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-   -   Teen travel w/Grandpa. Any probs w TSA? (https://www.fodors.com/community/air-travel/teen-travel-w-grandpa-any-probs-w-tsa-952825/)

Liz5959 Oct 6th, 2012 11:09 AM

Teen travel w/Grandpa. Any probs w TSA?
 
My almost 85 yo father is taking my almost 15 yo nephew to Chicago tomorrow, leaving from LGA ( on UAL). Is TSA likely to have any problems with that? Don't want my father to be accused of kidnapping his grandson!

J62 Oct 6th, 2012 01:50 PM

15 yr olds are old enough to fly unescorted.

I don't think TSA agents care about relationships between one passenger and the next.

RoamsAround Oct 6th, 2012 07:23 PM

J62 is right - the TSA doesn't give a hoot about the relationship (or lack there of) between passengers all they care about is if a passenger has a boarding pass and is not carrying any prohibited items. Now, if your father and his grandson are checking in and getting their boarding passes at the airport one or both may be questioned by the ticket agent about the relationship of the minor child (especially if the child as a different surname than the grandfather). It's rare but it can happen. Best to check directly with the airline - they may require a letter of authorization from the child's parent or legal guardian.

If they use the airline's website to check-in and get their boarding passes on line I doubt anyone would even take notice.

ELiz_Travels Oct 7th, 2012 06:42 AM

I think it is only an issue if they are going out of the country.

suze Oct 8th, 2012 10:06 AM

"TSA" doesn't control things like this anyways.

If anyone cared it would be the airline in boarding them or immigration (in and out of the country).

tenthumbs Oct 11th, 2012 09:09 AM

If it's a domestic flight, there are no problems. If your father is taking your son out of the country, he is supposed to have a notarized letter from both parents giving him permission to take the minor child out of the US. I've always had one for my minor child, but I've only been asked twice for it. My parents have taken my daughter on several trips within the US, and it has never been an issue.

doug_stallings Oct 11th, 2012 09:31 AM

No ... no problems at all.


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