15 yr old flying alone

[Melalvai]

Just wanted to share because this was exciting for everyone concerned. Fortunately it all went smoothly. That's a really good thing because it was awfully stressful and that's with everything goes as it is supposed to. I know some kids are old hands at flying alone, but we're not so worldly!

I put my daughter on a plane this morning. She's flying to Spanish Immersion Camp at Concordia Language Villages near Bemidji, Minnesota. She's flown a couple times ever in her life. She had a connecting flight in Memphis.

She flew out of the regional airport, which was great because security is easy. There are only 2 flights out of that airport each day. My biggest concern was making the connection in Memphis. She called me and I kept her on the phone until she told me she was looking at her next gate. Then I let her get lunch!

The other concern was in St. Paul, where the camp staff are supposed to meet her. They were right where they said they'd be, at her gate when she disembarked. She's fed & sheltered though homesick!

She gets to do it all over again in two weeks. The staff will make sure she gets on her flight in St. Paul, she'll do the connection in Memphis again, and we'll meet her at the regional airport.

[Tuckervill]

I wish I could go there.

She'll be an old hand at it when she gets back.

Karen

[Crankin]

Ah, my kids flew alone (supervised by flight attendants) when they were 5.
Granted, it was a 30 minute flight from Phoenix to San Diego, to visit grandparents, but they couldn't wait until they were old enough for this!

[Biciclista]

yeah, mine flew at age 7.. Back in those days, it was just not a big deal.

[Crankin]

I would still do the same thing today, at least with my own kids, who could handle it.
I flew by myself lots of times, up and down the east coast in high school. I remember one time, when I was coming back from Boston, to go home to Miami, and we had a very long (hours) weather delay. They gave out free champagne, and readily served me! That, of course, would not happen today.
Don't get me started on how parents don't give their kids enough credit to be able to handle these things. Of course, kids are all different, but the attitude of fear today just doesn't sit well with me.

[Biciclista]

I'm with you, Crankin. My kids took the bus around town as teens and went out to play even while little without me supervising them constantly. I cannot imagine having had to raise them the way it is now. I think I'd still tell them to go out and play.

[marni]

My best friend and I flew alone to France when we were 16!

Memories

I flew alone (put on a plane at one end and met at the other) routinely between LA and Salt Lake City from age 6 onwards. I started taking the train overnight also alone when I was 12 and communted back and forth by grey hound bus from LA to Albuquerque from age 10 one each summer.

It was scary a bit at times, and yes those were safer times and adults always seemed to be there if I needed help but I quite liked the independence and having my own job.

Muirenn, I just noticed you are from Beaufort. That is one lovely little place. We lived in Jacksonville nc for several years and enjoyed exploring both NC and SC. I'll bet you have some lovely riding opportunities.

marni

[Crankin]

Slight Hijack...
Marni, was your DH in the military?
My son did some training in Jacksonville and said it was the "armpit of America!"
I loved Beaufort, too! Been there twice. Once, for boot camp graduation and another time, we did a trip to Hilton Head.