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Airplane travel - your child and your au pair...

I have a question that I am wondering if anyone has experienced. I am traveling in a few months within the US. I have an opportunity to leave earlier, with my son, as he is in preschool. My daughter is in elementary school and can't take days off from school the way a preschooler can. I could theoretically fly out a few days before the weekend we are meeting up with family, with my son, only, and have my au pair and daughter fly out a few days later. (My husband may or may not join us, depending on work).

 

Has anyone ever had their au pair fly with their child within the US? Would you even consider doing that? I am concerned about security.. the what ifs... Still, can someone who is not a parent even fly with a minor? I am not even sure I would do this, but I am curious if anyone else has. My daughter is 7, and they would be fine, but it is an option, so I just thought I would throw it out there to see if anyone has ever encountered this, done this, and how it worked out. Thanks!

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Minors Flying Alone or with Au Pair

Hi, yes, I am almost positive your au pair can do this with your child.  My friend used to send her child to Florida, to visit the grandparents, every spring break.  He started when he was under the age of 10 years old and he did not have anyone accompany him!  You make special arrangements before hand and the stewardess takes care of him while he is on the plane.  They never had any trouble  Now, that was a few years ago and before 9/11.  To be sure, I suggest that you call the airline and find out all the details.  As long as they both have their passports, they should be fine.

  • By Edina at 02/03/2010 - 08:49
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you can still do that

Hi Edina, yes, you can still send a child alone on a plane.  Children age five through 11 can travel alone with a confirmed reservation but only on a direct or nonstop flight.  They will need their passport.

So, if they can go it alone, they surely can go with an au pair (which I think it much better than going it alone!).

Good luck Kaliforniamom!

  • By Marcie at 02/03/2010 - 09:04
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Re: flying with a host kid

Thanks for all the feedback. I think we are going to skip this. I just don't know how someone with a passport from one country could fly with a child from another (and not be the parent) and not create some sense of confusion. I think we are just going to take the older one out of school for a few days and call it a vacation. Thanks for the answers everyone.

  • By kaliforniafamily at 02/12/2010 - 02:11
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One suggestion...

Since your daughter will be accompanied by the au pair rather than travelling alone, I would recommend writing up some kind of "authorization" letter to give the au pair some kind of proof that she is responsible for your daughter, in case anyone questions her.  To be on the safe side, I'd get it notarized, although that may be overkill.  Something like, "To Whom it May Concern, As parents and legal guardians of [Child Name], we hereby grant permission for [Child Name] to travel with our au pair, [Au Pair Name], from [departure city] to [arrival city] on [date].  In the event of emergency, if I cannot be reached, [Au Pair Name] is authorized to consent to emergency medical treatment for [Child Name]."

If the travel is within the U.S., your daughter should not need a passport, although your au pair should bring hers.

As Edina suggests, I think I'd also call the airline, just to be sure.  (In particular, I'd ask about I.D. requirements for minors travelling with someone other than a parent.  When I've travelled with my own kids, they haven't needed any sort of I.D., but I don't know if it's different when they are travelling with a non-parent.)

  • By HostMomDP at 02/04/2010 - 12:30
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