Tips for Children Flying Alione

Some little kids fly alone frequently and actually enjoy the experience. But the first time in an airplane for any little child can be frightening, and even more so when there's no familiar family member around for reassurance and comfort. I can't advise that families never send any young kids on flights by themselves, because there are many circumstances when there's no other choice.

Airline and various internet resources about how to handle the situation.Despite the normal worries, parents can be assured that every airline has well-monitored child travel procedures and qualified employees who will do their best to ensure the protection and safety of flying-alone kids.However, even the most caring stranger is still a stranger to a fearful child flying alone. Airport employees and in-flight attendants can't stay with the child every minute of the ordeal. Even just a few moments feeling abandoned in a strange, noisy and frightening situation can cause a child to panic. Parents should think and plan ahead and prepare their child for that flight.

Here are a few tips to make the trip less traumatic for the lonesome little air traveler and for his/her anxious stay-at-home parents:

1. For at least four or five days before the flight, set up a game with your child to play act all the expected portions of the trip. Try to create the feeling of fun and adventure, and rehearse all the expected tasks. Have your child practice pulling the wheeled bag (if possible, do not check luggage), reporting to the desk agent, boarding the aircraft, finding the correct seat and dealing with the flight itself.When leaving the aircraft after the flight, the child will immediately be guided by a flight attendant to meet the designated adult, or airline employee assigned to take care of the child until help arrives. Your child should know that, at all times, airport employees are nearby to respond immediately to any questions or problems, and the child's concern has priority over all other passengers, even those in long lines.2. The child passenger should also take along a small cloth or leather bag that isn't required to be put in the overhead space above the seats. The bag can contain packaged snacks, books, toys and other convenient items. Hand-held little electronic game players can help pass away the time. Some parents provide small, battery-operated dvd players, along with a supply of entertaining DVD movies and video games. Most airlines will lend toys, games and books.3. Be absolutely certain your flying-alone child is well-indoctrinated about personal safety at all times. Your child must know never go anywhere with strangers or unauthorized passengers before or after the flight, and must stay with uniformed airport or in-flight employees until released to an designated adult. That adult picking up the child must prove by proper identity that he/she has the authority to take over care of the child after the flight.

4. A flying-alone child should have proper identification papers and name tags at all times. Additionally, the child should have a sufficient amount of cash handy to pay for on-board or airport retail store food, drinks, pay station phone calls and other possible necessities. If the child needs medication or any other special attention, airport and in-air employees should be informed in advance so they can take care of the child at the proper times.5. As with other passengers, the travel-alone child should obey all flight attendant instructions about seatbelts, toilet use, aisle wandering, and use of radios and cell phones during flight. The child should also be informed about proper behavior, taking care of his/her possessions, as well as common rules of courtesy and consideration for other passengers.

If your practice sessions and careful training give the child confidence and anticipation about the upcoming flight, it should be more of an enjoyable adventure than a frightening ordeal.