Travelling abroad as a single parent

Tojo_Ralph

Mr_Wang wrote: »

Garbage.

And not just any garbage either, this is pure, unadulterated, fermented garbage.

For the benefit of mine and other readers education, perhaps you could detail what you base your feedback on?

I am not in the least bit familiar with Spanish law or airlines requirements in relation to Spanish citizens under 18, but is it not possible that the Spanish authorities and/or airlines might have laws/regulations that prevent a Spanish citizen (who I assume at 17 is a minor), from travelling on certain documentation if they do not have the prior written consent of their parents/legal guardian?

Spanish and French Children Under 18 Years
Children under 18 travelling without their parents/legal guardians and with an ID card must have a form of written authorisation to travel from their parents.
http://www.easyjet.com/EN/Planning/passportinfo.html

Spanish/French resident children under the age of 18 years who are travelling without their parents/legal guardians on a valid national identity card on flights between European Economic Area (EEA) countries must have a form (collected from their local police station) of written authorisation to travel from their parents. This form will need to be presented at the passport control.
http://www.ryanair.com/en/terms-and-conditions

aaroncaz

Surely if you book a package with a major firm like TC they would inform you if you needed this letter.... which they never do and TC photocopy all passports.

Mr_Wang

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

For the benefit of mine and other readers education, perhaps you could detail what you base your feedback on?

I am not in the least bit familiar with Spanish law or airlines requirements in relation to Spanish citizens under 18, but is it not possible that the Spanish authorities and/or airlines might have laws/regulations that prevent a Spanish citizen (who I assume at 17 is a minor), from travelling on certain documentation if they do not have the prior written consent of their parents/legal guardian?

Spanish and French Children Under 18 Years
Children under 18 travelling without their parents/legal guardians and with an ID card must have a form of written authorisation to travel from their parents.
http://www.easyjet.com/EN/Planning/passportinfo.html

Spanish/French resident children under the age of 18 years who are travelling without their parents/legal guardians on a valid national identity card on flights between European Economic Area (EEA) countries must have a form (collected from their local police station) of written authorisation to travel from their parents. This form will need to be presented at the passport control.
http://www.ryanair.com/en/terms-and-conditions

All you have quoted is airline policy of 2 particular airlines. (you'll be quoting Wikipedia next )

Below I quote the official FCO (government advice)

Entry Requirements - Unaccompanied minors Each airline has its own policy regarding unaccompanied minors and may require prior notification before arranging for them to travel. It is essential to consult your airline before travelling.

twinkle10

I completely agree with Jinux, why there should be a problem in case of single parent and authority. Single parent can travel anywhere except certain circumstances.

duchy

Surely it's the difference between what should happen and what can happen ?

An immigration officer anywhere in the world can decide they are not satisfied with your explanation of why you are travelling with a child who you cannot prove with paperwork in hand is a close relation (ie does not share your surname).
You hear often enough about NRPs taking kids abroad and not returning them -if there is any doubt surely the best thing is to err on the side of caution. Have at the very least the child's birth certificate with you-and if travelling with a child who is not yours paperwork to back up that you're not abducting them seems pretty reasonble to me.

duchy

aaroncaz wrote: »

Surely if you book a package with a major firm like TC they would inform you if you needed this letter.... which they never do and TC photocopy all passports.

The photocopying passports must be a new thing. Certainly didn't do it four years ago when I worked for them-and in these days of identity theft isn't something I'd agree to anyway. There's no need for it -a decent travel agent should be capable of checking documents without the need to copy them for someone else to check later.

duchy

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

For the benefit of mine and other readers education, perhaps you could detail what you base your feedback on?

I am not in the least bit familiar with Spanish law or airlines requirements in relation to Spanish citizens under 18, but is it not possible that the Spanish authorities and/or airlines might have laws/regulations that prevent a Spanish citizen (who I assume at 17 is a minor), from travelling on certain documentation if they do not have the prior written consent of their parents/legal guardian?

Spanish and French Children Under 18 Years
Children under 18 travelling without their parents/legal guardians and with an ID card must have a form of written authorisation to travel from their parents.
http://www.easyjet.com/EN/Planning/passportinfo.html

Spanish/French resident children under the age of 18 years who are travelling without their parents/legal guardians on a valid national identity card on flights between European Economic Area (EEA) countries must have a form (collected from their local police station) of written authorisation to travel from their parents. This form will need to be presented at the passport control.
http://www.ryanair.com/en/terms-and-conditions

Not awfully relevent as we don't have national ID cards here -people travel on passports -which are presumably treated differently.

thepenniescount

I flew into Munich at the end of December and was questioned on arrival at some length. I was with my husband and 4 children. My oldest son is not my husbands - he has a different surname. I was told in future I need to travel with a letter from his father and his birth certificate. I was told in Germany this is standard and thought no more of it. On landing back in the UK I had the same scenario. I explained the situation and said I was unaware of this "new thing", they said how do we know you have not gone to Germany and taken him from his father. My response was "ask him" he is 13. They did say I only need to travel with his birth certificate that a letter was not necessary. I did respond anyone can get a birth certificate. I was told not too push it and be on my way. So perhaps in future I will take it with me, saves a bit of time.

travelgran

Garbage or not Mr Wang - it happened.

Tojo_Ralph

Mr_Wang wrote: »

All you have quoted is airline policy of 2 particular airlines.

Correct .... As examples of why the child in question may have been denied boarding.
[QUOTE=Mr Wang;Below I quote the official FCO (government advice)
Entry Requirements - Unaccompanied minors Each airline has its own policy regarding unaccompanied minors and may require prior notification before arranging for them to travel. It is essential to consult your airline before travelling.
[/QUOTE]
Correct.... So we agree that the child in question may well have been denied boarding.

What you have failed to explain is why when the poster stated that the child in question travelling from Spain was denied boarding as they did not have written parental consent did you reply .... Quote .... "Garbage. And not just any garbage either, this is pure, unadulterated, fermented garbage".