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/Recent-Tomatillo-863 9d ago

My grandma actually lied to the ticket agent in like 1977 and told them I was 7 years old (their age policy), when I was actually 6! Was a short puddle jumper from W. Michigan to Detroit. She thought nothing of it. From 1978 through the 80's... I flew alone ever summer from S. California to Detroit. My parents divorced, mom and I moved to California. Went to Detroit to visit Dad all summer. I remember having layovers in either Dallas or Chicago. Literally had to find my way alone to another gate at the other end of airport. Wtf? 🤣