Back in the day, a minor as young as eight-years-old could ride Amtrak unaccompanied. Since November 1, however, the company has required that unaccompanied minors be at least 13 years old. In today’s Wall Street Journal, Lenore Skenazy takes issue with the new regulation:

In Japan there is a special fare for unaccompanied minors under age six. The Japanese believe their kids can function independently. But over here, even when Amtrak does allow minors to travel on their own, look at the rules it imposes: 13 to 15 year olds must wear a special wrist band identifying them as youngsters. They cannot travel after 9:05 p.m. They cannot get off at an unmanned station. An adult must be at both ends to sign them in and drop them off.

Alexander Hamilton came to this country — unaccompanied — when he was 15. And grannie wasn’t waiting for him at the dock.