query regarding unaccompanied minor

[luckymom]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? IL

My daughter (now 14) has been flying from Chicago to Dallas once a month to see her father since age 8. According to our original court orders, her dad and I are required to use the unaccompanied minor service until she is 16. This costs 200 extra per trip, and we split the cost.

My daughter is embarassed at flying UM when younger children are not, and her dad and I are of course not thrilled at the cost, which has more than doubled since she started flying. The flight is short at 2 hours and direct, so chances of something happening are remote and of course she travels with a cell phone.

Our question is, can we mutually agree not to use the UM service or do we need to get the judge to sign off on this?

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? IL

My daughter (now 14) has been flying from Chicago to Dallas once a month to see her father since age 8. According to our original court orders, her dad and I are required to use the unaccompanied minor service until she is 16. This costs 200 extra per trip, and we split the cost.

My daughter is embarassed at flying UM when younger children are not, and her dad and I are of course not thrilled at the cost, which has more than doubled since she started flying. The flight is short at 2 hours and direct, so chances of something happening are remote and of course she travels with a cell phone.

Our question is, can we mutually agree not to use the UM service or do we need to get the judge to sign off on this?

Yes, you can mutually agree. Get it in writing...every time.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

Have you checked out Southwest Airlines. Their unaccompanied minor policy stops when they are 12 yo. You can both get passes to go to the gate with your child. The parent who is picking up gets a gate pass to meet them. Especially if you are talking non-stop - it really isn't an issue.

My kiddo stopped unaccompanied this year and is thrilled! I ask that she pay attention to the person she will be sitting next to, but have had not issues.

Be careful of "direct" that stop, but don't deplane. It has been known that airlines will occasionally make you change planes - happened to me in August.

I've talked to my child about being prepared for all this. My child is to find a person who is dressed in either a pilot suit or flight attendant suit to help. I also have printed for my child their itinerary.