info & help needed for an unacompanied minor traveling across the country!?
I'm 15 and am traveling from Indianapolis to Chicago and the final destination is Beijing, China by American Airlines. I am also fluent in English so I can communicate with the AA faculty. My sister is 22 and she is picking me up at the Beijing airport and she is fluent in chinese. My parents are not coming with me but they will put me on the unaccompanied minor plan. Also, AA changed my flight time so now i have a layover for like about 10-11 hours at the chicago O'hare airport . Any suggests on what to do there? When I get to Beijing does the faculty from AA still escort me or am I on my own? What DOes my sister need to do when she is picking me up from Beijing airport? I know this is a lot to ask but i am freaking out here!!
China - 3 Answers
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1 :
They should escort you to your sister, if they don't then you should ask them to. Tell them you need their assistance.
2 :
1. You can read about American Airlines unaccompanied minor service here: http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/specialAssistance/childrenTraveling.jsp This is the specific paragraph about your sister meeting you in Beijing: Procedures - Picking Children Up From The Airport "The adult designated to pick up the unaccompanied minor at the destination airport should plan to arrive at the arrival gate 20 minutes before the flight's scheduled arrival time. Because airport concourses are secured to ticketed passengers only, the designated person should allow additional time to obtain the required boarding pass from the airport ticket counter to clear and proceed through the security checkpoint. After verifying identification and forms at the gate, the American Airlines employee will release your child to the designated individual." O'Hare is quite a large airport with lots of shopping and restaurants. I'm not sure if you will be limited in some fashion due to your unaccompanied minor status. You may want to call American Airlines directly to ask them. You can reach their reservations and customer service at (800) 433-7300.
3 :
Your parents need to be doing the preparations for your trip. A valid passport and Chinese visa are needed. Travel alone is permitted for a minor, but an adult must meet you at Customs when you arrive in China. The Chinese authorities will not allow a 15-year-old to enter the country alone.
