Traveling with minors on domestic flights - need some advice

[Russ59]

Next month we'll be traveling interstate with our kids using a variety of carriers, namely Virgin, Qantas, Jetstar and Tiger. Does anyone know what identification we need to bring with us to the airport check in? None of them have passports or any form of photo ID. All their websites are a bit vague on this. Anyone flown with their own kids within Australia that can offer some advice?

Cheers,
Rusty John

[leon]

They don't need any identification as they are with their parents.
If going overseas, well that is another matter.

Just check in at the airport, or do it on line, and if you don't have any baggage to check in you can just walk straight to the departure gate.

Leon

[TrevorW]

Give them a shovel and a sand box they'll be amused for hrs

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Hi,

I'd ring Tiger at least and check it. On that Tiger Airways TV show I recall seeing trouble concerning a minor child without formal ID.

Cheers

[alocky (Andrew lockwood)]

Phenurgen, administered about 30 minutes before take-off :-)
We've flown domestic with our rat bags a couple of times and haven't needed any ID. International they need a passport which was a royal PITA to arrange.
Cheers,
Andrew.

[astroron (Ron)]

But Surely it would be a good idea to have some form of ID, in case of anything untoward happening to you or your family on the plane.
I have seen kids wearing just T-Shorts on a plane and clearly no sign of any ID such as a wallet in a pocket ect..
Cheers

[LewisM]

Valium... for everyone

You don't need ID for the kids, but it is always a good idea anyway if you can.

Tiger... good luck with that. May the force be with you! Been in aviation all my life... I'd almost rather go Greyhound than Tiger.

[Matt Wastell (Matt)]

You do not need to talk to anyone before domestic flights today - just turn up and check in via the kiosk things.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

Valium... for everyone

You don't need ID for the kids, but it is always a good idea anyway if you can.

Tiger... good luck with that. May the force be with you! Been in aviation all my life... I'd almost rather go Greyhound than Tiger.

Jetstar is as bad as Tiger.

[xstream (John)]

I beg to differ sorry, We're currently travelling with our grand children. Just make sure you're carrying copies of their Birth certificates and you will be fine as you can be challenged at the check in counter. I believe a Medicare card with their names on is also exceptible.

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Originally Posted by leon

They don't need any identification as they are with their parents.
If going overseas, well that is another matter.

Just check in at the airport, or do it on line, and if you don't have any baggage to check in you can just walk straight to the departure gate.

Leon

Correct Leon,

As a regular flyer I can reliable say that with all domestic carriers, if they are your own children and they are on your booking, there is no ID required.

For Tiger, I walked in and spoke to some check-in staff this morning after my shift and they cheerfully informed me that a Medicare card is a good idea to carry with you but you may not even be asked for it.

Originally Posted by Matt Wastell

You do not need to talk to anyone before domestic flights today - just turn up and check in via the kiosk things.

Correct Matt, I/we check-in online before we leave home, and walk straight to the gate (always fly domestic with carry-on)

Never had an issue with Jetstar or Tiger. Most people (not necessarily you Laurie) will form an opinion about an airline from social media, "a friend of a friend", or watch a TV show without first-hand experience. Just saying. I've read countless complaints and whinges through social media sites about "insensitive airlines" not holding aircraft, not letting them board etc. etc. because they were late/slept in/missed their taxi/ decided to change their flight, and they expect the entire company schedule to accommodate just for them.

Originally Posted by xstream

I beg to differ sorry, We're currently travelling with our grand children. Just make sure you're carrying copies of their Birth certificates and you will be fine as you can be challenged at the check in counter. I believe a Medicare card with their names on is also exceptible.

John, because they are your grandchildren there may be an additional requirement to provide ID.

Russ59 if you haven't already done so, join up at Australian Frequent Flyer. It is an invaluable resource. http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Jeez,

Very confusing all this. Especially with current webpages around

http://tsa.webjet.com.au/webjettsa/H...scription7.htm

http://www.aqtual.com.au/FA/hybrid/T...ecordQuestion=

Not all info is always correct eh? but for me, I'd turn up at the gate with something identifying the kids. Why not? Take a printout of their Facebook page

Cheers

[astroron (Ron)]

Stephenb, (Quote) but it depends on the age of the child. I'd be more worried about them being separated at the terminal or elsewhere.

That is One of the untoward happenings I was thinking about.
Cheers

[stephenb (Stephen)]

A Medicare card will be okay (which is a card nearly all of us carry in our wallets or purses). - as I've said I/we get out of the cab and walk straight to the gate (often via the Q lounge). A birth certificate shown at the gate carries no more weight on it's own in terms of verification than a m/c card or a print out of the booking.

And I wouldn't be traveling with such a valuable document as a birth cert. anyway. Leave that safe at home.

True, Ron. I take your point