Unaccompanied minor
 

My 12 year old son has the opportunity to visit a friend in another state. I'm told that I can get a pass to walk him to the gate to see him get on the plane. And the person picking him up can also have a pass to wait at gate when he gets off. Anyone have any experience with this? Wasn't as much info before we make a decision. Thanks!

When you get to the airport simply go to the airline's check-in counter with your son. While you are checking him in ask the Ticket agent for the pass and he/she will issue it to you. Then, proceed to the Security checkpoint and on to the gate.

On the other end the person meeting your son does essentially the same thing - they go to the airline's ticket counter and asks the ticket agent for a pass that will get them trough the Security checkpoint.

Doesn't the person meeting the son need some sort of proof that they are picking up the UM?

At check-in the child's parent/custodian will complete a form which includes the name/address of the "adult" person who will be meeting the child at the other end. That person will have to show proper ID to the ticket agent to receive their "pass" at the arrival airport.

All this is usually very well explained on the airline's website - usually in the "Traveler Information" section dealing with "Flying with Children".

FYI - Airlines usually charge an extra fee for this service and you usually cannot book the minor child's ticket "on-line".

Just to put your mind at ease - this is not a difficult procedure. Airlines do this all the time and while the specific steps can vary from airline to airline the steps are essentially the same no matter what airline you fly.

Do allow some extra time at the departure airport for the ticket agent to fill out the necessary forms, etc. - most airlines recommend arriving 2 hours prior to departure for domestic flights and 3 hours prior to international flights.