Airline question

[Firemedic]

I'm sending my kids to my brother in Arizona for a lil vacation solo....

Besides freaking out... I have a question.

I prefer Southwest and they do have direct flights... however due to their ages they do not qualify for a chaperone... and its frustrating cause I still feel they should have one. Is there a loop hole? Can I still request one... is there another alternative?

Im making the calls around to other airlines... but its a bit frustrating due to times, lay overs, non direct flight and always talking to a damn computer...

Thoughts?

[indianskid7220]

I am pretty sure as an unaccompanied minor they will get priority handling. Which means they will be allowed to board before all others as well as be met at the arrival gate. I am not positive but I think that is how they are handled. There are others on here who will be able to answer better than myself im sure.

But dont worry SW especially will take good care of them and traveling alone isnt as hard as it used to be other than security.

[flynjay]

You could say it's their first flight without you...that may change there attitude about it.

[crabman]

Go with them, problem solved.

I don't know what the procedures are on planes for a code "Adam" but it should be a little less difficult to manage...

joking

Switching flights would be a bit scary to think about but direct flights they will be fine. You would see them off here and when they land they would have your family waiting for them not too difficult for them.

[Firemedic]

Go with them, problem solved.

Cant be in two places at one time but if I could I would do it all!!!

I don't know what the procedures are on planes for a code "Adam" but it should be a little less difficult to manage...

Damn now that brought back some scary memories...thanks :shock:

yeah I want a chaperone... but might have to settle for meeting them at the gates... thank god for cell phones I suppose...

[mhunter1175]

PM Rod, he sends his oldest on flights to visit granma several times a year from what I remember

[SgtPhox]

however due to their ages they do not qualify for a chaperone... and its frustrating cause I still feel they should have one. Is there a loop hole? Can I still request one... is there another alternative?

A lot of the time the ticket agent at the counter will make an exception if you ask nicely.

They usually give you a bogus boarding pass for a flight to get trough security.

[Ex250Rider]

Yeah just tell them they are UAM and that your brother is picking them up the basicly get an escort from security to the plane then from the plane back to security where they can be picked up. I have been apart of this numerous times as my parents live in 2 diffrent states 2k miles away from eachother. Getting a bogus BP to get through security works sometimes but they arnt supposed to and i wouldnt count on it. So if your going southwest i take it your flying out of Orlando/Sanford as opposed to OIA which is not a very big airport at all. OIA isnt so bad just alot more ground to cover once through security. And yes stay away from connecting flights and cell phones do wonders these days.

[Firemedic]

In order to get a direct flight with SW we went through Orlando... and still no chaperones but since they are just kids flying solo I can walk with them to the gates and my brother will meet them at the gate on his end... The plane does not land anywhere!

I think I will need a strong drink... sorry Rod... for me this is a first sending my kids across country solo so Im not used to it.

Thank you for your input guys!!!