Going to the gate with minors?

[Tink42]

Does anyone know if you are allowed thru security when you have minors travelling by themselves. DH and I are taking our children to the airport in Buffalo to fly to Florida. They are being met in Orlando by their grandparents. We want to walk them to the gate because they are flying Southwest (nonstop) and we want to make sure that the get seats and get on the plane. Then I can call my parents to let them know they are on their way. Now, they are teenagers (not small children) but still I don't like to leave the airport without knowing they got on the plane. Also, since my parents can't meet them at the gate, where is the best place for them to pick them up at Orlando airport? At the baggage carousel? And if so, how do they know what carousel they are at? Thanks for any help.

 

[Pluto4President]

Only Ticketed Customers Allowed Beyond the Security Checkpoint.
Each Customer traveling will need to possess and present one of the following, in addition to a government issued photo identification, in order to proceed beyond the security checkpoint area:
Any Southwest Airlines ticket issued at a Southwest ticket counter.
Any Travel Agency issued ticket.
Any Internet-issued Ticketless Travel Itinerary and Receipt.
Any Southwest Airlines issued Ticketless Travel Itinerary and Receipt.
Any Travel Agency issued Ticketless Travel Itinerary and Receipt.
Any photocopy or facsimile copy of a Southwest Airlines Ticketless Travel Itinerary and Receipt.
Companions who have their September 11th Security Fee receipt may show it to pass through the security checkpoints. Tickets will still need to be issued at the concourse ticket window, if unavailable please proceed to the gate.
In addition, unticketed Customers who have a specific need (escorting/meeting Unaccompanied Children; assisting Customers with disabilities; etc.) will be allowed beyond the security checkpoint provided they have obtained proper approval from Southwest Airlines ticket counter personnel.


Just tell them at check-in so you can receive the approval

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Tink42
Does anyone know if you are allowed thru security when you have minors travelling by themselves. DH and I are taking our children to the airport in Buffalo to fly to Florida. They are being met in Orlando by their grandparents. We want to walk them to the gate because they are flying Southwest (nonstop) and we want to make sure that the get seats and get on the plane. Then I can call my parents to let them know they are on their way. Now, they are teenagers (not small children) but still I don't like to leave the airport without knowing they got on the plane. Also, since my parents can't meet them at the gate, where is the best place for them to pick them up at Orlando airport? At the baggage carousel? And if so, how do they know what carousel they are at? Thanks for any help.

Depends on their age and some other factors. If you have older teens, I doubt if they'll issue you a gate pass to accompnay them. Younger ones maybe, depending on if you've paid an unaccompanied minors charge. Best bet is to call your airline directly and ask about the policy.

Anne

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Your parents can meet the kids right at the area where the tram stops, outside the security area. Hope that was not too vague. Your parents can look on the big screen for arrivals, they can find out what gate the kids will be getting off on. They can then proceed to where the entrance to the gate is. They can then see where passengars are leaving the the tram area (many limo services wait there) and will probably see the kids.
They could meet the kids at baggage, SWA only has a few and they usually mark the flight number over the baggage thingie.
Frankly, I would opt to meet them by the gate area mentioned above.
If you get them to the airport in a timely fashion, there should be no worries about them getting on the plane.

 

[Tink42]

Thanks for the replies. My teens are not young - 17 & 15 - so I doubt they'll let us thru. I was thinking I would have my DD use her cell phone to call me when she gets to the gate to let me know they got their boarding paddles. I think meeting them at the tram entrance sounds like a plan and then the baggage carousel as a back up area. Thanks again for the replies.

 

[skeezixspud]

SW's rep. told the parent that unless the child was disabled, they would not allow a parental escort for anyone 12 or older, because that is the age when they no longer require the "unaccompanied minor" service. This woman was throwing the fit of the century because they would not let her escort her 13 yo son to the gate (the kid was obviously mortified, and just as obviously had been flying unaccompanied for years, he knew the whole drill.)

 

[Tink42]

Well my children are also used to flying (about 12-13 trips each) and this is my DD's 4th time without parents so I'm not all that worried. It's just leaving the airport without knowing whether there was any problem with them leaving (i.e. mechanical delays, weather delays, getting bumped). But I think if I have my cell phone and DD has her's she can keep me updated. I think though that there is a difference between being able to see your child to the gate (say a 13 yr. old) and safely on a direct flight and just watching them go thru security at the airport. A 13 year old doesn't need assistance if you have waited at the gate with them and someone is meeting them at the other gate. I think the need for assistance for minors will change with this new security. P.S. I promise I won't have a tantrum when they tell me we can't accompany them to the gate!!!