Flying alone with siblings?

Question

If three ten-year-olds were flying alone with their seventeen-year-old sister, would they still have to have escorts and wear UM badges?

Answer 1

ok! i dont think that you will ned UM badges or an escort! I traveled with my brother who was 16 and my twin sister who 13, as was i, and we went through Dallas and Chicago twice which are very buisy airports and we did not need any escorts or UM badges while in the airport or on the planes. But however, a flight attendant was aware that we were minors flying alone but she only made sure we had found are seats and then left us alone! Have fun and don't forget to feed those kids!  

Answer 2

I'm an ex-Flight Attendant and while airline policies differ, I saw 17 year-olds with younger siblings, all flying as UM's. If only the 10 year olds fly as UM's, than the 17 year old risks being separated.

The older UM's I saw were usually flying between divorced parents. If this is your case, find out if she is required to fly this way. I also saw older UM's who, for example, didn't speak English and were making complicated connections.

The older girl would have to be very responsible to handle three 10 year olds but she is probably old enough to fly alone with them. Check with your airline.

Another consideration would be the flight. If this is a short, domestic hop of a couple of hours, than they could be separated or she could be in charge. If it's a long flight, with connections, international, or any of the above, than having them all fly together as UM's is a good idea. For international flights, the UM's get priority getting through customs and immigration, which means they would get through long before the 17 year old. No, she can't "tag along" if she isn't officially signed up as a UM herself.  

Some airlines only charge once per family or offer a discount for siblings flying together.

For the record, neither airline I worked for made UM's wear badges or anything around their necks. I've seen it with other companies but I'm sure they wouldn't force a 17 year old to wear it if it's not necessary. The idea is that if a smaller child got lost... But believe me, they don't lose UM's, even the ones who don't cooperate and try to ditch the escorts ;)

So the deciding factor is the flight and your individual airline's rules.

Good luck and hope it goes smoothly.