Why can't my teen fly to Europe alone?
Mar 12th, 2004, 01:09 PM
#21
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Two years ago, Air France would not ALLOW me to use their unaccompanied minor service, even though I was more than willing to pay for it. IN fact, when I first called them on the phone, they said sure, took all my information, and issued me a "code" for use when dropping the child at the airport. But when the day came for my daughter's then 13-year-old friend to fly home from France, AF said no way, the code was invalid, the kid was too old, bla bla bla...The kid had to navigate from Bordeaux to CDG to Dulles by herself. I spent 45 in the Bordeaux airport writing down detailed instructions and translations of signs I thought she might need to follow. She made it home fine, but I was freaked, as I had promised the parents I had taken care of the matter - even gave them that useless "code."
So I don't think there's any such thing as a uniform policy among airlines with regard to this. Air France doesn't even seem to know what its policy IS.
So I don't think there's any such thing as a uniform policy among airlines with regard to this. Air France doesn't even seem to know what its policy IS.
Mar 12th, 2004, 01:37 PM
#22
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"Yes, it seems ridiculous to me since the "child" in this case is a 6'2", 240lb 15 year old boy! I want to see a kidnapper take him down - LOL!"
Understandable. But I doubt they could legally have a different rule for him then they have for a 15 year old, 88 pound girl.
Keith
Understandable. But I doubt they could legally have a different rule for him then they have for a 15 year old, 88 pound girl.
Keith
Mar 12th, 2004, 02:04 PM
#24
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If your 15 year old son weighs 240 pounds, I suggest you forget about sending him to Europe and send him to a health camp instead. he will thank you for it some day and your money will have been put to a much better use.
Mar 12th, 2004, 02:29 PM
#25
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yeah, well, earl30, he's a 6'2" 240 lb weightlifter. what can i say? it's what he's good at and likes to do. it really doesn't have anything to do with this trip or the next one to the fitness camp.
Mar 12th, 2004, 02:31 PM
#26
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Thanks for all the replies. Even the snotty ones. I love a good jab. I can get him a ticket to fly over. That's not the issue. It's the fact that I can't get a discounted one. If I want to spend $1207, I can put him on an AF flight all by his big fat self, but it's not worth that kind of dough. Thanks anyway.
Mar 12th, 2004, 03:31 PM
#27
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I think the reason that many consolidators won't provide the discounted fare for minors is because of having to deal with the situation ad possibly take liability if something goes wrong. I'm sure your mature 15-year-old would have no problem at all if he had to stay overnight at an airport hotel or something due to a weather or mechanical issue, but I suspect the consolidator does not want to have anything to do with that should that occur.
Good luck finding a way around this. There might be a creative solution, or maybe you will get lucky with a cheap ticket directly from the airline site.
Good luck finding a way around this. There might be a creative solution, or maybe you will get lucky with a cheap ticket directly from the airline site.
Mar 12th, 2004, 07:11 PM
#28
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Crepes,
Maybe this is a dumb question, but do you have to tell the consolidator your son's age?
I don't remember anyone ever asking me my age or date of birth when I've bought a ticket.
Can't you just buy him an adult ticket?
Maybe this is a dumb question, but do you have to tell the consolidator your son's age?
I don't remember anyone ever asking me my age or date of birth when I've bought a ticket.
Can't you just buy him an adult ticket?
Oct 18th, 2005, 05:11 PM
#30
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I honestly thought that all airlines had an unaccompanied minor policy. I've seen kids of all ages flying internationally as unaccompanied minors.
We've done this every summer for several years with my DH's daughter and never had a problem. I know with AA they consider age 14 to be "young adult" and not needing accompaniment internationally (although I beg to differ, myself). However, we've never had a problem requesting the accompaniment, paying for it, and still having her fly with an escort internationally. It's never been questioned even though she's now over the age of 14. We just have to make a special request for such.
I hope you get this worked out, crepes.
We've done this every summer for several years with my DH's daughter and never had a problem. I know with AA they consider age 14 to be "young adult" and not needing accompaniment internationally (although I beg to differ, myself). However, we've never had a problem requesting the accompaniment, paying for it, and still having her fly with an escort internationally. It's never been questioned even though she's now over the age of 14. We just have to make a special request for such.
I hope you get this worked out, crepes.
Oct 18th, 2005, 05:18 PM
#31
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It is not a universal rule.
I personally know a 17 year old who has flown unaccompanied back and forth to the UK and to Paris, from the US.
He was not escorted on and off the plane, and he was not retrieved by an adult when he landed.
I personally know a 17 year old who has flown unaccompanied back and forth to the UK and to Paris, from the US.
He was not escorted on and off the plane, and he was not retrieved by an adult when he landed.
Oct 18th, 2005, 05:57 PM
#35
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I've been duped! I usually remember to look at the OP date. Serves me right for having one too many glasses of vino in anticipation of my last day of work tomorrow before going to Italy. (sans unaccompanied minors, I might add). 
Oct 18th, 2005, 06:58 PM
#38
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My 15 year old daughter flew to London this summer on American airlines and I did not even have to register her as an unaccompanied minor. It was a direct flight- maybe that made a difference.
They actually suggested that I shouldn't register her as I was not sure which aunt, uncle, or cousin was picking her up. If I paid the fee, they would have to know for sure who was coming and then they would only release her to that person. They said if there were any problems she would still be helped by an American airlines personnel, she just needed to be old enough to know how and when to ask for help.
I don't think you will have a problem if you go directly through the airline.
Oct 18th, 2005, 07:27 PM
#39
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The idea to go directly through the airline is correct. Usually the discounters don;t want to make themselves accountable for minors - and they're not set up to deal with airlne rules/fees for unaccompanied kids.
The other option is to have your child emancipated - but probably way more expensive and time-consuming than simply paying the airline's ticket price.
The other option is to have your child emancipated - but probably way more expensive and time-consuming than simply paying the airline's ticket price.
