Minors Travelling Alone

[jeanb84 1]

My kids will be travelling alone from the Philippines to Detroit Michigan. Can anybody share their experiences. I will not be able to be with them for several reasons, for one is my work. I am just worried on how the attendants will take care of my kids.It will be a very long flight and I feel really bad that I cannot be able to travel with them. Any advice anybody. Thank you!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My kids will be travelling alone from the Philippines to Detroit Michigan. Can anybody share their experiences. I will not be able to be with them for several reasons, for one is my work. I am just worried on how the attendants will take care of my kids.It will be a very long flight and I feel really bad that I cannot be able to travel with them. Any advice anybody. Thank you!

Our youngest is 17. Next youngest is 20. If I was worried about them traveling alone I would go to travel with them and my job would have to get over it.

Edited February 28, 2012 by Gary and Alla

[bestofboston 36]

Is Detroit the end of their flight or are they continuing beyond Detroit and Detroit is just the Point of Entry?

What are their ages?

The biggest issue is when they stop in Japan. They have to get off of the plane, go through security and then wait to re-board the plane for the next leg to Detroit

Detroit airport is easy to get through, especially if you have a domestic flight to catch out of Detroit. The problem sometimes is getting through customs quick enough to catch your domestic flight.

As far as flight attendants, they should be very helpful on giving them any advice. They will even help them fill out their declaration forms.

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

*** Moving from US Citizenship to Travelling During US Immigration forum *****

A lot will depend on the ages of the kids. If they are very young, it could be they would only be accepted on through flights (without connections in Ja[an or elsewhere). Make sure they have toys and maybe some favourite snacks. If you can afford it, a handheld game system or DVD player is a good idea. Most likely, they will be seated near the gally where the flight attendants prepare meals and rest, but no-one will have time to engage them much.

[Wally G! 58]

I have travel many times back and forth to Philippines and seem on each flight either go or come from there. Child/Minors traveling by themselves. You will need to inform the Airlines that they will be traveling alone. From what I saw they all where taken care of well. from boarding, transfer to connecting flight to final destination. There will be someone escorting them from each gate to arrival area in the airport at final destination.

[jeanb84 1]

Is Detroit the end of their flight or are they continuing beyond Detroit and Detroit is just the Point of Entry?

What are their ages?

The biggest issue is when they stop in Japan. They have to get off of the plane, go through security and then wait to re-board the plane for the next leg to Detroit

Detroit airport is easy to get through, especially if you have a domestic flight to catch out of Detroit. The problem sometimes is getting through customs quick enough to catch your domestic flight.

As far as flight attendants, they should be very helpful on giving them any advice. They will even help them fill out their declaration forms.

Hi BestofBoston,

Yes Detroit will be their port of entry. I am however anticipating one stop over to Tokyo Japan then from Japan to Detroit. I am still trying my best to get them non-stop flight though.

Thank you!

[jeanb84 1]

I have travel many times back and forth to Philippines and seem on each flight either go or come from there. Child/Minors traveling by themselves. You will need to inform the Airlines that they will be traveling alone. From what I saw they all where taken care of well. from boarding, transfer to connecting flight to final destination. There will be someone escorting them from each gate to arrival area in the airport at final destination.

Hi Wally Greene,

I feel relief from hearing that. Could you imagine how worried I am.

Thank you!

[Saylin 1,605]

My kids will be travelling alone from the Philippines to Detroit Michigan. Can anybody share their experiences. I will not be able to be with them for several reasons, for one is my work. I am just worried on how the attendants will take care of my kids.It will be a very long flight and I feel really bad that I cannot be able to travel with them. Any advice anybody. Thank you!

When I was younger, I flew with my sister, both of us as minors. My mother spoke with the airline and we got these little necklaces saying we were minors with our information on a card at the end of the chain. Once we said goodbye to our mother, a few flight attendants brought us on board (before everyone else!) and we were seated in the front row. The entire flight, the attendants kept a careful watch on us and I believe even gave us free food. I can't remember if we had a connection or not (this was 6 years ago), but if we did, then the flight attendants accompanied us outside where we were handed off to security who brought us to our next gate. All I can clearly remember is that throughout the journey, from saying goodbye to my mom and hello to my dad, my sister and I were always accompanied by someone from the airline/airport and everyone was extremely pleasant. As long as your kids behave themselves, then they should be treated very well. And make sure they have plenty to do on that long flight.

[SF2007 48]

I flew as an unaccompanied minor. I was 13 years old. Back then, my parents made arrangements with the airline and I was accompanied through customs and walked through the airport until I was in the custody of my relatives who were picking me up. It is not uncommon for them but YOU need to make sure you make the arrangements ahead. And whoever is dropping the kids off at the airport, needs to confirm the procedure with the airline at the counter. And make sure your kids carry your contact info and ideally pictures of who is picking them up.

[crankylovebratty 0]

Hi there! That would be fine travelling alone...My nephew (17) and niece (15) will be travelling alone this march. They have direct flight from Manila-Detroit (they have stop over in Japan but they I guess they dont need to get out of the plane though) I think the plane will just refuel and then from Detroit they still have connecting flight going here in our state. Anyway, if ever you will do that, just inform the airline . Also a letter of consent signed by both parents is needed; a letter something for DSWD near your place, copy of id's of whoever will pick them up in the airport; give them your complete address and phone number....

[mdbr 1]

When I first came to the US I was 15 and alone. My father requested with the airline somebody to assist me, which they did, when I had to connect the flight in Sao Paulo, but then again it was a different airline, country and it was 12 years ago. You should give the airline a call.

[aaron2020 11,651]

Contact the airline that you want to use. Check out what the airline's policy is on minors traveling alone.

Most US airlines will not allow a child under age 14 to travel alone on domestic flights with connections. Most will charge an unaccompanied minor fee and allow the child only to board non-stop flights.

Here is the policy for Philippines Airlines; http://www.philippineairlines.com/products_and_services/before_your_flight/special_handling/unaccompanied_minors/unacoompanied_minors.jsp

Edited February 28, 2012 by aaron2020

[danver 15]

My kids will be travelling alone from the Philippines to Detroit Michigan. Can anybody share their experiences. I will not be able to be with them for several reasons, for one is my work. I am just worried on how the attendants will take care of my kids.It will be a very long flight and I feel really bad that I cannot be able to travel with them. Any advice anybody. Thank you!

I planned to do that when my two kids ages 12 and 8 got their visas 2 years ago. I decided and was more at ease if i travel with them since it's their first time to get on a plane.

U can ask for airlines assistance and there will be a few bucks charges i think it was around $100 and they will make sure the minors will get to their final destination safe.

What i did was i just decided to go home and travel with my kids(did that for just a week). There was one 12 yr. old boy who was a passenger of the same flight we had and he was travelling alone escorted by the airline personnel.

Edited February 29, 2012 by danver

[danver 15]

My kids will be travelling alone from the Philippines to Detroit Michigan. Can anybody share their experiences. I will not be able to be with them for several reasons, for one is my work. I am just worried on how the attendants will take care of my kids.It will be a very long flight and I feel really bad that I cannot be able to travel with them. Any advice anybody. Thank you!

[Leaper 0]

Hi!

Thanks i found this topic..I am the aunt, my 7 yrs old nephew will be travelling with me tru K2 visa on the 3rd week of this month..What will be the other requirements needed in the immigration or port of entry other than the DSWD travel clearance.thanks for the help!