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Sending a child on a flight alone is scary enough for any parent, These tips will help.
Last month, I read a news story involving two girls travelling as unaccompanied minors in the US who ended up on the wrong planes and alone at an unknown destination.
Wendy Babineaux, the mother of Taylor Williams, one of the two girls said she kept "getting the run-around" from the airline, (a well known one), while trying to find out how her daughter ended up in Fayetteville, Arkansas, when she was supposed to go to Charlotte, North Carolina.
The next day, 10-year-old Miriam Kamens was supposed to fly the same airline from Boston to Cleveland to visit her grandparents but instead landed up in Newark, New Jersey.
The parents of the two girls were justifiably upset with the airline for not letting them know instantly what had happened and that they had to get information from other sources.
Airline officials later said that the two flights were departing simultaneously from a single doorway and miscommunication among staff resulted in the children being boarded onto the wrong aircraft.
So, when my brother decided to send his 14- and 11-year-olds, alone to India, this was the first thing that popped into my head. As a parent, I can say this is extremely scary. However, I also remember travelling as an unaccompanied minor years ago without any mishap.
Do some research
What is an unaccompanied minor (UM)? Basically, it is a child travelling without a parent, guardian or other trusted adult. Most airlines take children between the ages of five and 11, sometimes up to 15 or 17 years, for an extra charge.
Abu Dhabi-based Etihad however only takes kids between five and 12 and those travelling on firm tickets. At the same time, children between 12 and 17 are not permitted to escort UMs if an adult is not accompanying them.
Once the child is checked in, he/she is the airline’s responsibility. All airport procedures, from passport control to security check are taken care of until the departure gate where they are handed over to one of the cabin crew.
On arrival, the ground staff escorts the child through immigration formalities before handing them over to the parent or guardian.
Singapore Airlines accords the service to children up to 17 years of age. “We take every step to ensure that children are safe when travelling alone,” says Jose Thachil, marketing manager, Gulf, Singapore Airlines. “Throughout the journey, from checking-in for the flight, to arriving at the final destination, the child is always under someone's care”.
Apply common sense
If you are planning to send your child as an UM, preferably fly them during the day. Though it is always better to place children on a direct flight, if there’s a connecting flight, best keep it during the day when children are less scared and more aware.
Emirates airline says they “do not accept UMs and young passengers (up to 17 years of age) for journeys with transfer connections involving either an overnight stay or a transfer between two airports at the connecting point, unless the parent or guardian has arranged for the child to be met and cared for at the transfer point (and these arrangements are confirmed by the airline’s local office) or if the minor is travelling with an adult escort.
Also, the parent/guardian collecting the unaccompanied minor at the airport must provide proof of identification”.
Also, what’s very important is to make contingency plans. Ask yourself what would happen if the flight is delayed, cancelled or diverted? How would you or the people at the destination get to know of the situation? That’s where the mobile phone proves to be a boon. Make sure the child has one so you can keep in constant touch.
Most importantly, make your children fully aware of their situation. If they do face a problem tell them to only approach a staff member (even if on the ground).
Cover all bases
Check airline policies before booking. Age restrictions and fees for UMs will vary. Inform the airline that a child is travelling unaccompanied in advance. Most flights will pre-board the UMs. Make sure they arrive at the airport well on time. If your children are unaccompanied ‘young passengers’ (between 12 and 17) still ensure you inform airline personnel Select a direct flight so the child is not distressed by waiting periods or missed connections Choose flights during the day, so they leave and arrive before sunset. Also day flights are less likely to be cancelled Do what you can to make sure they board the flight. Many airlines offer gate passes to parents to escort he child to the plane Make sure the person meeting the child at the destination is aware of all rules and procedures regarding unaccompanied minors. They should always carry some form of official identification. Keep in constant touch via mobile phoneMake sure to pack a few of the child’s favourite games and books to keep them occupied If he/she is a fussy eater, pack a favourite snack. Make sure the child carries some money on him, including the currency of the destination country.
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Travel TIPS 
