My neighbor kids -- ages 12 & 13 -- will be flying unaccompanied this summer to visit family. What ID is required for them to check into the flight? Neither has a passport, and obviously no driver's license. Thanks!

Kids under age 18 do not need ID - my dtr has flown alone without ID, although she has it. Seems like a loophole in security, since she is almost 18, appears a little older, and all she has to do is say she is under 18. (Although she does have both a license and passport and travels with both). I guess there isno way to really prove you are under 18.

Thanks for the info. That is indeed a loophole! But good for my neighbor kids I suppose.

gail, next time I fly I'm going to say I'm under 18 although I only appear to be 44. Do ya think they'll believe me??

xrae...Just be aware and prepared to pay the UM fees....by this summer they may be $100 per, each way......No way to get around those fees, either...Sat next to a Grandma who was not happy..The fees were almost more than the fare!

I don't understand - UM fees? Is that if you want an escort or just for the ticket. Never heard of such a thing - my dtr has flown quite a few times alone - we buy a ticket, she flies - the end. No fee.

In airline lingo, UM= Unaccompanied Minor, said "minor" being for the most part under age of 15.Tho some airlines carry it a little bit further to include any traveller under 18.The OP refereed to ages 12 and 13, definitely "underage" as far as the airlines, most of them, are concerned.The airlines charge a fee usually one way of $50-100 per kid.

PM-
Tell them you're under two, and you can sit on someone's lap and fly for free!

Our kids have flown alone several times. The airlines have different requirements, so check your airline to be sure. On Southwest, age 12 and older can go unaccompanied without a fee and on Alaska it is age 13 and up. As far as ID goes, our kids used to take their school ID's. They were never asked for ID flying domestically until several flights within the last few weeks. I was a bit surprised that the TSA agent was asking for their ID, but also glad they had it with them.

Great idea zelphiacat!! Not only could I fly free, but the guy might even pay me to sit on his lap.

mms - the TSA agent may have asked for ID, but it is clear on their website that children are not required to have ID

gail--That's what I thought, but this lady was adament, even with the family in line behind us. Course we didn't stick around that family to see what happened.

Good ole TSA ... making up the rules as they go along.

I'll find out what airline the kids are supposed to be flying on, and then a search about their UM rules.