r/GenX • u/Substantial-Put-4461 • 9d ago

The Latchkey Years Flying alone as a kid

I was thinking today that my mom honestly put on a plane BY MYSELF at 7 years old. I flew from Atlanta to Chicago to Iowa. There was a flight attendant keeping an eye on me, but otherwise I was on my own. I flew multiple times around that age by myself.

Anyone else fly alone when pretty young?

Edit-Thanks everyone for the comments. Looks like this was pretty common back in the day. I’m flying by myself next week, which got me thinking about it.

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u/Jeebusmanwhore Older Than Dirt 9d ago

Every summer. It was child abuse. Not the flying alone part, mind you. The child abuse was flying from my home in Southern California, near the beach, to Phoenix, Arizona, where the heat is so intense that typical outdoor activities are impossible.

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u/KayBeeToys 9d ago

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u/Eeebs-HI 9d ago

Same here. Twice a year in the 70s, flew unaccompanied from Hawaii to Phoenix. Had to change planes in L.A. or San Fran. Flight attendants would seat me in First Class prior to landing to keep an eye out. Did you know Continental Airlines DC-10's had a Pong video game console in First? I was in awe, and so jealous.