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Sending kids alone on airplanes, is it bad parenting?
Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:21 pm
Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:21 pm
I'm not sure why people do this. I sat next to an unescorted kid today on my Charlotte-KC flight and he was a trooper but I couldn't help but think that most kids couldn't handle navigating an airport/plane on their own - I know I wouldn't have been able to at 7-8 years old.
Why do parents do this? Is it shitty parenting or is it just more convenient?
Why do parents do this? Is it shitty parenting or is it just more convenient?
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Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:25 pm to KSGamecock
I can't imagine ever doing that.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:25 pm to KSGamecock
My parents did it with me a couple times when I was like 9-12 years old to go visit my grandparents. They both had work and plane tickets are expensive. A rep from Continental would make sure I got on and off okay, it honestly wasn't too bad. I understand why they did it though
Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:27 pm to KSGamecock
We flew our daughter alone to see grandparents when she was 13. I was a nervous wreck for both flights. I was against the idea from the start, but the wife won the day.
So, she's a bad parent.
BTW, she returned home on 9 Sept..........2001.
So, she's a bad parent.
BTW, she returned home on 9 Sept..........2001.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:28 pm to KSGamecock
The kids have to learn at some point.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:35 pm to KSGamecock
The airlines take very good care of children flying alone. Every unaccompanied child I've seen has always had an airline employee with them.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:44 pm to KSGamecock
At 24 years old I'm not convinced of my own ability to successfully complete air travel. I can't imagine doing it as a child.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:52 pm to KSGamecock
I never did it and can't imagine doing it, but it never struck me as a big deal if you trust the airline folks to watch after your kids. The last time I went to the airport to pick up the missus, there was a mom there to pick up her kid on a flight that arrived 15 minutes early, and she was raising hell at the TSA people that they had allowed the flight to come in w/o her there. Or something. And then it hit me what kind of parents do this.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:58 pm to KSGamecock
No it's not bad parenting. It's called real life.
I also let my kids ride around on four wheelers even though they're not 16. Call the cops.
I also let my kids ride around on four wheelers even though they're not 16. Call the cops.
This post was edited on 8/9/14 at 8:00 pm
Posted on 8/9/14 at 8:01 pm to KSGamecock
I don't understand the interest people take in other's parenting decisions.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 8:14 pm to KSGamecock
My parents did when I was 8. The flight attendant was aware and she kept a close eye on me. My parents stayed with me till I boarded, and my grandparents met me upon arrival. No biggie. I rather enjoyed the new-found independence from what I can remember.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 8:47 pm to KSGamecock
I fly pretty regularly and see it in occasion. Usually the airline is very good to take care of these kids.
That being said I would never do it unless they were 12 or older.
That being said I would never do it unless they were 12 or older.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 9:07 pm to KSGamecock
no it isn't. Sometimes you have to send them places. They get taken care of really well and are escorted every step of the way.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 9:21 pm to KSGamecock
quote:
Sending kids alone on airplanes, is it bad parenting? (Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:21 pm)
I completely disagree with you. My parents have sent me on airplanes alone since I was 8. My parents would take me all the way up to the terminal. ( at least back then they could, because I was a minor) a flight attendant was always focused on me, because the airlines new I was a minor. I never had any problems. My parents are great parents. I can say from experience that it's not bad parenting. In fact traveling alone at as a minor made me have a better look on the world. I loved it when I was kid.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 10:27 pm to KSGamecock
Unaccompanied minors are taken care of by the airlines on these flights. You pay extra for it. We had two staying with us this summer and just sent them back to Arkansas. They have a room where they stay between flights and are supervised in flight.
Alaska Air policy. LINK
Alaska Air policy. LINK
quote:
We welcome child travelers and will gladly escort them to their final destination. Our Unaccompanied Minor Service is available to kids ages 5 through 17 years old, on both our domestic and international flights.
Posted on 8/10/14 at 1:05 am to KSGamecock
quote:
I'm not sure why people do this. I sat next to an unescorted kid today on my Charlotte-KC flight and he was a trooper but I couldn't help but think that most kids couldn't handle navigating an airport/plane on their own - I know I wouldn't have been able to at 7-8 years old.
Why do parents do this? Is it shitty parenting or is it just more convenient?
I did it all growing up because my dad lived in Colorado and we lived in Arkansas. My mom flew us out to see him every Christmas and summer break until I was 16. It wasn't bad at all and I would even venture to say that it helped me become more of an independent person as an adult. It's pretty empowering to be able to navigate a place like DFW as a 10 year old. Hell, more than once I had to calm folks down that sat next to me because they were scared of flying.
This post was edited on 8/10/14 at 1:15 am
Posted on 8/10/14 at 2:10 am to KSGamecock
My parents put me on planes by myself a few times. It's not bad parenting. It's actually a good lesson in independence, especially since the airline people know you're a minor and make sure you are taken care of if anything should go awry. It's pretty low risk (except for the idea that the plane could crash, but if you live your life in fear of things like that, that's a totally different issue)
Posted on 8/10/14 at 9:20 am to KSGamecock
I sent my 12 year old to see his Aunt in Florida many years ago.
He was noted as an 'unaccompanied minor' and Delta had a flight attendant assigned to such travelers. Had to change planes in Atlanta, they took care of him. All went fine.
He was noted as an 'unaccompanied minor' and Delta had a flight attendant assigned to such travelers. Had to change planes in Atlanta, they took care of him. All went fine.
Posted on 8/10/14 at 9:23 am to KSGamecock
quote:
I'm not sure why people do this.
My ma' did it back when I was around 6 or 7 and the airline took fantastic care of me. She was a Drill Sergeant, a single mother and had me staying with my grandmother to attend mandatory training and didn't have the capacity to send someone else with me.
The stewardesses flirted with me and I had a blast -- although I was never alone and checked on constantly.
Posted on 8/10/14 at 10:29 am to KSGamecock
quote:
I'm not sure why people do this. I sat next to an unescorted kid today on my Charlotte-KC flight and he was a trooper but I couldn't help but think that most kids couldn't handle navigating an airport/plane on their own - I know I wouldn't have been able to at 7-8 years old.
Why do parents do this? Is it shitty parenting or is it just more convenient?
They don't navigate the airports on their own, an employee does that for them. Airports are very good about navigating children through airports and to their final destination. It's not irresponsible parenting at all.
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