Flying alone with my brother?

Question

Ok. I'm 14, and for Christmas, me and my 13 year old brother are flying from our home in Missouri to South Carolina to visit our Grandpa.
Is it scary to fly alone? DO you have to sit with someone else that you don't know? How do you know what seat to get in? Help!
Thanks! (I've never flown before) :)

Answer 1

Are you connecting or is it a non-stop flight? Ask your parents.

Please ask your parents to make you both "unaccompanied minors". There is an extra fee and as a Flight Attendant, I had passengers as old as 16 flying as "UM's". There will probably be others like yourselves but I will warn you that most will be flying because their parents are divorced and they might not be happy about it. If you see that they're not thrilled to be flying, they're not scared. They may not want to do this trip but you're flying to see your grandfather so I hope you're looking forward to it.

The advantage of being a UM is that the ground agents will escort you to the gate. This means that you wont have to look for where you're going and you only have to follow them. Once on the aircraft, the Flight Attendants will know that you're flying without an adult and will keep an eye out for you.

Once the plane lands, you'll be given instructions but usually you have to wait till the other passengers get off and then they will hand you over to a ground agent in South Carolina, who will then help you collect your luggage and bring you directly to your grandfather. Again, you wont have to look for your bags yourselves. Put bright ribbons or anything distinctive on yours' so you can see them from a distance. It will also help the ground agent to pick them out too.

If you do have a connecting flight, there will be an agent to help you in the connecting city. You wont have to do anything with your bags and they'll take you directly over to your next flight.

Don't think it's treating you as a baby. Airports can look a little crazy and will all the security points, your parents can't take you to the gate themselves, like they did with me when I was little and flew alone. You will simply be following someone in a uniform around. I helped many UM's in my job and some didn't speak any English, or really, anything else I speak. Think how much easier it will be for you two!

Flying is very safe. I flew for a living as a Flight Attendant for 13 years and never had anything scary happen. We had a few "mechanicals" like when something needed to be fixed but nothing that frightened me or the passengers (or other crew members, it must be said). Statistically, flying is safer than driving so there's less chance of anything happening in a plane than every time you get in a car.

Please cooperate with all the airline staff and follow their instructions. Trust me, UM's are taken very seriously by the airlines and these employees will get in big trouble if they lose you! Sometimes the children with divorced parents don't listen and try to "escape" because they don't want to do this trip but don't pay attention to them. If the ground staff seem strict with you, that's why. Don't take it personally.

Have a good visit with your grandpa and see it as an adventure (and don't watch too many scary movies with planes crashing before you go!)

Answer 2

You are not going to fly alone. There will be many other passengers. Flying is fun not scary. Yes you may have to sit with some one you don't know. Flight attendents will help you to get in to your seat and will make you comfortable. You both are minor have you taken permission of your parents?

wish u a very happy journey

Answer 3

No, flying alone isn't scary, because there are lots of airline workers who can help you. You might have to sit next to someone you don't know depending on where your ticket is, but there are nice flight attendants who can help you find your seat and answer all of your questions during the flight if you have them. I think it's great that you're going to visit your grandpa.

Answer 4

Like 'Eclipsepearl' just told if yr parent ok. with the extra charge, but if u finally not 'UM' and still bit scare just tell the flight attendant (look 4 a nice smiley person) tell him/her u only travel 2gether with yr bro so they will take a bit special 4 u. 'N if he/she if that nice he/she might keep the eyes on u all along until u out from the custom to arrival hall.
Do hope u will meet very nice flight attendant.

Answer 5

aww your so cute, if u are flying standby its very possible u sit next to some1 you dont know, if u have your own tickets you will most likely sit next to eachother and it is not scary at all! i have flown alone once this year and im 15 and i was fine =] airplanes are very safe, and your ticket will say ur seat which is very easy to locate and people will be very nice and help you! hope i helped hun

Answer 6

its really not that scary.
when i went, i flew southwest airlines...incase that has anything to do with it

they usually put you right at the front, or they try to put you with kids or someone ur age. right as you get on the plane tell the stewardess that you two are flying alone and she will find a seat for you (unless you use a airline that has assigned steating) and then shell check on you and stuff.

i think its pretty fun!
good luck

Answer 7

The airlines have this thing they call unaccompanied minor. and if your bellow 15 years old i suggest you call the airline so that they can put your name and your brother's to the unaccompanied minor list; hence, they would not allow you to board the plane.. flight attendants put you to a specific seat since you're a minor.