Children flying alone -
Sep 4th, 2005, 04:52 PM
#42
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I think it's time to put this issue to rest for now. For those parent's who replied and had their own children fly alone with no problems -- I am glad for the children's sake that nothing happened. I applaud US Airways change in policy regarding attended minors.
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and comments. While I might not share your opinion -- I think this issue needs discussion and for those of you who are seasoned travellers -- thanks for looking out for those young-ins. Miss_Maple
Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and comments. While I might not share your opinion -- I think this issue needs discussion and for those of you who are seasoned travellers -- thanks for looking out for those young-ins. Miss_Maple
Sep 4th, 2005, 06:07 PM
#43
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Miss Maple-
Just a heads up-- we flew thru Cincinnati yesterday and there was an unaccompanied minor that was tranferred to our final flight...
He was brought to the gate by a Delta rep and left with the Delta reps at the gate-- a fairly precocious hyper 8 yr old boy who was really hysterically cute--the Delta agents put him on a seat NEXT to them and did NOT allow him into the general population..If he needed the men's room, someone took him there...
After he boarded the plane, he would NOT stay in his assigned seat...and proceeded to change it to sit near a new found child friend....the stewardess was taking it all in stride and was a great sport about it...I would have hit the eject button by now, but these ladies are used to this..and the kid was fine for the entire flight...
When he landed at the final destination , a Delta agent again met the plane and took the kid to his parents...
NO problem--the airline looked out very well for this child...
Just a heads up-- we flew thru Cincinnati yesterday and there was an unaccompanied minor that was tranferred to our final flight...
He was brought to the gate by a Delta rep and left with the Delta reps at the gate-- a fairly precocious hyper 8 yr old boy who was really hysterically cute--the Delta agents put him on a seat NEXT to them and did NOT allow him into the general population..If he needed the men's room, someone took him there...
After he boarded the plane, he would NOT stay in his assigned seat...and proceeded to change it to sit near a new found child friend....the stewardess was taking it all in stride and was a great sport about it...I would have hit the eject button by now, but these ladies are used to this..and the kid was fine for the entire flight...
When he landed at the final destination , a Delta agent again met the plane and took the kid to his parents...
NO problem--the airline looked out very well for this child...
Sep 4th, 2005, 06:57 PM
#44
Just a note, my best friend and I both have girls the same age. We are totally different parents to our daughters. I am the cautious parent, my comfort zone. She is the go and enjoy parent, her comfort zone. We may parent differently, but are still best friends.
Miss Maple is right, this was interesting, but should be put to rest.
Miss Maple is right, this was interesting, but should be put to rest.
Sep 4th, 2005, 09:14 PM
#45
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"For those parent's who replied and had their own children fly alone with no problems -- I am glad for the children's sake that nothing happened."
What a patronizing, holier-than-thou statement. You don't even know for sure what you saw on that plane, and yet you are using your interpretation of what you think you saw to judge others.
"I think this issue needs discussion and for those of you who are seasoned travellers -- thanks for looking out for those young-ins."
No, this does not need discussion. It is none of your business. And I take extreme offense at you thanking "seasoned travellers" for taking care of young travelers. By 12 my daughter had logged more frequent flyers than most adults do in a lifetime, both with adults and alone, and was very much a "seasoned traveller." Unescorted minors are flying on a special ticket, and they are left in charge of the airline, and I would be very upset if another passenger took it upon herself to interfere. The airline has taken the responsibility to escort these children, and the parents are paying extra for it. It is not an imposition, as you imply, but part of their job. The airlines offer this as a service, and have every right to refuse to escort young travellers. Frankly, Miss Maple, this is none of your business.
What a patronizing, holier-than-thou statement. You don't even know for sure what you saw on that plane, and yet you are using your interpretation of what you think you saw to judge others.
"I think this issue needs discussion and for those of you who are seasoned travellers -- thanks for looking out for those young-ins."
No, this does not need discussion. It is none of your business. And I take extreme offense at you thanking "seasoned travellers" for taking care of young travelers. By 12 my daughter had logged more frequent flyers than most adults do in a lifetime, both with adults and alone, and was very much a "seasoned traveller." Unescorted minors are flying on a special ticket, and they are left in charge of the airline, and I would be very upset if another passenger took it upon herself to interfere. The airline has taken the responsibility to escort these children, and the parents are paying extra for it. It is not an imposition, as you imply, but part of their job. The airlines offer this as a service, and have every right to refuse to escort young travellers. Frankly, Miss Maple, this is none of your business.
Sep 4th, 2005, 09:18 PM
#46
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Yes, flying unaccompanied minors costs more, there is a fee at both airports - upon departure and upon arrival..
I have to agree with here-today, Miss Maple, you have no idea of the truth of the situation, this is all based on an assumption of yours.
I have to agree with here-today, Miss Maple, you have no idea of the truth of the situation, this is all based on an assumption of yours.
I could not have said it any better.
Sep 5th, 2005, 01:02 PM
#48
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I'm with "here_today". Our daughter (who is now 35) flew many times from Ottawa to Gander Newfoundland to visit her grandparents from the age of 6 years old on. As much as we wished otherwise, none of these were non-stop flights, due to regional hubs. Air Canada was unbelievably superb in taking care of her on each and every flight. At connection airports she was taken to a separate room and was not allowed to leave until the flight was called. At no time was she ever left alone (well, maybe in the bathroom stall). "Unaccompanied minor" airplane fare was a true bargain and a great peace of mind for us after the first flight (the 1st one had us a couple of basket cases!)
Please note that we would never, never have considered this if our daughter was the least bit nervous about the prospect! As it was, she could never tell us much about other passengers she met because she almost always had 100% of her time taken up with an Air Canada staff member.
I'm not at all sure I would do it today though because of 9/11 and cutbacks in all the whole range of passenger services.
I'm sure that the reason that some airlines are doing away with "unaccompanied minor" tickets is because they simply no longer can afford the flight attendant and gate clerk attention required to do this properly.
But for the times - thank you Air Canada!
Please note that we would never, never have considered this if our daughter was the least bit nervous about the prospect! As it was, she could never tell us much about other passengers she met because she almost always had 100% of her time taken up with an Air Canada staff member.
I'm not at all sure I would do it today though because of 9/11 and cutbacks in all the whole range of passenger services.
I'm sure that the reason that some airlines are doing away with "unaccompanied minor" tickets is because they simply no longer can afford the flight attendant and gate clerk attention required to do this properly.
But for the times - thank you Air Canada!
Sep 5th, 2005, 06:47 PM
#49
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Obviously, there are two takes on this: Either you let your kids fly alone or you don't. To each his own. And we should all be able to give our opinion without getting attacked; however, that doesn't seem to be what's happening here.
But I ask again.....
What if there's a storm or mechanical problem and the plane gets diverted to land in another city?
Returning from Vegas a few years ago, our flight out of Vegas was late because of mechanical problems. We were going to change planes in Newark, but by the time we arrived, the plane that was "supposedly" waiting for our late arrival had left for Buffalo already, so we had to spend the night in Newark.
In a circumstance like that, what happens to the child?
If something happens in my neighborhood or school, chances are we can get there pretty quick. If my kid gets stuck in Newark on his way from Buffalo to ???, how quickly can I get there?
But I ask again.....
What if there's a storm or mechanical problem and the plane gets diverted to land in another city?
Returning from Vegas a few years ago, our flight out of Vegas was late because of mechanical problems. We were going to change planes in Newark, but by the time we arrived, the plane that was "supposedly" waiting for our late arrival had left for Buffalo already, so we had to spend the night in Newark.
In a circumstance like that, what happens to the child?
If something happens in my neighborhood or school, chances are we can get there pretty quick. If my kid gets stuck in Newark on his way from Buffalo to ???, how quickly can I get there?
Sep 5th, 2005, 06:54 PM
#51
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If a non stop flight is diverted, the child is in the 'custody' of the airline, the attendants take care..most passengers sit on the plane or go to a new one..in all the years we have done this- this has never happened to us.
Unaccompanied minors can only fly non-stop flights, have to be 5 on most airlines and cannot fly the first flight or the last flight in a day (these are the most often cancelled.)
They are taken to the gate and the parent/adult sees the child off, the adult at the other end has to be at the gate to receive them..with signed papers and 2 forms of ID.
I think it is very rare indeed that there has ever been a problem..I have not heard of one.
Unaccompanied minors can only fly non-stop flights, have to be 5 on most airlines and cannot fly the first flight or the last flight in a day (these are the most often cancelled.)
They are taken to the gate and the parent/adult sees the child off, the adult at the other end has to be at the gate to receive them..with signed papers and 2 forms of ID.
I think it is very rare indeed that there has ever been a problem..I have not heard of one.
Sep 6th, 2005, 05:25 AM
#52
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Scarlett - what does it mean to be in the custody of an airline? Who spends the night with the child? In the summer, diversions are not uncommon around PHL and Denver. I've known people on diverted flights, and I've been on one myself. While I admit that it's uncommon and the chance is very small, it's not unheard of. And, I'm pretty sure you cannot get to the gate anymore without a boarding pass (and proper ID, of course).
And Marion, I've posted similar comments about why women seem to bicker and be so catty, and sometimes downright mean here. I know my husband wouldn't take the time to read some of the threads here, let alone respond to them. We women represent 50-some% of the country. If we decided to stick together and vote on issues that directly affected us - girls, we could literally rule the world!
And Marion, I've posted similar comments about why women seem to bicker and be so catty, and sometimes downright mean here. I know my husband wouldn't take the time to read some of the threads here, let alone respond to them. We women represent 50-some% of the country. If we decided to stick together and vote on issues that directly affected us - girls, we could literally rule the world!
Sep 6th, 2005, 06:03 AM
#53
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Karens--The person taking the child to the airport, and the person picking up the chil both are allowed to the gate. In fact we are required to be at the gate. We are given an escort pass in order to do so. BTW, Yes, we have to show photo ID several steps of the way.
Sep 6th, 2005, 06:05 AM
#54
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All it takes is one incident on one flight to cause life long regrets. Airline attendants are not baby sitters, and in an emergency situation your child cannot be their first priority. Each parent has to make his own decisions in his own situation, but I'd certainly err on the side of caution.
