Kids Flying by Themselves

In my opinion they are too young. If they were going to see their father whom you were no longer with, that would be one thing. I would insist that if they were to go to see a grandparent I or hubby was with them.

Um... just because they can doesn't mean they should! I fly very frequently and have not seen children this age fly unattended. The airline does not give unattended minors a personal chaperone. Here's what typically happens:
- You stay with your child at the gate (you will get a special pass at the ticket counter)
- A flight attendant will meet you at the gate and personally escort your children to their seats, make sure they are settled and get them strapped in
- The same attendant will check-in on your children throughout the flight and get them things if they need them, but not seated with your children for the entire flight.
- They will stay on the plane until everyone else is off and the attendant will walk them to the gate. They will be hand-delivered to the identified adult on the other end. This person (your mom) will need to have ID to be able to take them with her.

Yes, they will be supervised, but not chaperoned directly. To me, this seems way too young. What if they need help going to the bathroom? Seriously! Or if they are just scared or bored, then what? The flight attendant will have other responsibilities on the flight, so you are really talking about two hours of entertaining themselves. Are they able to do that?

I flew often with my younger sister without my parents- we spent two weeks every summer with my grandparents. I was 10 and she was 7 the first time we were permitted to do so. I was old enough to help her if she needed something and to keep us both entertained on the flight. I was also old enough to know our contact info should something happen and express myself if we were not okay.

Just my opinion here, but 5 & 6 is just way too young to fly alone. Could you drive and meet her halfway?

I haven't personally done this, but I just finished a project writing the online help for a huge, international travel site and this topic was covered. You have to make special arrangements with the airline and book your ticket through them -no 3rd party tickets, and the tickets usually cost $60-$100 more for unaccompanied minors. You will receive a gate pass and so will grandma on the other end. An airline employee will supervise your children while boarding and until they disembark. The kids usually have to have photo i.d. and grandma has to present hers at the arrival point (and you when they return home).

I've seen children this young do this. Sometimes it's necessary when there's visitation and custody to deal with. However, personally, I wouldn't let my kids do it until they were 8 or 9 -maybe 7 at the earliest. It would really depend on the child and his/her personality. Also, most airlines use 5 as the cut-off age. Make sure if you do this that it's okay for a 5 year old to do it and not just children 6 and older. The only time your children will be without you or grandma is when they're actually on the plane -so that is something to consider.

Exactly how Krista described is what happens. I have never done it and would not be comfortable doing it either , not at the ages that your kids are. I think I would want my child to be at least 10 but then again when my kids are 10 I may still not be comfortable with it.

It is your decision and if you think your kids will be ok with entertaining themselves and going to the bathroom by themselves then do it.

Hi! I am a flight attendant with SWA so I am familiar with unaccompanied minors and the routine. How it works is like this, you get a special pass to get through security with your children and to stay in the gate area. You are required to stay until the flight departs. You could even ask the gate agent if you could walk down the jetway with your children to get them situated on the plane. However, if they don't let you, the agent will walk your children down to the plane and alert the F/A who is working the front section of plane, that there are u/m's traveling on the flight. He or she will take their items and help them to a seat in the first few rows and get them situated and typically give them more attention because they are children traveling alone. Once the plane lands, a designated employee walks the children off to find your MIL and her ID will be checked to match info with children's. I just can't remember at SWA exactly who walks the children to your MIL, it is either a F/A or the Operations agent(I haven't worked in a few of years so I can stay home with my children.) Anyways, it is all very professional and taken very seriously by all employees. When I was actively flying, I would give my u/m's extra attention because it can be a little scary for some, but most do really enjoy it. I am very comfortable with the procedures for u/m's and the employees at SWA. With that being said......I however probably wouldn't let my children travel alone until they are at least 10! But that is just the type of mother I am and has nothing to do with airlines. It is a procedure that happens successfully hundreds of times a day. It really just depends on you and your husband and how comfortable you are. I hope that helps a bit!

YOU get to stay with them until they go onto the plane, and then someone stays with them until they are picked up.

Those ages seem awefully young to me. Have they flown before? If yes, then I definitely wouldn't do it. They don't know what is correct and not correct experience.
Even if they have flown before I wouldn't be able to send my kids off alone.

Krista is correct, but most airlines charge for this service, on top of the ticket price.
I think 5 and 6 is too young. 9 and 10, probably okay, depending on the children. My daughter went on her flight flight like that at 11, although my son is 11, and I would still think twice about him doing that.

I think that what Krista described is accurate and in my opinion, is fine. It's 2 hours and they will have each other. And there is no connection.

Your MIL will be able to pick them up right at the gate.

It's up to you but I wouldn't have an issue.