AY104 From Canada, joined Nov 2005, 503 posts, RR: 8 Posted (6 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1379 times:
Here is a link to cbc news for today, Jan31. AC now limiting unaccompanied minor travel to nonstop flights. All the details are in the story. IMHO it's a good idea. If children miss connections for whatever reason, it is not only hard on them but the whole family and puts the airline under tremendous responsibility. It is time that the airlines unburden themselves from this responsibility that they have taken on over the years.
Gigneil From United States of America, joined Nov 2002, 16215 posts, RR: 88 Reply 1, posted (6 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 1371 times:
Lots of airlines actually do this depending on the age of the passenger.
AY104 From Canada, joined Nov 2005, 503 posts, RR: 8 Reply 3, posted (6 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 1260 times:
Quoting Gigneil (Reply 1): Lots of airlines actually do this depending on the age of the passenger.
NS
I didn't realize this. I just watched the newscast on TV, and it totally makes AC and WestJet look like bad guys. It didn't state anything about other carriers having this policy, only that some International carriers do allow making connecting flights. It only concentrated on how difficult it will be for families now, and that if there is a connection someone will have to be on hand to meet the minor. OH, Boo-hoo, it's about time. I worked for airlines for 25 years, thankfully not any more, and the problems we had with unaccompanied minors, and the time we spent. On numerous occasions the parent(s) did not show up for one reason or another, and we had to take care of the kids until they showed up, or we could get hold of them. Basically, babysitting, not the kids' faults at all, but a lot of responsibility for the airlines. I am actually very surprised that airlines don't discontinue the unaccompanied minor program altogether. There is no reason that airlines should have to get involved in families' domestic affairs, which is what it boils down to.
Cheers,
AY104
The only thing a customer should expect for his/her loyalty is good service
ADent From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 1173 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (6 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 1211 times:
When I worked at United during the summer I worked escorting Unaccompanied Minors at ORD.
UA charged $30 each way for the service and it was OK for 8-17 year olds. 6-7 could fly, but non-stop only. 12+ (or was it 14+) can fly by themselves but we had 16 year olds brought in that missed their flights because they got confused.
And yes there were missed connections, overnights, etc.
Back then UA hired temps for summer and Christmas and we did a pretty good job. The rest of the year it was the Andy Frain's that did it. Some of those people were scary.
Connies4ever From Canada, joined Feb 2006, 3854 posts, RR: 13 Reply 5, posted (6 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 1169 times:
What's interesting to me oon this story is how the CBC played it -- like it was AC being the big bad actor. WS has been doing this for some time, AFAIK.
Sidebar: going YWG-YVR several years ago, afternoon flight, DC9-30, aisle seat. 2 UMs beside m2, girl about 12 in window, boy about 9 in middle. Drinks trolley comes around and FA asks if I want something, I order scotch & soda. FA then asks young boy if he wants something. He looks at my drink, looks at me, looks at my drink again, asks:"Can I have on of those?" I look at him and say "In about 10 years." LOL !
PanAmOldDC8 From Barbados, joined Dec 2006, 960 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (6 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 8 hours ago) and read 1156 times:
Quoting AY104 (Reply 3): Basically, babysitting, not the kids' faults at all, but a lot of responsibility for the airlines. I am actually very surprised that airlines don't discontinue the unaccompanied minor program altogether. There is no reason that airlines should have to get involved in families' domestic affairs, which is what it boils down to.
Would never have let my kids travel as UM. I guess maybe I am different as I worked for an airline and saw the problems that can occur. Remember once in BGI we had to hold on to a kid for 5 hours after the flight landed as the father was too busy to come pick him up. That was the last time he flew UM as the father who was divorced from the mother had to go get him in New York. Of course the press is going to do that for ratings, the sensational story, they don't know or don't care about the airlines problems. Good for AC
Necigrad From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 183 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (6 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 1097 times:
Several years ago America West stopped carrying UMs on connecting flights. That was when we "lost" a few. It's happened on other carriers as well, and more and more the airlines are realising that they don't want that responsibility. Back before deregulation when I was a kid, I made my first flight alone. It was JFK-PIT-LAX on USAir. Coming back I got stuck in PIT due to thunderstorms. They had all the UMs together in a room and totally took care of us. Now no airline wants to lose an agent just to babysit.
Airfoilsguy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (6 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 1086 times:
Quoting PanAmOldDC8 (Reply 6): Of course the press is going to do that for ratings, the sensational story, they don't know or don't care about the airlines problems. Good for AC
Just wait till one of these kids gets abducted, then the media will blame the airlines for letting kids fly alone.
Quoting AY104 (Reply 3): There is no reason that airlines should have to get involved in families' domestic affairs, which is what it boils down to.
I agree totally. When I was 9 my mother died and every year I flew from Puerto Rico to Ohio and back alone to stay with my grandparents.. I never had any problems and did not have a airline Representative help me. My father went with me once and showed me ever thing I needed to know. Keep in mind that the flights I took had a plane change in either Atlanta or New York. I don't believe the kids of today could do this and even if they could there are too many predators out there.
PanAmOldDC8 From Barbados, joined Dec 2006, 960 posts, RR: 1 Reply 9, posted (6 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 1071 times:
Quoting Airfoilsguy (Reply 8): . I don't believe the kids of today could do this and even if they could there are too many predators out there.
Agree with you wholeheartedly. I know I would not let my Grand kids fly alone, not with all the perverts out there, and that is besides the airline problems
Bicoastal From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (6 years 3 months 2 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 1061 times:
United now charges $100 for unaccompanied minors. That likely covers the extra paperwork and escort's time. Plus, United does not allow these kids to be booked on the last flight/connecting flight of the day. That way they avoid being stuck with these kids overnight if flights get cancelled.
Sounds to me like AC and Westjet are being a bit harsh.
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