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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?
23
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 7:40 pm to DumpsterFire
quote:
Every unaccompanied child I've seen has always had an airline employee with them.
This kid didn't. I asked him where his parents were so I could offer to swap seats with them and he said that he was alone then a flight attendant came by and asked the same thing, she looked at me and said "They really can fly a lot younger now, they just changed the rules".
That's what bothered me, I think that sending the kid with an airline escort is different than sending them completely alone.
This post was edited on 8/9/14 at 7:41 pm
Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:44 pm to KSGamecock
I can see doing it for kids 12 and older, but it would scare me to death to do it any younger than that.
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 7:48 pm to South Alabama Fan
At 21, I and people I worked with were chaperones for a bunch of 17 year old girls on a week long trip to London, and no parents came along. I look back now and can't believe those parents trusted us.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:51 pm to KSGamecock
quote:They have to have an escort any time they are not on the plane. You have to pay extra for the ticket for this.
That's what bothered me, I think that sending the kid with an airline escort is different than sending them completely alone.
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 7:53 pm to five_fivesix
quote:
BTW, she returned home on 9 Sept..........2001.
Sheesh. That would have been the kicker for me. No matter how much bitching the wife did, the answer would be "No."
Posted on 8/9/14 at 7:58 pm to KSGamecock
quote:
his kid didn't. I asked him where his parents were so I could offer to swap seats with them and he said that he was alone then a flight attendant came by and asked the same thing, she looked at me and said "They really can fly a lot younger now, they just changed the rules".
That's what bothered me, I think that sending the kid with an airline escort is different than sending them completely alone.
Obviously, they aren't going to send someone with him on the actual plane. They just have people with him when he passes through security and when he gets off the plane. You can't really get lost when you get on the plane.
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 8:09 pm to finestfirst79
Can you imagine the parents of unescorted kids flying on 9/11? Holy frick. When they shut down the airspace, planes landed everywhere and they didn't fly again for a day or so. I'd a been out of my mind.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 8:09 pm to LewDawg
quote:
Call the cops.
Or da ambalamps.
Posted on 8/9/14 at 8:13 pm to LewDawg
quote:
I also let my kids ride around on four wheelers even though they're not 16
Helmets at least? I have a neighbor who had about a 6 year old girl on a kid size 4 wheeler riding around without a helmet.
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.
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