Stupid question...but I'm having a hard time finding the answer: does a 15 year old flying solo have to show his parent's written permission to travel from US to Switzerland? My daughter recently went on a school trip to Canada, and the trip planners required this document. Also, if he flies through Paris to Geneva, does he go through Customs in Geneva only? Thanks!

The relevant question is: do you have a problem providing written permission? Or are you asking if it needs to be from TWO parents? (I would think that ths answer is no. Many kids don't HAVE two parents).<BR><BR>An equally relevant question is what adult is going to meet the child at the destination?<BR>

I'm referring to a friend of the family. His parents are putting him on a plane, and I am the responsible adult meeting him in Geneva. I was just wondering if we needed to have documentation that his parents approved of this arrangement.

From what I recall arriving in a dozen or more airports in Europe, there are two issues. Assume for a minute that the passport control or customs people have any questions about why is this 15 year old traveling alone. You won't be able to get near where those officials are.<BR><BR>I'd be thinking that at the ticket counter at the originating airport, they'll be looking for some kind of documentation from a parent or guardian before they'll let him board.<BR>

What's wrong with the lad carrying it himself? Surely that's not too much to ask. What's the problem with that? <BR><BR>Why don't you, just to be sure, get his parent(s) to write a letter to that effect and give it to him. Sorted.

JWD,<BR> My daughter (12) flew to Paris by herself in April. I had two options when I purchased her ticket (1) to send her on her own, (2) to pay an extra $30 US each way to have her travel as an unaccompanied minor. I went with option 2. We had to fill out forms indicating who brought her to the airport and who would be picking her up from the airport. We had to show I.D. at both ends -- when I brought her to the airport, when she was met in Paris by my friend, when my friend brought her to the airport in Paris and when she arrived home in the US. An agent from the airline walked her through customs (they were able to go to the front of the line). They might have provided the customs service without the extra $, but I wanted to make sure that someone was helping her.

A few years ago(1996), I flew to Japan and back by myself nad was never asked for any sort of papers signed by my parents. I was 15 at the time. maybe rules have changed since then, but in all my solo trips as a minor I was never asked for any sort of documentation.

The American Consulate in Geneva (or the Embassy in Zurich) would probably know.

<BR>JWD,<BR><BR>Those are not stupid questions.<BR><BR>We've flown our daughter to Europe every year since she was 7 as an unaccompanied minor (see wjh post above for the skinny on UM). She is now 14 and just flew over to Milan via Frankfurt last week. No permissions are required by the airlines or passport control.<BR><BR>In 1999 I was living in Geneva and she flew LAX/CDG/GVA for a visit. The transfer did not require customs clearance in Paris, just Geneva. <BR><BR>In all cases, the airline provides an escort or supervised area for UM passengers at all times while on the ground. The UM wears a special tag or envelope on a ribbon around the neck. Each airline is slightly different. The adult bringing the child cannot go beyond the security check point without a boarding pass. That is where the airline takes custody and is responsible. The adult picking up the UM receives the child after customs and passport control, and must show ID and sign the chain of custody form. We've used Alitalia (until they stopped their direct LAX-MXP flight), KLM, Lufthansa, Air France, United, and American. Usual glitches from each but nothing major. Lufthansa lost her bag in Frankfurt last week but delivered it the next day in Milan.<BR><BR>John Bermont<BR>www.enjoy-europe.com

JWD,<BR><BR>If, as I suspect, the 15 yr-old is flying Air France from Paris to Geneva, he/she will have to clear immigration and customs TWICE, as the Air France service operates as a domestic French rounte - planes dock on the French side of Geneva airport. Immigration/customs in Geneva is a snap though.<BR><BR>However, the transfer at CDG would be quite confusing for someone who doesn't speak French and/or hasn't traveled much. If this is the case, I would recommend using the airline's unaccompanied minors ("UM") program. <BR><BR>Regarding special documents which may be required, I traveled transatlantic (CH to the US and back) alone once when I was about 14 and don't recall taking anything special along, but again I would check with the airline - they will give you correct information, because if your entry documents aren't OK, they get charged a fine by the immigration services...<BR><BR>Hope this helps,<BR>Andre

<BR>Andre,<BR><BR>If bags are checked through from LAX to GVA how could someone clear customs on a transfer in Paris? Why would douane want to peek anyway? <BR><BR>My daughter was led through some locked doors for her transfer to GVA at CDG. Maybe she had a passport check at CDG; I don't know. I do know that she was escorted along with 2 other UMs to the connecting flight, although Air France's man had a minor goof on that assignment. He forgot the key and left the kids standing at a door while he went back for it. A couple of stewardesses came by and asked the kids a question or two -- in French. It was duh? (or is it kuh? in French) until the steward came back.<BR><BR>

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts on this. I have since checked with Air France. Apparently, the connection through Paris only requires a passport check...the more thorough check in Geneva. Air France was not aware of any additional documentation required for a 15 year old. If we were using the Air France unaccompanied minor program this wouldn't be an issue, but we decided not to since his connecting flight was in the same terminal (2F). Sounds like that might be a bad idea based on previous posting. Anyone have different thoughts? Thanks!

JWD,<BR><BR>Just to clarify my previous post: yes, the hold luggage will be checked through to GVA, but the kid will have to clear immigration AND customs (with hand luggage only) in Paris.<BR><BR>Also, you never know which terminal the Air France flights will actually arrive at in Paris CDG - the indications in the timetable are purely random! Intercontinental flights can arrive at terminals 2A, 2C or 2F depending on where that particular aircraft is headed for on its next flight.<BR><BR>Again, if the 15 year-old has dealt with flight changes in large foreign airports before, then it shouldn't be a problem for him/her going it alone. Otherwise, I would go for the UM program.<BR><BR>Hope this helps,<BR>Andre