We have flown each SD to visit MIL in Texas as an unaccompanied minor. SD15 is old enough to go on the flights by herself but we have her call us right when she gets to the airport. SD13 has flown there with a flight attendant (whom DH and I meet quickly before the plane leaves).

You should talk to your lawyer or a lawyer at your local base and tell them what's going on and ask for their advice.

SD14 and SS12 fly out to see their aunt and grandma. We don't have any issues with BM because she is not in the picture to have a say. If BM is being stubborn about not letting skids come out to visit you guys then you will have to take it to your lawyer. Maybe at the end someone will have to fly out and get skids and fly back out with them. It will be more pricier but that is the only way that maybe BM can not say no to.

CP

Well, I can tell you first hand that the Court will uphold unaccompinied minor travel. I fought this myself. My son was 7 and my x lived in CO, us in GA. He wanted him to fly from here to Atlanta, two hour lay over. From there to Dallas, three hour layover, and onto CO. I was not happy. Didn't want to let him go. My attorney told me pretty quick to freaking bad, I better let him go or it will be withholding visitation.

I still don't like it and he's 14 now! But I never had him scared of it, I always told him how much fun it would be, etc. I bought him a whistle to hang around his neck and instructed him to blow like hell if he was scared of another person in any way. He never blew it......he's such a people kind of person (this is the main reason I was terrified).

Come to find out, the kids get tags they have to hang around their neck. You get them on the plane. The flight attendant has them sit up front so they can keep a eye on them. They escort them from gate to gate, if it's a layover they escort them into a private, secure holding room where they have all kinds of snacks, PS2's, etc. My son LOVED layovers! LOL!

I understand BM not being fond of it......but in the end it may be the only way the children get to see their dad. She's going to have to give on this one, and I know it from experience.

We did it for many years and never had any problem. But the airline required direct flights, which may have helped. I think you have to pay an additional $40-50 on each end, to cover the extra work for the flight attendants. She was never left alone for one minute.

But at least we got to see SD, without WWIII.

SD was very proud to do this 'on her own', and I have to say she is a very independent young lady in things like this. It will be ok, but I would just try to get direct flights - order way in advance if you have to.
_________________________________________________________
May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing

Ummmmmmmmmm ...... it is not BMs choice. My SS has flown 3x per year for visitation since before he turned 2yo. He is now 17.

When he turned 5yo he started flying as an unaccompanied minor. The service costs (or used to) ~$50-$60 one way. Each party would pay the airfare and unaccompanied minor fee to get the kid to them. We never had a problem with it. Once he even got stuck in Chicago during a snow storm. He had the time of his life. They had a Kid Lounge that all of the visitation travel kids were put in to under adult supervision including licensed child care providers and armed police officers. Once a kid got dropped off they called their parents and the child care providers updated the parents and described the facility and the security (once a kid was checked in they could not leave until a airline rep (with several forms of ID) checked then out. The kids had to call every 4hrs to update the parents. The kids played video games or grab ass all night, pizza and other junk food was delivered frequently and the kid was absolutely whiped out when he got home a day and a half late. He had a blast and still talks about it ~7yrs later.

My wife had the same problem your SKids BM is having when our Son (my SS) reached the age he could fly unaccompanied. Until then a SpermClan representative would come pick him up. Usually one of my Wife's family members would agree to fly to get the kid and escort him back to SpermLand. They would usually visit us for a week or two then take the kid to SpermLand then another of my Wife's family members would bring the kid home to us and visit for a while. My wife went many times either to deliver him or pick him up and would visit her family.

BioDad nor either of the SpermGrandParents ever came to get the kid. If anyone from the SpermClan came it was usually a GreatGrandFather or BioDad's Sister's Husband's Mother. BioDad does not like to fly. IDIOT!

My wife balked at letting him fly unaccompanied until I put my foot down and insisted. We have never had a problem until SS became to old to fly unaccompanied (when they turn 15 most airlines will not let them fly under the unaccompanied minor program) and slept through a couple of layovers and missed flights.

Since BM is being a dipshit about this I would get an attorney and smack her ass around in court over it immediately. The longer you let her dick around with this the more control you give her.

Your DH should see his kids exactly on the visitation schedule whether BM has issues with them flying or not.

Just my thoughts of course.

Best regards,

Success is rarely final. Failure is rarely fatal. It is character, courage and consistency of effort that count. Vince Lombardi (with some minor Rags modifications) To each according to their performance, screw Karl Marx. (Rags)