Age for travel within Canada

[raven70]

Hi All, For those who have glanced at my posts you know I access my
young child in Ont from B.C about 6 times yearly. I accept the fact that
his home is in Ont, despite the difficulty of the situation.

My child was taken just weeks old in a unilateral decision and kept in Ont
without my conscent. I have receipts totaling 27k to this point for access
costs, I did receive support reductions because of the situation which helps
a bit.

My question is, what would be a reasonable age for me to bring back my
child to visit with me?, I am talking about being with him at all times including
the planes etc... and then returning him home.Currently I can have 10 days
at a time with overnights according to our court order. There is no language
saying I can or can not have him here in B.C for access.

any opinions please from neutral people?

Thank you, The Raven

[red6419]

can't see why you can't if the court order doesn't say otherwise. most access agreements dont limit travel in within Canada and you don't need permission from the other parent to travel within the country. smarter people then me will chime in here

[RAAAR]

Reasonably, if you'll be travelling with the child, I don't see why that can't happen from the time the child springs forth from the womb...

Just be prepared for some backlash from your ex. My advice would be to suck it up, don't turn it in to a war, and bend to her demands. (short of her saying no) She will eventually become accustomed to the arrangement.

Travelling is a very enriching experience, and your child is lucky enough to be able to do that.

[dinkyface]

Cons:
1) Expensive for you - You are thinking of flying out, then back with child, then flying out again with child, and back again alone? But perhaps you'd save on hotel money?

2) At least 1 of your 10 days will get eaten up with travel time ... but maybe that's not so bad from child's/bonding perspective, flying can be fun and it's intense 1 on 1 time.

Where do you visit now ... within mom's home? Or is your child already used to being away from mom for 10 days at a time? If the latter, then there's NO reason not to fly the child out. If the former, then perhaps being under 18-24mo might be sticky. But older than that, again no issue. This is based on personal experience with starting to travel for 9-15 days (flying) around age of 22-26 months... even given that overnights and weekends started at 17mo.

[raven70]

Air travel

Yes, I am planning on flying both ways with my child in addition to making
the drive to and from Toronto, about 5 hrs with him. The last portion of the
airplane travel, I would be alone,yes.

I just forsee that I would need some paperwork from my ex-partner or an
order from the court to take him on airplanes, I am just not sure on this
topic. Raven

[red6419]

nope no paperwork needed for in country travel except for required identification. UNLESS you have a court order that states otherwise.

[dinkyface]

Recommended is a passport and a consent letter. You are unlikely to be asked for the consent letter, but better to be safe.

Check with the airline directly. Under a certain age, picture id is not strictly necessary, probably only a birth certificate would do. Perhaps it is more likely they'll want to see a consent letter if you have only a birth certificate, but just guessing. Airline staff can be sloppy - last trip they didn't even LOOK at daughter's passport (and her last name is different from mine).

[raven70]

Accomidation/Costs

My child will be over three years of age when I am looking at having him
in B.C here with me. Currently on overnight access I stay in homes in the
community that are kind enough to have me , or hotels..

As far as expense, well, I spend 9k yearly to access my child with 35% being
offset in lower support amounts. Not perfect but I want my son to know he
has a father,

Raven

[wretchedotis]

I was taking planes back and forth between BC and Ontario on my own at 7 years of age. Of course, a flight attendendant was tasked with keeping an eye on me, and walked with me to get my bags and stuff. I'm sure they must still offer similar services.

But to answer your question. An accompanied child can travel at any age that you are comfortable with subjecting the child to. Be aware that infants don't always do well on planes as the pressure change can be painful for them.

If it was me, I would be ok with travelling with a kid say close to 3 years of age on a plane. Any younger and I would be concerned about upsetting other passangers.