It’s that time of year—school is out and children are flying, often on their own, to camp and to visit friends or relatives around the globe. Crew members will do everything in their power to make sure your child is safe and happy during the flight, but there are several things you can do help make that happen.
1. If possible, book your child on a direct flight. If that isn’t possible, try to get the first flight of the day (which is less likely than later flights to be delayed) and make sure there is enough time between flights so that if the plane is delayed, your child won’t miss his connection.
2. If your child has to change planes, be sure he knows the flight number and destination of the second flight so that he doesn’t get on the wrong plane by mistake.
3. Make certain your child understands that when the plane lands, he or she must not get off on his own and that ONLY an airline employee (either a flight attendant or a gate agent) will take him off the plane and into the terminal to be certain he is met by the “authorized” adult or taken to a connecting flight by only an airline employee.
4. When checking in at the airport with your child, ask the agent if there are any other unaccompanied children on the flight and if they could sit together. Children seated together will have more fun and be less likely to be frightened, and crew members will be better able to look after them.
5. When your child boards the airplane, its ok to ask if it would be possible for him (or her) to see the cockpit. That’s one of the perks of being a cute little kid and pilots love the visit (unless they are busy with pre-flight prep)!
6. Be very sure your child understands that if he’s nervous or if anything at all is making him uncomfortable he must inform a crew member! Unfortunately, bad things sometimes do happen on planes. In fact, when I was flying for a commercial airline I once moved a little girl who was in a window seat next to a man who just made me uncomfortable. When I announced that I was changing her seat, the man asked me “why?” which just confirmed for me that I’d made the right decision. Why would he not have been happy to have an empty seat next to him on an overnight flight from NYC to Paris?
7. Write out all information, including your name and your child’s name, your address and phone numbers, where the child is going, who will be meeting him, and that person’s contact information, and extra relevant numbers just in case. Some if it will be duplicate information perhaps, but its good to have a back up to what is in the computer. Put it in an envelope addressed to “Flight Attendant/Agent” and give it to the child. If necessary, you can pin it to the child’s clothing.
8. Be sure your child has enough food and snack food to eat on the flight. You could pack granola bars, fruit that won’t get squashed (like apples, bananas, or oranges), or even chips. Many flights no longer provide meals, and snacks can only be bought with a credit card—not cash.
9. Make sure the child has a fully charged cell phone (and charger) with all pertinent numbers—including yours and the number of the person he’s visiting—pre-programmed in. If your child doesn’t normally use a cell phone, make sure he understands how to make a call and that it needs to be turned off during flight as to not drain the battery.
10. Be sure he has some cash as well as an “emergency” credit card. American Express just introduced the new “PASS” prepaid card for teens and young adults. You can put whatever dollar amount you choose, you can reload it, and you are protected it its lost or stolen.
