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I appoligise for such a long answer, but i got if off a web site, it is regarding air canada, however the "law" clearly states
Who can travel alone............and i believe this is due to regulatory legislation...you never mentioned your age, so I sent it all..
Effective April 1st, 2007, travel for Unaccompanied Minors is available on non-stop flights only. Connecting flights are not permitted. Children aged 5-11 may travel alone on flights operated by Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz and Tier 3 flights Central Mountain Air (CMA) - Flight series 7200-7300 Air Georgian (GX) - Flight series 7350-7499 Exploits Valley Air (8K) - Flight series 7615-7649.
Codeshare flights are not permitted.
It is mandatory, however, to use unaccompanied minor (UM) services, which include being escorted by Air Canada agents and/or flight attendants. Unaccompanied minor service is optional for children aged 12-17 travelling alone.
Who needs to be accompanied?
Children under five years must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or older. Children under 12, for whom UM assistance hasn't been ordered, must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or older.
Service Fee
UM service is available on all fares. There is a nominal fee for the service of $75 CAD/USD each way per child.
The best of care with UM
Whether flying on domestic, transborder, or international routes, your child receives extra-special care from Air Canada agents and flight attendants. From the moment they arrive at airport check-in until they reach their destination, all children are escorted and supervised by our highly-trained staff.
Before the flight
Reservations
Contact Us
"My child's travelling alone." To make a reservation for your child, call Air Canada Reservations or your travel agent. Let them know your child will be travelling alone. You will be given details about our special services and what procedures are involved when a child is unaccompanied.
Advance seat selection: Does your child like to sit by the window? With our advance seat selection you can reserve a seat in your child's favourite area in the aircraft. When you make the reservation, request advance seat selection for your child. For their added security and comfort, Air Canada has selected specific seats on each of its aircraft for children travelling on their own.
Pre-boarding: There's no getting lost in the crowd. All children travelling alone are boarded ahead of the other passengers. This gives your child time to settle in comfortably and ask the flight attendant any questions s/he may have about the flight.
Restrictions: Air Canada will allow unaccompanied minors to travel on any itinerary involving Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and/or Tier 3 flights Central Mountain Air (CMA) - Flight series 7200-7300 Air Georgian (GX) - Flight series 7350-7499 Exploits Valley Air (8K) - Flight series 7615-7649
Codeshare flights are not permitted.
Connections are not permitted. UM service is permitted exclusively on direct, non-stop flights.
At the airport
We take care of them, every step of the way
The first step on your child's trip is getting checked-in. When you arrive at the airport, head for the Air Canada counter to begin check-in formalities.
Getting all the details
You will be asked to complete a "request for carriage" form, which is attached to an envelope bearing the letters "UM."
The form contains:
Your child's identification;
Their flight number;
The names and contact telephone numbers of people who will meet your child at the destination, and;
Their parent or guardian's authorising signature.
The envelope is always in the care of an Air Canada agent. It serves as a document holder for your child's passport, airline ticket, emergency numbers, and Customs documentation.
Unaccompanied Minor Service… Because we care!
UMs are easy to see in a crowd. An agent gives each child an UM lanyard (hang tag) or distinctive baseball cap to wear while travelling with Air Canada. These items help our highly-trained staff to quickly identify your child, so that they can provide them with the supervision and personal care we're so well-known for.
Step by step
Even after an Air Canada agent has taken your child into their care, you must remain at the airport until the flight has departed.
The agent will accompany your child through the security check and proceed to the boarding gate area. Where permitted, parents or guardians may escort unaccompanied minors to the boarding gate area.
Once boarding is announced, your child will be escorted to the aircraft ahead of other passengers. S/he will be greeted by the Inflight Service Director who will guide them to an assigned seat.
Throughout the flight, your child will be supervised by crewmembers.
Upon arrival at your child's destination, the Inflight Service Director will help them disembark, and will hand them over to an airport agent, who will escort your child to the Arrivals section to meet the person designated on the UM envelope.
The person meeting your child will be asked for photo identification, and will sign the UM envelope, accepting responsibility for the child.
Tips for a safe and happy trip
Before your child goes on a trip, prepare them for it by explaining the details in advance--this way, it's less stressful for everyone.
Your child should be well-rested.
Ensure your child has a carry-on bag containing a snack and some favourite items--just like you, kids need something to read or eat in case of a delay.
Make sure the parent/guardian meeting the child at their destination is aware of all flight details and the formalities of the UM service.
If you need any additional information, or have any questions about how to plan for a child travelling on their own, please contact your travel agent or Air Canada.
Escorting unaccompanied minors to the boarding gate area
Many parents or guardians have informed us of their desire to accompany their child to the boarding gate.
Escorting an unaccompanied minor may not be permitted at select airports. Please see an Air Canada representative at check-in.
If your child is traveling unaccompanied, either one (1) parent or one (1) guardian may accompany the child to the gate. The parent or guardian may be required to fill out a "Passenger Escort Form," and show photo identification.
Due to security regulations, the passenger escort service is not available for flights to the United States. In this case, an Air Canada agent will escort the child to the gate.
If a parent or guardian is unable to escort the child, Air Canada will provide the escort. Parents or guardians are requested not to leave the airport until the flight has departed.
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Eclipsepearl
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To fly as an "unaccompanied minor", which means you are escorted to the plane and get other special treatment, you usually have to be at least 5 years old for a domestic/national non-stop flight.
I assume you're a bit older than that to be posting this question!
For unaccompanied minors, there is a fee and some booking restrictions.
To travel totally on your own, it depends on the airline. Some go as young as 12 or 13. Check the site directly.
Here's British Midlands;
http://www.flybmi.com/bmi/en-us/servicesandinformation/beforeyoutravel/unaccompaniedminors.aspx
British Aiways;
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/childinfo/public/en_gb
Some low cost companies do not have an unaccompanied minor program so please be careful. Check their minimum age before buying your ticket. Your parents will know which companies I'm talking about...
I used to handle a lot of unaccompanied minors when I worked as a Flight Attendant. It's safe and I would send my own children this way, if circumstances required it.
So good luck. I too, hated to drive down to L.A. from San Francisco where I grew up. So long and boring.
If you have to drive with them, ask them to either buy you a portable DVD player so you can watch movies or a DS machine. My kids love their DS's in the car.
Your parents are going to really, really hate me for suggesting this!
Good luck. |
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