Has your child flown alone?

[Linda]

Posted by Linda on July 09, 2003 at 08:34:46:

Hello. I am a journalist writing for a major travel magazine, and the article I am currently working on is about children flying alone. I'm curious to hear from parents about experiences - both good and bad - with airlines' escort fees for their children. How much did you have to pay? Did the airline provide you with the services promised? Did the attendants pay proper attention to your child?

Thank you very much for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

[Arvid]

Posted by Arvid on August 06, 2003 at 12:57:50:

In Reply to: Has your child flown alone? posted by Linda on July 09, 2003 at 08:34:46:

Linda,

I am a travel agent as well as a full time single father. Most of the major airlines do charge and unaccompanied minor fee (these can vary from airline to airline). Additionally it is important to know that each airline will have different restrictions on what age is allowed for a minor traveling alone as well as if they can only be in a non-stop and or through flight only. The best thing to do when gathering your information is to either call each airline or visit their web sites as most all if this information is posted there.

I ran across the following as well. Hope it helps.

ARE YOU A SOLO PARENT HEADING OUT OF THE U.S. WITH KIDS?

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
FOR TRAVEL WITH MINORS
By Kyle McCarthy

Did you know that a child departing the United States and traveling with only one parent, a guardian, grandparents or other adults, must have written and notarized permission from both birth parents or legal guardians to enter many countries, even on a cruise ship?

In an effort to halt international child abduction, runaways, and the transport of children involved in child-custody disputes, American carriers have been cracking down on adults departing the U.S. with minors. "This is due to the enhanced awareness of children's rights in the last few years because of the Hague Convention," explains Anne Arnott, Immigration Program Manager at the Canadian Consulate in New York.

To reinforce this policy, since July 2001, the U.S. Department of State has required that both legal parents or guardians provide written consent when applying for a U.S. Passport for a child under 14. For more specific information, visit www.travel.state.gov/passport_services.html. Or, call 900/225-5674 or 888/362-8668, but have a credit card handy to pay for the phone charges (visit www.travel.state.gov/npicinfo.htmlto read about these charges).

Additional paperwork is required for international travel with minors to Canada, Mexico and to several other countries. Christopher Lamora, a spokesman for the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the U.S. Department of State advises families: "Contact the embassy of your destination country or study the Consular Information Sheets provided at www.travel.state.gov to find out what that country's requirements will be in terms of documentation, in order to bring a child into the country."

In fact, the Consular Information Sheets issued by the U. S. State Dept., which does not make these regulations, now carry this routine warning: "In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian if not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure."

As one of our editors and her son discovered while checking in to an American Airlines flight to Cancun, Mexican law requires that if only one parent or non-custodial adult(s) is accompanying a minor under 18 into Mexico, he/she must bear a notarized letter from the child's other parent(s) or guardian(s) granting permission to enter Mexico with the child, including the dates of travel, the accompanying adult's name, contact information, and a notarized signature.

A Carnival Cruise Lines spokesperson noted documentation wasn't mandatory on Carnival's Mexico-bound cruises "unless the child is spending more than 24 hours in Mexico." Mexican Consular Officer Hebe Cue corroborated this but added, "In case of weather or other cruise delay, it's better if adults have the notarized permission letter. In any case, it is required for American minors entering Mexico by air, no matter how long their stay."

Ms. Arnott agrees. "Canadian customs officers, who are the primary line of inspection for visitors, may require a notarized statement from both parents when they find a child under 18 traveling alone or with other adults. All carriers, including air, sea and land, can be fined for bringing people into Canada without the proper documentation." A consular officer at the U.S. Office of Children's Issues ( 202/312-9700) verified that many countries require a Permission to Travel letter, and reiterated that parents' notarized signatures plus identification for the child (certified birth certificate or passport), were both essential.

A spokesperson at American Airlines confirmed that they are enforcing this rule in order to comply with the foreign immigration process. A 2002 incident aboard the Norwegian Wind sailing for Alaska via Canada was one of the first indications that cruise lines are now more cautious about boarding children without the proper documentation. At Royal Caribbean, an agent interviewed about Canada-bound cruises suggested single parents or other adults traveling with a minor carry notarized documentation "to be on the safe side." And, in the experience of FTF member families, notarized documents have been requested from single parents driving with children at both the Canadian and Mexican land borders.

Although travel agents and occasionally, the fine print on a brochure, are supposed to notify families that airlines and cruise lines may require proper documentation – or deny boarding – the paperwork can, and often does, slip between the cracks. Thorough documentation is especially important in situations such as travelers with different last names, same sex couples, and adoptive, divorced or widowed parents, who should carry certified custody or death certificates, as well as identification for themselves and the child.

Contact the FTF office ( 212/665-6124) or click here for a sample "Permission To Travel" letter you can print out, fill in, and carry with you on all future international travels.

Better safe than sorry.

[Pamela M. Young]

Posted by Pamela M. Young on July 09, 2003 at 14:25:13:

In Reply to: Has your child flown alone? posted by Linda on July 09, 2003 at 08:34:46:

My child has flown alone for the last six years starting when he was seven. He has only flown on Southwest Airline. The experience has always been good. With SW you don't pay an extra surcharge for the child to fly alone. One word of caution. ALWAYS wait until the plane takes off before leaving the gate. One time I didn't and I didn't realize that the plane was delayed taking off because of weather conditions where he was going. I was more than a hour away from the airport when I finally talked to my mother who told me. I was beside myself until he arrived to her safely.

[Linda]

Posted by Linda on July 16, 2003 at 09:52:35:

In Reply to: Re: Has your child flown alone? posted by Pamela M. Young on July 09, 2003 at 14:25:13:

Hi Pamela,

Thank you so much for responding to my inquiry. Would you be willing to allow me to ask you further questions via phone or email?

Thanks again,

Linda