16 year old travelling alone

**jovi** · 31-01-2007, 13:13

My son, who will be 16 in April,will be travelling out to us in July( long story!!) Anyway, does he need to fill anything in on the plane? I know we have needed to before (2 years ago) Is it an adult only thing or, because he is travelling alone, will he need to fill anything in? I also wanted to ask about when he gets off the plane, does he just follow the crowds? Or should I mention to the airline staff that he has never done this before alone?
Or am I just being an overprotective mother[msnembarrased]

**LiesaAnna** · 31-01-2007, 13:56

i dont think your an over protective mum Vicky, i dont have the answers sorry but i would be asking just like you if i did it to

**blott** · 31-01-2007, 13:57

Yes, he'll need to fill in the green visa waiver form and the white/blue Customs form.

If you have a search on the forum, you'll find a sample of both and can put the answers onto a piece of paper for him so he fills them in correctly.

When he gets of the plane (if it's a direct flight into Orlando International) he'll first go through Immigration with his green visa waiver form and then collect his bag from the carousel. Then he'll go through Customs and hand in his Customs form. After Customs, he puts his bag back into a collection area and makes his way to the monorail.

After the short journey on the monorail, he'll go on the escalator down one floor to Baggage Reclaim where he'll retrieve his bag again from the carousel.

If you're picking him up and have a mobile phone, park your car in the free cell phone area on the way to the terminals. Get him to ring you when he's got his bag the second time on a public phone or his UK mobile to your mobile phone and you'll only be a couple of minutes before you pick him up. Note that there's no leaving the car in the arrivals road lane though so he has to be on the pavement outside looking out for you.

If you want to go inside the terminal to meet him, you can use the short term car park at the terminal which is something like $4 for 1.5 hours. You can meet him off the monorail and go with him to the second baggage reclaim area.

I think if you write everything down for him and he follows the signs, he can't really go wrong. Flying alone in itself will be a great growing up experience for him and he'll probably get someone on the plane sitting near chatting to him who perhaps can show him the 'ropes' if he's unsure. I'm certain he'll be fine!

**tezz7628** · 31-01-2007, 14:10

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott

If you're picking him up and have a mobile phone, park your car in the <span style="color:red">free cell phone area </span id="red"> on the way to the terminals.
[/quote]

what's this please blott ?

**blott** · 31-01-2007, 14:15

I think it's new Tezz but we used it a few weeks ago when picking someone up from MCO. Watch out for the signs to it on the way to the terminals - it's near the red parking area and on the right and called... wait for it... Cell Phone Parking!

You park your car for free and clutch your mobile/cell phone and wait for your arrival to ring you. You can listen to airport info on your car radio, wander around the car park and also spot planes in the meantime. As soon as your arrival person rings you, you can leave the cell phone parking area and be at Arrivals in either terminal within a few minutes to pick them up.

Wish they did that at Manchester!

**spg** · 31-01-2007, 14:24

Vicky, if you want to actually fill in the green visa form before he goes so at least that part is done, I have a spare one which I got extra on our last trip November, I could pop it in the post for you and no I don't think you are being overprotective, just being organised and want things to run smoothly

**jovi** · 31-01-2007, 19:34

Thanks everyone[clap]
Sharon, you have a dm[msnsmile]
My brother is visitig the U.S next month, would he be able to bring me an extra customs form? So along with the green form that Susan is offering can be filled in before my son goes?

**spg** · 31-01-2007, 19:58

Hi Vicki

Sent you a dm.

Kind regards

**ShirleyD** · 31-01-2007, 20:43

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_14753.asp

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_14977.asp

These are two links to show the customes and immigration forms and how to complete them. I always fill these in for my kids, but I work at the airport and get them in advance. Why not print them off for him, so he knows what to do (UK not England/scotland etc) or I can get some and send them to you if you like.

I'm sure he won't allow anyone to escort him, but he really can't get lost, so don't worry. Get him to text you once he is at the gate or on the plane, then you will be able to relax a bit!! I seem to remember being told not to switch on phones until after immigration when we arrived in Orlando last time