usually don't do too much (sightseeing, etc.) He won't be walking "The Strip" alone, if at all!

I'm MUCH more worried about the trip than his safety once he gets to their house!

Thanks to everyone for some great info AND reassurance! "deep_purple86" had some good advice about overprotecting teens (too late! I wish I'd read this before!).

NOW the trouble we're running into is that many companies won't allow kids under 18 to fly unaccompanied, or not past a certain time, and other restrictions! It's also VERY hard to find a direct flight that isn't out of our price range.

So far, the Triple-A membership site has helped the most.

My kid should be able to amuse himself (he's got an i-Pod, DS, GBA and his writing pad (he writes lyrics for his band). I just hope he doesn't space out, like he did his first day on the schoolbus! That day, he was so busy chatting, he didn't get off the bus and ended up back at school! lol <:O

Answer 1

O.K., we have trained all htree of our kids to travel as an unaccompained minor. All have been safe and succesful doing so on multiple occassions.

1) It is all about the training. Bring the kid to the airport nearest to you. Make him prove, multiple times , that he can deciper the screens and identify a gate. Most kids fail this test by misunderstanding departure from arrival screens...so this is important. To pass this part of the training, you randomly pick out a departure flight and city. ASsk the kid to identify gate and time of departure. He needs to get good at this. You can not help him after showing him how, he must be self reliant.

2) The kid should travel with cell phone and pocket money. If there is a problem...he calls and explains to you...you help. He needs to be able to get food in a pinch.

3) He needs to be able to identify people who can help him and show he can approach a airline worker or TSA or Cop and ask a question and get an answer. He needs to know who to count on.

4) He must have specific rules...stay at gate of departure...sit...wait..pay attemtion. When transfering in D.C. he needs to find gate...go to gate..leave a message he is at gate and ready to go.

This is really well within his capabilities. Just get him trained and on your rule book...no exceptions to procedures and rules. Problem...seek out a TSA agent, Airline employee or cop and get it fixed. Be confident...know what to do kid...get to your transfer gate and call...all will be well.

Again..we have done this with all three kids , multiple times with great success.

Answer 2

I would try and see if you can get a direct flight. Layovers are easy if you travel frequently, but for an inexperienced teen with low confidence I think it will be stressful on you both.

If he is laying over at Regan National, it will be easy because it's a small national airport. Dulles and BWI are both huge. I would pull up a layout of the airport in question so he can perhaps familiarize himself with it. Check out the website for the airport too. Discuss the procedure for changing planes.

Just assure your son (and yourself) that he will be fine. If he can get to his classes in high school on time, he will be OK with going from gate to gate. Domestic layovers don't require you to pick-up and re-recheck luggage, so his only concern is himself.

As far as safety goes, make sure he has a cell phone. If he doesn't have one, get a pre-paid. If there is a delay he should be alright. It just means he will have time to browse the airport and maybe have some dinner. If there is a cancellation, then he can call you, and you can work out the details with the airline from home. Also, maybe give him a credit card for worst-case scenario. If he doesn't have one, then you can get a pre-paid as well.

I think you both will be fine. Your son will have fun and you both will grow a little!

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry. Yes, you could make him an unnacompanied minor, but he'll be embarrased by it and it will cost you more money. It is very easy, the signs are obvious and there are people to help if he gets confused. Keep his carry on bag to a minimum so he doesn't have to lug or watch much. If you can get him a non-stop flight, do it. Make sure he has a cell phone with him and calls you to check in. I remember the first time I flew alone (I was 20, but still first time alone) I remember thinking, "This is it, its so easy" and I think I was going through Chicago that time. Now I work for an airline and I realize how many people have no idea what they are doing at an airport, he will not be alone in that.

Answer 4

My son flew to Cairo and back by himself. There really is no problem. When you drop him off, you will drop him off at the airline gate, so one problem underway.

When he has his layover all he has to do is read the screen to see where his next plane will be located at and when it will fly. He should be at the gate at least 1 hour before the plane is to leave, so they can board.

He does not have to worry about luggage, they will transfer it to his final destination. Then he will follow the crowd (and signs) to get his luggage in Las Vegas, and follow more signs out. His freinds parents should meet him at a designated spot, and let them know what clothes he will be wearing.

Make sure he has some money so he can get something to eat, and bring an iPod for entertainment.

All airports have information desks that he can go to. Really he will be fine, it is scary at first. BUt it is one of those things that we all have to do.

I wish him all the best!!!

Answer 5

The first time I was ever on a plane, I was 10 and was with my 14 year old sister. (her first time too) We flew from St. Louis to Panama, the country. 12 hours. With a 3 hour layover in Houston. When my mom set up the flight, she called the airline and set up a guide to get us from one plane to the other and set us up in a "play room" in houston. Airlines are VERY good about watching kids that are alone. Since then I flew from St. Louis to Panama City, Florida 4 times back and forth and I was 14. I went by myself all those times. So, he should be fine.

Answer 6

Make sure he always has his stuff with him so it doesn't get stolen. Make sure he has enough cash on him, and doesn't ever show anyone his wad of cash. Las vegas is pretty tame, so it should be fine. Just tell him to call you at least once per day.
As for flying, an airport is probably the safest place you could be, with all their security stuff, so there really should be nothing he has to worry about, except getting there on time :)

Answer 7

You shouldn't be worrying about the trip, you should be worrying about what they are going too be doing in Las Vegas! At 18 I was in Vietnam killing people, and I fond my way, at 16 I am sure he can find Las Vegas.....give him some credit and a cell phone to check in with.

Answer 8

If you are comfortable with WHO he is going to visit ... then by all means, let him go. Flying is safe, and you can pay the fee for him to be escorted up until he is 18 (15 is just the MINIMUM age for unescorted travel).

Do yourself a favor, and find a NONSTOP however. I think Delta and USAirways both have nonstops from Boston to Las Vegas. I would guess that jetBlue does also.

Answer 9

make sure someone is there to pick him up at the gate other then that its not that bad, if you take him as far as the check point, he should be fine.when I travel I'm all ways with my 14 year old son and he usually leads the way. Its hard to let them go, but our job is to teach them independents. so one day they must leave our nest. good luck. pay the extra money get him a direct flight.

Answer 10

My 13 year old will be traveling alone this next summer for the first time and I've already done some research, this site http://www.airsafe.com/kidsafe/kidrules.htm was very informative and helpful.