Black Travel Online | Feature Article

Top 10 Safety Tips for Traveling With Children

Traveling with children, especially infants and toddlers, puts special demands on the adults responsible for their well being. Based on analyses of dozens of aviation incidents and accidents involving children, here are ten tips that can make the trip safer for the child.

1. Plan Ahead: Planning ahead is essential for an air trip of any length when children are involved. Ask yourself what supplies you will need to have on hand to take care of any normal or special needs for the child. Remember, it is the airline's responsibility to carry passengers to their destination, but it is the responsibility of the the parent or responsible adult to take care of any children.
   
2. Use a child restraint system for children under 40 pounds (18.1 kilos): The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration strongly recommends that children weighing less than 40 pounds be put into a child restraint system appropriate for their weight. Some restraint systems, such as a "belly belt" that attaches the child to an adult seat belt, are banned by the FAA. When deciding to use a child restraint system, you may have to deal with issues of safety, economics, and convenience. Here are some recommendations:
   ~ Find a way to conveniently carry an appropriate child restraint system through airports and into and out of aircraft.
   ~ If the child is over the age of two and less than 40 pounds (18.1 kilos), follow the FAA recommendations for using child restraint systems.
   ~ If the child is under two, bring along an appropriate child restraint system and arrange to sit next to an empty seat.
   
3. Prepare for possible emergencies: Make sure you are aware of emergency equipment or procedures that would apply to your child:
   ~ Pay attention to the standard preflight emergency briefing.
   ~ Ask a flight attendant if that particular aircraft has emergency equipment like life preservers specifically designed for small children.
   ~ If your child has a medical condition that may become an issue during the flight, make a flight attendant, counter agent, or gate agent aware of that possibility before the flight.
   
4. Take all essential items for the children in carry on luggage: Assume the worst, that the aircraft will have every seat filled, that the lavatories will not have changing tables, that the airline will not have any food suitable for your child, that you will be delayed for several hours during the trip, and that any checked luggage will be lost. Carrying all the child's essentials is especially important if your child is on a special diet or on medication.
   
5. Keep your children under control at all times: YOU and not the flight attendant are responsible for supervising your child at all times. No matter how tired you may get, your child is still your responsibility. You should also be careful when walking about the aircraft with your child so that they don't reach out and grab at cups of hot coffee, silverware, and other hazards.
   
6. Seat your child away from an aisle: Small children enjoy reaching out and exploring, but if they are on the aisle they could get hurt if their little arms get bumped by a person or serving cart passing down the aisle. Ideally, two responsible adults should sit on either side of the child. Also, one can seat the child on a row with a window on one side and a responsible adult on the other.
   
7. If emergency oxygen masks are ever deployed, put on your mask first: If the brain is starved of oxygen (hypoxia), one can get confused or pass out and be unable to help themselves or their child. By putting on their mask first, the parent or responsible adult will reduce their chance of falling victim to hypoxia and will be able to help their child.
   
8. Keep your child belted in or in a child restraint system at all times: Turbulence can happen at any time and without warning, so keep your child belted in as much as possible. If the child wants to get up and move around, let them do so only if the seat belt sign is off.
   
9. Bring along safe toys: Try to avoid bringing along toys that are sharp, heavy, or that break easily. If the child has an electronic game, only allow them to use it during the cruise portion of the flight. Electronic games may interfere with an aircraft's navigational system during other phases of the flight.
   
10. Take extra precautions for children traveling alone: The older child traveling alone needs extra protection as well:
    ~ Escort the child onto the aircraft and make sure the seat they are in does not have hazards like heavy carry on items in the overhead storage bin.
    ~ Inform the chief flight attendant that the child is traveling alone.
    ~ Arrange with the airline to make sure that the person meeting the child at the destination is properly identified.
    ~ Make it clear to the child that they should report any problems to a flight attendant. This could range from feeling sick to having a suspicious character seated next to them.
    ~ If the child has to change planes, make arrangements for the child to be escorted between gates. This may cost extra and is required for small children and is recommended for older children, especially those old enough to do it on their own but not mature enough to deal with potential problems or temptations at a busy airport.

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Black Travel Online | Feature Article

Children Flying Solo

Summer is a particularly difficult time to travel -- airports are mobbed, kids are out of school for the summer and going off to camps, visit relatives and friends. If you are allowing your children to fly alone, be sure to take every necessary precaution to ensure their safety. Millions of children fly alone each year, the majority without incident. However, parents should heed this warning: Be sure you and your child are prepared for the trip.

Unaccompanied Minors
Children between five and 12 who travel without a parent or guardian are known as "unaccompanied minors." Many airlines will not allow children who are under seven to make connections at all, but in the event a minor is old enough to change planes, they will probably be assisted by airline personnel; and a fee of $30-$60 will be charged. Some airlines, Southwest for example, will not allow any minor (5-12) to change planes. If you send an unaccompanied minor by plane, you will be required to fill out a form detailing the child's name, age, medical considerations and other relevant information. Upon arrival, children will be escorted from the aircraft by a Flight Attendant and released to the person named by you prior to departure. In addition, you will have to agree that the airline is not taking on any special responsibility of guardianship during the flight. Legally, an unaccompanied minor is treated in the same way as an adult passenger.

What It Will Cost You
Most major airlines will charge you $30-$60 each way for an escort fee. This may be required or optional, depending on the airline, and the age of the of the child. One thing is for certain: It is becoming increasingly expensive to send kids off on their own. In the past two months, two airlines, Northwest and Delta, have increased the fee for unaccompanied minors. You will now pay $60 each way on connecting flights on these airlines. This is double what you will pay on most others at present; but don't be surprised to see others match the increase.

Here are the fees charged for domestic flights on the major US Airlines:

General Age Guidelines:
Airline rules vary but this will give you a good idea of what to expect on domestic flights:

Children ages 1-4 may fly only when accompanied by a caretaker who is at least 12 years old. A child must be at least five to fly alone. Kids 5-8 can take a direct flight to a single destination but not connecting flights. Those over eight may change aircraft. If they're 8-11, they will be escorted by airline personnel to their connecting flight. A significant extra charge for this service is likely. Older kids — ages 12 through 15 — may not be routinely escorted, but you can request this assistance. Anyone under age 17 who is flying alone on an international flight must have a signed note from a parent or responsible adult giving permission, destination and length of stay.

Other Minor Details:
Although many airlines offer discounts for minors under normal circumstances, if your child is flying unaccompanied, it is practically a certainty that you will pay a full adult price for the ticket. The good news? The fee you pay for an escort covers an unlimited number of children traveling in the same party (except on Alaska Airlines). Hence, if you are sending your three children together, you pay only once. On international flights, the age restrictions are more stringent. Additional fees may apply if a flight is longer than six hours in duration.

Tips For Smooth Sailing

• Never wait until you have reached the airport to inform the airline that you have a minor traveling unaccompanied. Always provide this information to the reservationist over the phone, and have them inform you of all your options, all fees involves, and so forth.
  
• If you can help it, fly only nonstop, so that your child does not need to change planes. If a change of planes is necessary, use a small, less intimidating airport for the transfer, if possible.
• When you send your child, make sure that he/she is traveling with emergency information. For example, leave instructions on how to handle flight delays or cancellations, including emergency contacts and a means to pay for necessities, such as overnight accommodation.
• Familiarize your child with the plane ticket and have him/her keep it in a safe place. Upon departure, the child will need to retain the ticket for the return flight or as a receipt.
• Try to book a morning flight. If it is delayed or canceled, you have the > rest of the day to make alternate plans.
• Small children may have trouble with checked baggage. If it can be avoided, don't send them with excess luggage. If not, when checking luggage, make sure to check the stubs yourself, to be sure that the luggage claim ticket and luggage tag match your child's final destination.
• Get to the airport early to ease check-in and get children accustomed to their surroundings. Show them where help desks are located, and get them to recognize uniformed employees.
• Give them a picture of the person meeting them -- with the full name, address and phone number written on the back. You will need to provide this information to the airline as well.
• Pack some snacks for the child: juice boxes, chips, sandwiches, trail mix or other finger foods like grapes or berries.
• Give your child a little cash to cover incidental expenses and phone calls in the event of an emergency.
• In addition to being sure your child knows how to place a collect call, you may want to give him/her a calling card before she travels, as well as a list of numbers to call if necessary.
• Ask if you can board the plane with your child. This will show him/her that there is nothing to fear, and allow you to give them a quick tour of the plane (locations of bathrooms, seat controls, etc.)
• Just because a 5-year-old is permitted to fly solo, does not mean that your child will be able to handle flying alone, especially if it involves a connection and/or a child that hasn't flown before. Parents should use common sense and make a decision based on if they feel the child is mature enough to handle it.

Find Out More:
For more information, the Department of Transportation, with the National Child Safety Council, offers a free brochure, "Kids and Teens in Flight." Contact the Office of Consumer Affair, Department of Transportation, 400 7th St. S.W., Washington D.C., 20590

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