Unaccompanied Minors Airplane Trip

I loved flying alone when I was young, starting at age 10 for random things like going to Grandma's house, etc.

The flight attendants were super nice and responsible, and I felt like they were treating me like a baby, but that was probably good. I would just tell them to stick together, you know, the stuff you will say anyway, and they'll have a great time. I would be more concerned with finding something for them to do while in the air!

I flew by myself since I was 7! I loved it! I felt like a grown up, and all of the flight staff was wonderful. I always got extra snacks, treats, button, tours....and if there was room I often got to sit in first class! Relax. Your girls will handle themselves like little ladies, and it shows that you trust them. I flew from Colorado-Kentucky and New Jersey at these young ages, and I did just fine. Plus, they will be together, so they can "protect" eachother!
I even changed planes a few times. Did you know they have a cool play room for Unacompanied minors in most airports? If the airport doesn't then you get to go to the VIP lounge and drink all the shirly temples you want!
My parent's let me change planes in O'hare alone at 13! That is irresponsible, but you are not! Rest assured, your babies are in good hands!

Hi T.!
I'm one Mom with A LOT of experience in this matter. I have two step-sons that bounce back and forth between our house and thier mother's house. The oldest is now 14 1/2 years old and has been traveling as an unaccompanied minor since he was 7. At first, when he was 4, my husband always flew to go get him. However, it got extremely costly and at the age of 7 we tried a short distance trip with United. They by far have the best service for unaccompanied minors! We've walked him and his brother to the gate, met the flight attendant who is with them, and thier mother met them on the other side. In seven years of doing this twice a year, we have never had a problem. We've always made sure they had a backpack with things to do to keep them occupied (ie, video games, dvd player,etc.) and the airlines are marvelous. And trust me, the paperwork they make you fill out before they get on the plane about who is able to pick them up on the other side, plus how to contact you, there is little to no risk of a stranger picking them up. One time, their mother forgot to put my name on the slip and just put their dad's name on there, and I was the one at the airport. Well, they had to sit in the business lounge under airline supervision until their dad came. No phone call from their mother worked, me having passports and identification for them worked, not even personal identification of me from them worked! Your girls will be fine!
V.

First of all sign them up for a frequent flier account! As a member of a frequent flier chatboard, I have to put that out there :-)

Second and most important...RELAX!!!! If you are a Nervous Nellie around them they will pick up on it and be total wrecks themselves! Don't do that to them. Exhibit confidence and they'll have a great time. Involve them in travel planning--show them the seat map and ask where they want to be (hint: www.seatguru.com will show you the airplane configurations on just about every airline and it'll tell you which seats are good or bad). Pull up airport terminal maps and show them where they'll be going.

Rules for unaccompanied minors are similar for most airlines. The big variation is the youngest age they'll accept as unaccompanied and the restictions on types of flights. At 9 and 11 I think a couple of airlines will allow them to fly on connecting flights but most will only permit direct (ie DEN-JFK with a stop in Dayton but they don't get off the plane) or nonstop flights.

Even though they won't be changing planes, make sure they have diversions (portable DVD player, PSP, GameBoy whatever) to occupy their time while waiting at the gate or worse, if there's an ATC delay and they're stuck on the plane but it's parked at the gate or on the taxiway for an hour (if that's the case, the diversion can't be electronic).

Remember, relax. That goes for your SIL too! Make sure she knows to make the experience pleasant for them. If you do it right, you'll create some traveling monsters and they'll be bugging you to take another airplane trip! There are plenty of bi-coastal/divorced/step kids out there who hold elite frequent flier status.

My then 10 year old son flew by himself last summer to meet his uncle from Cleveland in San Francisco for a vacation. He flew non stop on Frontier and everything was fine. He had flown a lot with us on various trips both domestic and international, so he already knew what to expect. Be sure they have some books, games, or other entertainment and a snack or two. I think Frontier gave my son their Direct TV service for free, which he loved. Make sure they know to wear their seat belt at all times and follow the directions of the flight attendants. Most passengers are pretty nice to the kids and keep an eye on them along with the flight attendants. I did caution my son that if a seat mate made him feel uncomfortable, he should talk to the flight attendant to see if he could trade seats with someone. I was paranoid too, only natural, and so I had my husband take him to the airport and the gate! I believe most airlines have really firm policies in place regarding unaccompanied minors. Research the airline's policy and you should feel fine! They usually give them special visible lanyards 'marking' them as unaccompanied minors. Make sure they also have you and your sister's cell numbers just in case. If the girls are excited, they don't sound apprehensive about the trip themselves. They will have a great time and you will get some time off!!

T.,
My ex and I fly our boys back and forth, the first time they flew alone they were 5 and 7. They did fine, the flight attendents helped them, they got to meet the pilot and got their wings. They thought it was the coolest thing ever. Your girls will be fine.