Persuade my parents to let me fly alone?

Question

Yeah well the title is pretty self explanitory...You see I want to travel alone to Boston (I live in Bangkok) because that's where my girlfriend lives. I really want to see her again and I'm planning to go sometime in December, right after first semester of school (I'm 15 by the way). I'm not sure how I can persuade my parents to let me fly that far alone, can anybody help me? By the way I'm going to try my best to get honor roll because maybe that'll help persuade my parents a little, just thought you should know that...

Answer 1

Set up a like plan that you would follow, and talk about it with her. Make sure to give your parents the good reasons like that there will be an adult there to be with you (make sure your girl friends parents are there or something) and also perhaps pay for some of the trip or do housework or yard work to help them decide. Also, tell them that you will call them or something.

If they're worried about airplanes, then say that there are 60,000 car accidents in the united states alone every day and almost no plane accidents. It's safe.

Maybe some of that will work?

Answer 2

Well I was all ready to give you some ideas until I saw that you are actually travelling to a different country.  I think any parent would worry if their 15 year old went by plane by themself, but if it was not so far as what you are planning, they might say yes.  Having travelled all over, just going through customs can be intimidating.  I wouldn't want to recommend someone at your age do that alone.

Answer 3

Airlines usually have an unaccompanied minors policy - check out the airline's website for info on that.

Lots of my friends have done this as we're all expats who live in Asia and their children sometimes have to fly alone to visit family or because they go to boarding school back home etc.  

Usually what happens is that you are met at the airport by a chaperone and they look after you through immigration and departure lounge and all that.  If you have to change planes, which I guess you will if you are going to Boston from Bangkok, then they chaperone you through that too.  

One of my friends said that they usually sit any unaccompanied kids together so that they can keep an eye on them.  

But you would no doubt have to have someone meeting you at the other end or they won't let you wander out of the arrival airport on your own.

So if you figure out which airline you'd fly on and check their website, that would probably be the first thing to do.

I've known kids as young as 10 fly like this.  At 15 I think I'd be happy for mine to do it.

(oh, and lastly, you might like to check out what would happen if a connection was delayed or cancelled.  Where would they put you up or get you to wait etc).

Answer 4

Well since you already have the honor roll thing covered maybe you should tell them you're are wiling to maybe have no allowance until January when you come back. Or act more responsible in the house and maybe even get a job to raise money for your ticket. If that doesn't work tell them that now you're 15 and maybe this would show responsibility to go that far alone without them. Maybe a family member could even take you maybe that would help.

Answer 5

flying alone isnt that bad. tell them that you can get a flight attendant to help you get to the airplane terminal that you need to be at. they do that on southwest i know. also, tell them that you are mature enough and dont have to drive but can catch a taxi and will always have your cellphone and their emergency numbers with you. hope i helped!!! :)

Answer 6

Speaking as a parent, I would not let either of my kids fly that far alone at 15 and there would be nothing they could do or say to change my mind.

Have you ever traveled alone?

Have your flown International ever?

Where would you stay?

Who is paying for the trip?

How much does it cost?

In the 1970's at age 15 I flew from Singapore to the U.S. by myself but it was a different time and I was moving back to the U.S. while my parent's were staying in Singapore.

Even though I had flown International many times before with my family it was not easy making plane changes and getting through customs on my own.

Edit: As for having an airline attendant "chaparone" you through the process..... I don't think so. Check with the airline you would be flying and I bet there is a cut-off age plus many airlines are way understaffed here in the U.S.

Also, planes in the U.S. are never on time so you have to make a plan for when you miss your connecting flight.

Answer 7

You're going to need her parents to buy in.  If they want to come over for a few days, and they are willing to take responsibility for you while you are there.... I expect your parents would seriously consider letting you go.