View Full Version : 17 year old travelling without family
jillizzy
23-06-2006, 01:11
We are travelling to MCO again in three weeks time.
However, my son who is 17 is travelling the day before us, along with his 21 year old girlfriend (yes that's 21 and not a typing error).
Does anyone know if he will need permission from us to enter the USA or will he be OK as he is travelling with someone who is 21.
Unfortunately,I hadn't really thought of it before now as I think of him as an adult but realise that in the eyes of law he is not.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Jill
My son has flown on his own 4 times, he was only just 17 the first time he flew on his own - and he has not needed permission. And your son has a 21 year old with him so she is an adult, so I don't think there should not be a problem.
If you are worried then check with the airline.
My son loved exploring JFK and Washington airports!
This has started to make me think as my daughter who is 17 is travelling on her own to Australia in August as her boyfriend has emigrated there. I have informed the airline of this situation and they have not said that I have to do anything. She is also flying out to Florida next Easter on her own to meet us, though she will be 18 then. Again, Charter Travel who have booked our flights, have not said that we need to do anything, so I think your son will be okay.
chrizzy100
23-06-2006, 05:20
Remember AGE OF CONSENT in FL is 18..so she is not his girlfriend...just a friend...
flyrr100
23-06-2006, 05:25
That's true. If they are caught, er, doing stuff, SHE will go to jail. And SHE will be charged with rape of a minor.
ShirleyD
23-06-2006, 15:05
My son has travelled on his own from age 17 with no problems. Make sure they know how to fill in the custom and immigration forms. http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_14753.asp http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_14977.asp may help
gail and david roberts
23-06-2006, 16:48
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrizzy100
Remember AGE OF CONSENT in FL is 18..so she is not his girlfriend...just a friend...
[/quote]
didnt Know that Guys [msneek]
Its a bit more complicated than that ..
A person 24 years of age or older who engages in sexual activity with a person 16 or 17 years of age commits a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083,
BUT
The age of sexual consent is 16 for adults who are under 24 years of age,
or if the adult that is 24 years of age or older is married to the minor.
chrizzy100
23-06-2006, 17:32
It should not be a problem..but you never know ..so its worth knowing..
McjohnjM
23-06-2006, 19:49
Hi Jill,
The only thing I would say is make sure he knows how to fill in an immigration form and the address of the place he will be staying at. My daughter travelled to relatives last year when she was 17 and I forgot about the immigration form and she only had he address she was staying at on her case, I can tell you the customs officials were not friendly towards her at all regardless of her age, luckly she did have a telephone number on her which they eventually phones but at first they were just planning on putting her rights back on the plane home.
Hope all goes well for him and his girlfriend
Kim Mc
jillizzy
23-06-2006, 22:44
Thanks everyone.
I picked up some spare immigration forms when I travelled last week and have filled them in for them to sign.
As for the 'other conduct' - definitely won't be allowed, at least not in public;)
Jill
just wondered what would happen if they were booked in other accommodation together rather than a villa?
J
Daybreak
27-06-2006, 18:03
Hi
My son will be 16 when he flies out this summer and his friend will be 17
We will already be in Florida
I contacted the airline to check and they said this wasn't a problem and there wasn't anything i needed to do
Dawn
jillizzy
05-08-2006, 00:41
Just to update you on the subject.
When my son arrived at the immigration hall he was told there was a problem and asked to sit and wait to be interviewed.
He was asked where he was staying, who with and for how long and was then told that as far as the USA was concerned, he wasn't emancipated and couldn't stay. I am very proud to say that he kept his cool and went on to explain that his 'friend' was 21 and they then interviewed her to make sure he was telling the truth.
He was eventually allowed in but I presume they checked against our name to make sure that the villa was owned by his family which probably helped.
He said he wasn't frightened but then again what 17 year old would admit that?
Gave us something to laugh about when we arrived but he said he will wait until he is 18 to go again - just glad I didn't know at the time.
Jill
Daybreak
07-08-2006, 16:54
Hi
Just returned yesterday, our son travelled back with us but on the way out with his friend, both 16, they had no problems and were just sat waiting to be picked up when we arrived.
jillizzy
07-08-2006, 17:25
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Daybreak
Hi
Just returned yesterday, our son travelled back with us but on the way out with his friend, both 16, they had no problems and were just sat waiting to be picked up when we arrived
Dawn
[/quote]
Just goes to show that there is no hard and fast law and that it really depends on the immigration officer you encounter. I certainly didn't want to frighten anybody but thought it best to make everyone aware of what CAN happen.
Jill
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by joyce roberts
just wondered what would happen if they were booked in other accommodation together rather than a villa?
J
[/quote]
Just because they have a room together don't mean they will do anything ;)
I get in my car every morning but it don't mean I will speed. :D
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by T2M
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by joyce roberts
just wondered what would happen if they were booked in other accommodation together rather than a villa?
J
[/quote]
Just because they have a room together don't mean they will do anything ;)
I get in my car every morning but it don't mean I will speed. :D
[/quote]
You might if you were 17 though! Speed, that is :)
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Sniff
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by T2M
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by joyce roberts
just wondered what would happen if they were booked in other accommodation together rather than a villa?
J
[/quote]
Just because they have a room together don't mean they will do anything ;)
I get in my car every morning but it don't mean I will speed. :D
[/quote]
You might if you were 17 though! Speed, that is :)
[/quote]
Thinking back to when I was 17 (i Know its many moons ago :)) I would be doing both but not at the same time [:P]
Jill - glad it worked out ok for your son but I am sure it must have given him a few anxious moments!
As for the comments on being 17 - well we didn't do things like that -- did we??? Certainly not if our teenage kids are asking![laugh]
J
The thing is they do ask Joyce, Mine has just got herself a motor bike, I will be worried every time she goes out.
jillizzy
09-08-2006, 14:17
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by joyce roberts
Jill - glad it worked out ok for your son but I am sure it must have given him a few anxious moments!
As for the comments on being 17 - well we didn't do things like that -- did we??? Certainly not if our teenage kids are asking![laugh]
J
[/quote]
Joyce thank you for your kind thoughts and obviously we never did such things before or now[:I]
Jill