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Viewing A Child's First Solo Flight: Horrible Disaster or Success?A Child's First Solo Flight: Horrible Disaster or Success?
By Wantotravel
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When faced with the question, "Should I allow my child to fly solo?" parents are usually very apprehensive and have a lot of questions that need answers before they can make a decision. Here are some tips to make the experience more enjoyable. There are many reasons that would require a child to travel long distances. Perhaps parents have divorced and one parent is sending the child to the other parent; or to relatives, back and forth across the country. Children flying solo require supervision by the airline flight attendants from the moment they are seated on the aircraft to the arrival at their destination. The supervision is maintained until the proper person has taken custody. Airlines have been providing this service to parents for several years and the amount of children flying solo has steadily increased. Usually, the company will charge a very reasonable fee for the supervision of children. The child's safety and security is the crew's responsibility and the airlines take that responsibility very seriously. If you are considering sending your child on their first solo air flight, here are some helpful suggestions to make the experience more enjoyable. One suggestion is for parents to schedule an advance aircraft flight with the child. The younger the child, the more a parent should explain what is happening. Because the child has experienced aircraft flight, the child will be less apprehensive to fly solo. The fear of flying will be replaced with the excitement of looking out the windows, enjoying the food, snacks, and movies or music. When the child feels safe and secure, the child can relax and enjoy the flight. Another suggestion is to visit the airlines and airports ahead of time. Explain to the child just what to expect once they are seated in the aircraft until they arrive at their destination and turned over to the person responsible for picking them up at the airport. Make sure the child knows the name of the parent or person picking them up and show them a picture of that person. Be sure to tell the child not to leave the airport with anyone else. The airline company will also have the same information and will ensure that the right individual has signing responsibility for and has picked up the child. Discuss with the child that talking to strangers on the aircraft is not something they should do. Explain that they can be polite, but their names and information about them should not be discussed. Have the airline seat the child near their work stations for easy communication issues for them. Purchase a movie for the child to watch and have them wear a headset. This will keep the child from becoming bored during the flight. The airline attendants will be checking constantly on the child's wellbeing. When the child needs to go to the restroom, an attendant will accompany the child to the door and make sure it is locked. Once the child is finished, the attendant will make sure the child is reseated. Another suggestion to keep a child from boredom during the flight is to have them take coloring books and crayons, or a good book to read. Always check with the airline about which items are allowed in the seat while flying. Many airlines have several activities that a child can do while flying. About the Author: The cost varies, but generally there are lots of cheap airfares available for flying children solo. The cost, of course, depends on the airline and the distance being flown. Article source: 111 Travel Directory: Triple1.com (triple one dot com) |
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