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Because of her heart defects, surgeries, meds, and who knows what else, my oldest daughter has a lot of developmental and emotional problems. Visitations with me are wonderful until a few days before the end when she falls apart. The last day is absolutely horrible for her, and me She's very, very attached to me and her sisters tell me she has nightmares, cries in her sleep and calls for me

As a trial for potentially moving in with me permanently I'm going to have her here most of the summer, to see what it's like being away from her father, brothers, and sisters.

She'll be flying down next month on USAir; the flight itself is only 90 minutes but it's her first time flying and she'll be alone. She's both excited and nervous about it.

Anyone else have experience with kids flying alone?

Last edited by Theresa_M at 20-May-2005 11:23

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

The first time I flew unaccompanied on an airplane was back when I was four. I didn't have a problem with it, and since that first flight I've almost always flown by myself. I flew for eleven hours from the East Coast to Hawaii when I was six, and I've done that probably over a dozen times, not to mention numerous other flights across the nation. If your daughter doesn't have a phobia of airplanes, I should think that she would be fine. Just have her pack reading material, maybe a Game Boy or something, a c.d. player if she has it, and some of her favorite snacks. That will make her feel better about it.

Oh, and maybe have her bring some gum or something to help with the whole ear popping thing. The pressure difference can be a little discomforting to young kids who aren't used to it.


Last edited by sirbooks at 20-May-2005 12:01

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

Theresa, get in touch with the airline. They have instructions for children flying alone. They also can tell you about available resources to help the kids through the trip.

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If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.

I concur with the above. Contact the airline, explain the situation, and they should provide suitable watch-over facilities to make sure that your daughter experiences the flight as an adventure instead of a source of trauma. Modern airlines are (or at least should be) remarkably good about such issues. I know that the UK airlines have special provisions in this regard, and it would be unusual for an American airline to lag behind their competitors in an area such as this, where even a small amount of negative publicity would impact severely on the airline's reputation. Let's face it, they want you to travel with them, and even from a purely mercenary standpoint, performing well in a situation like this expands their customer base. Successfully transporting your daughter safely despite her extensive list of medical issues will be a big feather in their cap: at least that's how they'll see it, and so they'll probably pull out several extra stops. I know if I was running an airline, I'd jump at the chance to get this one right!



Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

<<<<Flew alone lots....well with a sister. I do know that they always walk the kids to the gate, they get special tags that they wear, little fun packets nowadays....check with the airline about food. Many of the continental flights do not serve an actual meal, just snacks...if she's got lots of snacky stuff that'll help.

I used to have horrible time with the ears issue...the only thing that helped once was to have a styro cup with a hot paper towel placed in the bottom, gum is also good but never really helped....Lots of kids do it these days she's got nothing to be worried about and everything to look forward to!

^_^[hr width='40%']"Has someone taken your faith? It's real, the pain you feel.
The life, the love, You die to heal.
The hope that starts, The broken hearts...
I’ve got another confession my friend, I’m no fool.
I’m getting tired of starting again, Somewhere new."

I flew alone a whole lot too. I had TONS of good experieinces where everything went off without a hitch, but my one recommendation is to not have a child fly alone on a flight where transfer(s) are required. I did and ended up stuck in the Miami International Airport for approximately 5 hours by myself due to having missed the connecting flight because of weather delays on my first flight...

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

I've flown alone a lot too. It really isn't as big of a deal as those stewardesses make it out to be. On one flight, the lady made sure to tell me at least 5 times throughout the flight not to get up when we landed . Okay, I get that I'm supposed to stay behind so you can keep track of me, but my short-term memory isn't that bad! Hmmph. ]

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They wear masks of silk, porcelain, brass, and silver,
So as not to mislead with their own, ordinary faces.

<<<< would find it very scary

I cant imagine what i'd do w/out everyone else doing everything for me

I have flown my son alone a few times.

Get direct flights if you can.

Go all the way to the gate. The day the flight comes in you go to the airlins and they will give you a special pass to get through security. Let the people at the gate know you are there for your child and watch the plane. They tried to take off with my son in a van that was parked next to the plane once. I raised hell and it promptly turned back around.

He has always been specially badged and had a flight attendent of his own pretty much looking out after him (I always use Delta airlines). He got cookies and things like that on the flight.

Beware the unaccompanied minor fee if your airline has one LOL. It is 50 bucks when you drop the kid off

In the information packet be very careful when you fill out the information of who can drop and pick the child up.

Delta screwed up once and didn't want to let me pick my own son up, it was a mess.

My son says it was a lot of fun, but he was terrified ahead of time the first time.

Just let your daughter know exactly what is going to happen.

and have them beware of the "friendly" travelers who like to offer to help out kids they know are flying alone. My son gets lots of attention, adults really should know better.

Goodluck

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