US to Jersey via Amsterdam - solo teen traveler

Flybe has been around since 1979. (The 'be' part of the name preserves its previous name of 'British European' and befoe that it was Jersey European.) It is basically a low-cost style these days unless you buy the more expensive tickets.

He will go through British immigration in Southampton and will need all details of his summer program in Jersey and be sure that he has appropriate visa status in place as required for whatever it is (as you don't say, can't even try to discuss this).

As he is a child, he will also need to have proper documentation as to who will be responsible for his welfare whilst in Jersey.

what you should worry about is the risk of these separate flights failing to arrive on time

I'd be absolutely livid if someone booked this for me and I was stranded in Amsterdam and missed the flight to Jersey. Some people arrive in Amsterdam and never leave.

When my daughter was a teenager and traveled alone, I made sure she had a credit card in her name so she could book a flight at any time, need be, or get a hotel room. Know the schedule of Flybe for later in the day, if any, or the next day. If there is any other airline from that point to Jersey, make sure he has that information as well. Otherwise, it is a good exercise in a non-dangerous situation for him to learn how to take care of himself and get himself to where he needs to be. There seems to be plenty of time between the two airlines. Not so much between the Flybe, but if he doesn't make it, Flybe should get him on the next flight and/or organize it for him. This will likely work out fine.

Sending my daughter to Europe, into to Paris and out of Rome, leaving it up to her to get between the two was one of the hardest things I did as a parent. However, it was one of the most beneficial things that I did for her. So good luck Mom. Take deep breaths. He will be fine. And in your case, he's just in airports. He will learn to figure things out if he needs to do so.

A learning experience for him, certainly. I would have preferred to put him on a non-stop to London Heathrow, from there a train or Nat. express bus to Southampton, and then a flight to Jersey. But then he's your son, not mine.

Thanks to all for these quick replies. To be clear, I didn't actually book a separate leg just to make it challenging for my kid. But the other options seemed less desirable (such as requiring that he switch from the Heathrow to the Gatwick airports, or spend an overnight in Manchester). I do wish I'd thought to explore the bus option.

I appreciate the suggestion that I send along clear documentation of parental permission, flight times, and all his summer program info and contacts in Jersey. It is only a two-week program, so no visa concerns, I believe.

Wray, I really appreciate your comment--we will definitely be sending along a credit card and info on alternative flight options from AMS to JER (there are several). My first instinct as a parent is to hover, but my next is to empower and enable, especially for this particular outgoing and sensible kid. I didn't have opportunities to travel much as a teenager or young adult, and didn't develop much of a sense of adventure or competence until quite a bit later in life--and even so, I'm obviously still a worrier. My hope is that this kind of adventure is what will nudge my son in another direction!

With 4 nonstops a day MSP/AMS you could have put him on a later flight with a shorter layover.

To simplify things you could consider carry on only (he's only 16), then he won't have to deal with immigration (twice) or security (once) in AMS. There's an enormous shopping area inside AMS to occupy his time, and also there's plenty of seating everywhere at the gates. I wonder if you can gate-check the bag in AMS if it is prepaid?

Frankly would not trust any of my children at 16 to do this-- it's quite complex. I sent a 16 year old to Kansas City by himself and he almost missed the flight because the Burger King @MSP did his order wrong and he waited for them to redo it.

Also you can get permission to accompany your son to the gate even though you are not flying. And I assume you know that the level of English comprehension in Amsterdam is almost 100%.

Leslie,

Blockquote I didn't have opportunities to travel much as a teenager or young adult, and didn't develop much of a sense of adventure or competence until quite a bit later in life--and even so, I'm obviously still a worrier. My hope is that this kind of adventure is what will nudge my son in another direction!

My reasons, exactly. It worked! (But, we never stop worrying.) Wray

A mature, confident 16year old can do this. So many parents treat even 20somethings as small children and it's really not helpful for the majority of young adults. I've dealt with 22 year olds who can't make their own doctor appointments. So kudos to you for trusting your son while trying to help make it easier. I hope my elementary age kids get this kind of opportunity when it's time.

I have no specific advice here. I support carry on only, because it saves him a step and a worry if the bag is delayed.

I would make sure he has his papers/schedule for what he's doing and when he's leaving - a young guy entering alone may raise a red flag but it will help if he can show he's in a specific program with a return ticket home in a few weeks. In general passport checks are easy, just get off the plane and walk the prescribed route out, which ends at the immigration booth. Follow instructions and signs. Luckily there will be almost no language barrier, he can ask for help if needed.

Also minors are not allowed into many countries alone without proper permission. I don't know what this entails, but Id think it would very important to get all permissions in order, legally speaking.

As far as trouble in Amsterdam (falling asleep and missing the flight, joining the circus), there is nothing you can do besides talk to him about the importance of being at the gate on time, setting alarms, and trusting him to be smart. Worst realistic case is that he misses the flight of his own mistake and has to find another way there. Think of how you'd want to handle that so you are prepared to help.

In 1971 at 21 I went solo to Europe for twelve weeks, mostly in Germany, at 16 was definitely not prepared nor was I at 18. Your son's program is in Jersey. One learns on the way, unless he has an emotional meltdown right away being in a foreign place, alone, no friends, strange environment...if any of these factors matter to him.