Expert: Roberto Gomes - 10/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: My daughter is travelling to Manchester, Eng to celebrate he 18th birthday with her friend.  She will turn 18 while in Manchester, but will she have issues at Manchester Customs since she will be under 18 at entry date?  She will be travelling unaccompanied to town about 1.5 hours from Manchester and will NOT be met at the airport.

ANSWER: Dear Kathleen,

I'll need to know her itinerary to answer this question.

R. Gomes

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Planning to leave mid November on a direct flight from Newark which arrives in Manchester around 7:30(a.m.).  Her departure will be at 9:00 a.m. direct from Manchester to Newark.  She will be in England for a week.

I have checked the web and seen that if she has documentation showing where she will be staying and all her contact numbers, that is sufficient.  But, she was over earlier in the year and when she got to customs, they had to call someone to make sure someone was meeting her at the airport.  I don't know if that was the standard or because she told them she had never been there before.
Thanks!

Answer
Dear Kathleen,

As far as the airline involved is concern (probably Continental) they consider 5-14 years of age. Special supervision can be requested for children aged 15-17 who are traveling alone.

As far as Customs is concern, they can ask again who will meet her and it is a good idea to have a "backup" person at the airport just in case and make sure that she has all the contacts. There is no regulation covering such matter, but in the end it is up to the official involved to decide to daughter enter or not.

Best Regards,
R. Gomes