[hbrown22]

Ok you guys, my MIL who I love dearly, wanted to know if I would be willing to put my 3-year-old on a plane to go visit her alone. When I told her no, she kind of acted like, well what's the big deal? She's 3! That's what is the big deal. I think you have to be at least 5 anyway and even then I don't think I'd put her on a plane by herself. We're talking a 4 or 5 hour flight. Am I being so unreasonable? I guess what I would like to know is what age do you think is appropriate for a child to fly unaccompanied? I know a lot depends on the child's personality and maturity level. I know this will be coming up a lot in the future as my in-laws live across the country.

[stinky_kitty]

I don't think you're being unreasonable!! My daughter is 7 1/2 and I'd probably let her fly alone, but we only live an hour away (by plane) from grandparents. My son is 4 1/2 and there is no way he would be ready for that.

[BrandyHagz]

My son was 7 I think.....

It was a 3 hour flight, non-stop. I only flew the 'big names' and I also flew him first or business class - so he got more one on one attention.

I have also flown with him, hopped a plane when we arrived at DFW and flown back.

He flew UA this summer, age 13...was the first time he'd ever flown totally unaccompanied...age 13 you no longer get the 'assistance' you did as a UAM. He was totally on his own and talk about being FREAKED out.

[SKL]

I don't know the rules, but I would think it would be a rare 3-year-old who would be ready for this. Would she even be mature enough to handle her bathroom needs in such a strange environment? Wow. My thought is 5 at the youngest, and even then it would depend on the child's maturity and experience.

[Michelle Smiles]

I'm not at all an uptight mommy...but I can't even wrap my mind around someone thinking it is okay to put a 3 year old on a plane alone.

[crick]

If I remember right from my son's flight, no child under 5 could fly alone.

My son was 10 and he flew from CO to OH. It had to be a non stop flight (which I'd do anyway) and all the info had to be given before the flight on who was picking him up with their driver's license number etc.

[jennsult]

Oh my, I can't imagine a grandmother even suggesting such a thing. Especially with all the turmoil with airlines these days. God forbid there was a problem (which there ususally are these days). Maybe 7 or 8, IF, it was a direct flight and I could walk her to the gate. Even then, I would be totally freaked out.

[dac_cincy]

There is no way my 3 year old coul dbe on a plane without me.
1. too little to really tell someone he is not feeling good should he get motion sick.
2. Too fearful of strangers- so the assistance would be worthless
3. Can't buckly himself in, but can unbuckle himself in a heart beat
4. Refuses to mind at time (toddler behavior)
5. Certainly can not go to the bathroom alone
6. Can't open the wrappers on the forks and knives on the plane
7. Would not sit with a stranger next to him
8. probably would kick the seat in front of him for the entire flight
9. Would probably scream for some period when he realized I was not going
10. Because I am the momma and I said NO would be my answer to the grandparents.

Tell your MIL, she is welcome to come visit you, book a hotel and take your child for an afternoon- but there is no way under the sun or over your dead body that you as the parent are putting pre-schooler/toddler on a plane alone.

Just my 2 cents worth.

lvoe and hugs to you,
Deb

[bethy724]

Why can't MIL get on a plane & fly across the country if it's no big deal? There is NO WAY I'd even put a 5 year old on a plane alone to go cross country. It's pretty selfish lf MIL to even ask.

[allgodsgrace]

I'm not at all an uptight mommy...but I can't even wrap my mind around someone thinking it is okay to put a 3 year old on a plane alone.

I am an uptight mommy and there is no way on earth I would suggest a child (especially mine) to fly anywhere-- 30 minutes OR cross country-alone.

One of the few times you can pull the momma card and have no doubts about it..... tell her NO WAY!!

[trixila]

No disrespect to your MIL, but my first thought would be "she's gotta stop smoking that crack cocaine!"

[kim wski]

Well I think everyone would say no to flying a 3 year old alone...so now what you need is a little support to keep the peace with your MIL. So this is from an airline site on unaccompanied minors flights.

Any child age 5 through 14 is allowed with an additional fee for an escort.
Children ages 5 through 7 may fly unaccompanied on nonstop, direct flights only.

By the way, you can escort a minor to the gate with a special pass you request at the ticket counter.

Good luck with your MIL.

Kim

[hbrown22]

Well, thanks for making me feel validated! Actually, she just booked a flight for DD and I to go visit them. They do come see us more often than we see them so it is not that she won't come here. She just likes to show off her granddaughter to all her friends! So it worked out. But if she wants to see DD, she's gonna get me too. She really is great but sometimes she just doesn't really think things through and I think it has just been so long since she's had kids that age that she tends to forget certain things! Kinda like my dad, who wanted to buy Emmi a 4-wheeler. Uh, hello Dad, she can't even steer her own tricycle! Gotta love 'em though, just thank goodness they are the grandparents and not their guardians .

[angieandstever]

Originally Posted by trixila

No disrespect to your MIL, but my first thought would be "she's gotta stop smoking that crack cocaine!"

Ha ha I needed this laugh!

In all honestly there is no way, not even if my life depended on it, that I would let my daughter when she is 3 fly alone. Honestly I am thinking maybe when she is 16 I would consider it but then again I am an uptight mommy! Glad to hear it worked out for you all!

[mamaskoby]

IS she crazy?? lol! No way!!