Question About Traveling

[victmich]

What is the name of your state? TX

If there is nothing mentioned in a divorce decree about vacations how are they to be handled by each parent in a joint custody situation? For example, can one parent decide to fly a child to their grandparents without the other parents permission? What about if a child has never flown before? What are the other parents rights as to phone #'s and places where they will be staying?

 

[Zephyr]

if there is nothing in the custody papers, then you should follow your states guidelines, if there is nothing there, then each parent is free to do with the child as they please on their own time with the child

 

[DelanaH]

Key word is**************...... On your own time!!

 

[victmich]

Not to sound dumb or anything, but when I google texas family code I don't see travel in there. Am I looking in the wrong place?

 

[nextwife]

What is the name of your state? TX

If there is nothing mentioned in a divorce decree about vacations how are they to be handled by each parent in a joint custody situation? For example, can one parent decide to fly a child to their grandparents without the other parents permission? What about if a child has never flown before? What are the other parents rights as to phone #'s and places where they will be staying?

UNLESS there are restrictions on travel in the CO, I believe that the parents may spend their time with their child anywhere within the US that they wish.

What is the big deal about flying? My daughter's been flying since she was two. She has travelled internationally five times and is now age 8. Are you referring to flying alone, or just being on an airplane (which my daughter has always thought was way cool). Flying can be very fun for a kid. My daughter has had several tours of the ****pit and visits with the pilots whenever they are available. The pilots are often very hospitable and happy to show off their profession to young passengers. IT can be a very exciting and educational process.

 

[jslopez711]

What is the name of your state? TX

If there is nothing mentioned in a divorce decree about vacations how are they to be handled by each parent in a joint custody situation? For example, can one parent decide to fly a child to their grandparents without the other parents permission? What about if a child has never flown before? What are the other parents rights as to phone #'s and places where they will be staying?

As long it is not out of the country CP and NCP can travel anywhere in the US with notification. Outside of the US you need to both agree.

 

[victmich]

UNLESS there are restrictions on travel in the CO, I believe that the parents may spend their time with their child anywhere within the US that they wish.

What is the big deal about flying? My daughter's been flying since she was two. She has travelled internationally five times and is now age 8. Are you referring to flying alone, or just being on an airplane (which my daughter has always thought was way cool). Flying can be very fun for a kid. My daughter has had several tours of the ****pit and visits with the pilots whenever they are available. The pilots are often very hospitable and happy to show off their profession to young passengers. IT can be a very exciting and educational process.

There is no big deal about flying. I am wanting to send my kids to visit their grandparents during part of their spring break. They too think it will be way cool and neither of them have flown before. I just wanted to make sure that CP wouldn't be able to cause a stink about it in regards to the one child who is a party to the CO.

 

[LdiJ]

There is no big deal about flying. I am wanting to send my kids to visit their grandparents during part of their spring break. They too think it will be way cool and neither of them have flown before. I just wanted to make sure that CP wouldn't be able to cause a stink about it in regards to the one child who is a party to the CO.

Since you are sending the children alone...their ages could matter.

 

[victmich]

Since you are sending the children alone...their ages could matter.

My kids are 11 and 12. The 11 year old is the child in question. I called the airline and was told that with my son being 12 that neither of them are considered unaccompanied minors. I would be able to get a pass and walk them on the plane and get them situated. The receiving person at the other end could also get a pass to meet them up close as they are coming off the plane. By the way this is a 1 hour flight so no layovers or plane changes.

 

[LdiJ]

My kids are 11 and 12. The 11 year old is the child in question. I called the airline and was told that with my son being 12 that neither of them are considered unaccompanied minors. I would be able to get a pass and walk them on the plane and get them situated. The receiving person at the other end could also get a pass to meet them up close as they are coming off the plane. By the way this is a 1 hour flight so no layovers or plane changes.

They are old enough that it won't be a problem....and with it being so short and no layovers it really should be fine, and fun for them.

 

[CarrieT]

My kids are 11 and 12. The 11 year old is the child in question. I called the airline and was told that with my son being 12 that neither of them are considered unaccompanied minors. I would be able to get a pass and walk them on the plane and get them situated. The receiving person at the other end could also get a pass to meet them up close as they are coming off the plane. By the way this is a 1 hour flight so no layovers or plane changes.

This is incorrect. Call reservations again at the airline and make sure they understand the ages of your children.

Each airline has its own age requirement, however with the exception of Southwest, (where the child is considered an adult at 12) the youngest age for an unaccompanied minor is a child age 12 and under. Most airlines age restriction is higher (Americans is 15). Any unaccompanied minor must either have paperwork as such unless travelling with an adult age 18 or older. So in your case, even if it is Southwest, the 12 year old cannot be the accompanying adult for the 11 year old.

If there are connections (domestically airline to airline) or if its an international flight (s), then the law changes, and there are greater restrictions.

Just out of curiosity, which airline is this and did you speak with a reservations agent?

Carrie

 

[victmich]

This is incorrect. Call reservations again at the airline and make sure they understand the ages of your children.

Each airline has its own age requirement, however with the exception of Southwest, (where the child is considered an adult at 12) the youngest age for an unaccompanied minor is a child age 12 and under. Most airlines age restriction is higher (Americans is 15). Any unaccompanied minor must either have paperwork as such unless travelling with an adult age 18 or older. So in your case, even if it is Southwest, the 12 year old cannot be the accompanying adult for the 11 year old.

If there are connections (domestically airline to airline) or if its an international flight (s), then the law changes, and there are greater restrictions.

Just out of curiosity, which airline is this and did you speak with a reservations agent?

Carrie

It's Southwest Airlines. The lady at reservations told me that since my son is 12 and my daughter is with him that they are both considered to not be unaccompanied minors

 

[CarrieT]

It's Southwest Airlines. The lady at reservations told me that since my son is 12 and my daughter is with him that they are both considered to not be unaccompanied minors

Ok it is Southwest I have conflicting information on them - reservations has stated the same as what you were told, however operations will say that the 11 year old must be accompanied by an adult 18 or over.

Best thing to do is allow plenty of time when you reach the airport in case you end up being required to fill out any paperwork.
Oh and you are correct you can have a pass to go to the gate with them and be sure and advise the agent at check in to PUT the meeting persons name in the reservation so there are no hassles when they go to the counter to get a pass to meet your children at the gate at the destination airport.
Carrie

 

[stealth2]

Ok it is Southwest I have conflicting information on them - reservations has stated the same as what you were told, however operations will say that the 11 year old must be accompanied by an adult 18 or over.

Nope. My kids fly SWA all the time, and as soon as #1 turned 12, he was allowed to escort #2 (9 at the time).