Mach3 From United States of America, joined May 2007, 87 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 11303 times:
My Grand kids went to see their other Grand Parents in Alabama. When checking out flights Mom found that to go to the gate with the kid's United wanted $200.00 for her to walk them to the flight and meet it on their return! Of course she was Shocked and looked into WN's fares where she found that there was no charge.
Yesterday I took her to the Airport and she was issued a Concourse pass at no charge in about a minute to go get the kid's, as they did when the kid's left.
Is UAL that hard up for money they have to charge a fee for a parent to get their 13 and 7 year old.
It's just another new low for service. Next UAL will be charging for the use of the LAV on its flight's! Money Money Money for service that used to be FREE!
Would you want your kid's roaming around an Airport the size of DIA alone?
If you pull on the Tiger's tail, better be prepared for him to bite you in the ARSE
AA737-823 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 5341 posts, RR: 11 Reply 2, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 11231 times:
There must be more to the story, because I don't think that's even LEGAL. I believe the TSA must let one parent (not both, mind you) through to accompany UMs...
Evan767 From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 2957 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 11200 times:
I don't believe this. $200 to meet your kids? That's bull.
The proper term is "on final" not "on finals" bud...
Searpqx From Netherlands, joined Jun 2000, 4343 posts, RR: 12 Reply 4, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 11144 times:
Quoting Mach3 (Thread starter): United wanted $200.00 for her to walk them to the flight and meet it on their return!
United, like most carriers, has a fee for handling unaccompanied minors. The fee isn't 'to go to the gate', but for the entire process, similar to extra fees for pets or extra luggage. And no, I'm not equating children to either, but like pets and excess baggage, they do require extra effort from the airline, hence a fee is applied. Apparently Southwest doesn't charge a fee, but they also will not accept children for connecting flights or interlining, which UA will.
"The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity"
Aeroflot777 From Russia, joined Mar 2004, 2957 posts, RR: 30 Reply 5, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 11108 times:
I don't exactly remember how much my father had to pay for similar service on Delta for my sister, but it was around 100$ one-way. As Searpqx mentioned above, United charges for the service that they offer to connect kids to their connections and so forth. My sister was flying SFO-ATL-SVO. She needed to make the international flight to Moscow and not get stranded in ATL by herself being 7 years old. WN doesn't accept unaccompanied minors, to my knowledge at least, when the flight connects. Therefore it is free.
Bicoastal From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 11075 times:
That's bull. United does not charge a gate pass fee. Gate passes are allowed for people accompanying passengers with special needs to the gates (elderly or handicapped), spouses seeing military husbands/wives off on a deployment, and to one parent/guardian who is seeing off a child who is not checked in as an unaccompanied minor.
United does charge an unaccompanied minor fee for those parents wanting the service. That's for escort service from Point A to Point B. It's not a gate pass fee. As the thread starter states the kids are 13 and 7. I believe United requires them to be in the unaccompanied minor program....kids under 14 travelling alone. A free gate pass would be issued for the designated adult meeting the kids.
Any UA CSRs out there who can clarify?
I believe the TSA sets the guidelines on gate passes. The goal is to limit the number of people going through security and hanging out at the gates.
Fdex727 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 11008 times:
If I recall $200 would be correct for 2 UM's, although in the past I have only charged $100 when two were travelling together. I guess cost's have gone up since I left.
ANCFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 10986 times:
Quoting Mach3 (Thread starter): When checking out flights Mom found that to go to the gate with the kid's United wanted $200.00 for her to walk them to the flight and meet it on their return!
That's unaccompanied minor fee . . .
Perhaps "Mom" was talking to one of the absolutely frackin' USELESS outsourced morons in India that take care of UA's call center . . . that would explain why you couldn't get a Concourse Pass and would have to pay a UM fee.
Quoting Bicoastal (Reply 6): United does charge an unaccompanied minor fee for those parents wanting the service. That's for escort service from Point A to Point B. It's not a gate pass fee. As the thread starter states the kids are 13 and 7. I believe United requires them to be in the unaccompanied minor program....kids under 14 travelling alone. A free gate pass would be issued for the designated adult meeting the kids.
Exactly . . . as I said above, it's the UM Fee. A fee the likes of which UA still owes me - because of a useless moron(s) in India that 'say' I never bought the UM package - receipt and credit card charge notwithstanding.
You probably asked for a concourse/gate pass and the outsourced losers simply heard "Child" and went straight to the 'answer key" for "kids to gate".
Mach3 From United States of America, joined May 2007, 87 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 10910 times:
ANCFlyer it was a refugee from underpaid India. But I was there when she made the original call and told her just what to say and how to say it! " I just want to walk my children to and from the gate!"
For those so called experts who did not read the starting post learn to comprehend the written word! I said nothing about them being UAM's needing a Nanny. No UAL employee's were needed!
D_M I wish people would read and use what is written instead of jumping on a subject to show they know it all!!!!!
You guy's need to get a life!
Once agin MoM just wanted to walk them to the gate!
If you pull on the Tiger's tail, better be prepared for him to bite you in the ARSE
Bicoastal From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 10867 times:
Quoting Mach3 (Reply 10): You guy's need to get a life!
Or rather than posting something with an inflammatory title, you could of posted a title along the likes of "Clarification Needed on UA Gate Passes." Then your thread could have sought information/facts. Instead you unfairly attacked one of my favorite airlines.
Searpqx From Netherlands, joined Jun 2000, 4343 posts, RR: 12 Reply 12, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 10785 times:
Quoting Mach3 (Reply 10): For those so called experts who did not read the starting post learn to comprehend the written word! I said nothing about them being UAM's needing a Nanny. No UAL employee's were needed!
D_M I wish people would read and use what is written instead of jumping on a subject to show they know it all!!!!!
You guy's need to get a life!
Once agin MoM just wanted to walk them to the gate!
And you need to chill. UA doesn't charge for a gate pass, they do charge a UM fee for ANY child 11 and under, not traveling with an adult, which the 13 yo isn't. When mom said she wanted to walk the child to the gate, UA correctly understood that to be an unaccompanied minor and quoted the fee. Its quite possible the agent didn't do a good job of explaining it to MoM, but none the less, the fee was because the child was unaccompanied and NOT because mom wanted to go to the gate.
On a side note, yes there are plenty of non-industry people on this board, but there are also a good number of us who have years of direct airline experience. Before you start yelling at us, you might consider that its you that brought your issue to an airline board and had airline people answer it, so if anyone needs to 'get a life' perhaps its you.
"The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity"
Mach3 From United States of America, joined May 2007, 87 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 10785 times:
Bicoastal I'm an old man who has worked in the industry and call the shots as I see them! Why sugar coat the truth. UAL management is just as crappy as NWA's money grubbing crud's! It used to be a pleasure to fly, the Airlines used to appreciate the customer! Now its Cattle car treatment for the customer. The money doesn't go to the employee's it goes to the top management so they can buy bigger homes more cars and bragging rights on how they shaft the rank and file as well as the customer!
If you pull on the Tiger's tail, better be prepared for him to bite you in the ARSE
Kevi747 From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 1056 posts, RR: 13 Reply 14, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 10774 times:
Quoting Mach3 (Reply 10): But I was there when she made the original call and told her just what to say and how to say it!
Then why didn't you just make the call?
Quoting Mach3 (Reply 10): I said nothing about them being UAM's needing a Nanny. No UAL employee's were needed!
You sent a 13 and a 7 year old by themselves and didn't register them as UMNRS? I don't know about UA but here at AA we won't let them travel alone without being registered as UM's.
Quoting Mach3 (Reply 10): For those so called experts who did not read the starting post learn to comprehend the written word!
Quoting Mach3 (Reply 10): D_M I wish people would read and use what is written instead of jumping on a subject to show they know it all!!!!!
Quoting Mach3 (Reply 10): You guy's need to get a life!
Bitter much?
Quoting Mach3 (Reply 10): Once agin MoM just wanted to walk them to the gate!
Maybe you should make the call yourself next time. Sounds like a break down in communication. I don't think mom understood what the agent was telling her. She was probably being told that UA doesn't accept children that young unless they are accompanied or registered as UM's.
"Reality has a well-known liberal bias." --Stephen Colbert
Phelpsie87 From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 498 posts, RR: 2 Reply 15, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 10774 times:
Quoting Bicoastal (Reply 11): Or rather than posting something with an inflammatory title, you could of posted a title along the likes of "Clarification Needed on UA Gate Passes." Then your thread could have sought information/facts. Instead you unfairly attacked one of my favorite airlines.
Agreed 150%!!!!
Quoting Mach3 (Reply 10): But I was there when she made the original call and told her just what to say and how to say it! " I just want to walk my children to and from the gate!"
If she "just wanted to walk her children to and from the gate" then she never should have called India. She could have simply asked for a gate pass at the airport on the day of departure.
Quoting Mach3 (Reply 10): You guy's need to get a life!
If we need one, you need one. You posted first bud...
Quoting Mach3 (Thread starter): It's just another new low for service. Next UAL will be charging for the use of the LAV on its flight's! Money Money Money for service that used to be FREE!
Kind of like airlines that charge for exit rows and seats near the front of the aircraft without offering extra legroom...
Quoting Mach3 (Reply 10): Once agin MoM just wanted to walk them to the gate!
Once again, mom should have been clearer, or just asked for a gate pass at the airport.
ANCFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 16, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 10748 times:
Quoting Bicoastal (Reply 11): Or rather than posting something with an inflammatory title, you could of posted a title along the likes of "Clarification Needed on UA Gate Passes."
Sorry BiCoastal . . . in this instance, I believe the thread title to be accurate . . .
Phelpsie87 From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 498 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 10707 times:
Quoting Mach3 (Thread starter): When checking out flights Mom found that to go to the gate with the kid's United wanted $200.00 for her to walk them to the flight and meet it on their return!
Kevi747 From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 1056 posts, RR: 13 Reply 18, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 10675 times:
Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 16): Sorry BiCoastal . . . in this instance, I believe the thread title to be accurate . . .
The truth may hurt, but the truth is the truth . . . .
But it's not the truth because Mach3 is completely wrong. He doesn't understand Uniteds policy and he tried to get the information through a third party. He wasn't on the phone with the agent. Airlines have clearly defined policy's of who they'll carry and under what circumstances. Too bad he can't grasp this concept. Check this out:
Flyinryan99 From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 1919 posts, RR: 11 Reply 19, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 10675 times:
The airlines I used to work with anyone under the age of 16 not traveling with anyone over the age of 16 was forced to be a UMNR - depends on the Contract of Carriage. It's a liability issue on the airline's part and personally I think all parents should buy it up to the age of 16. You just don't know the crazy people out there. I just don't think it's *safe* for kids to be flying without an adult.
Kuna From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 279 posts, RR: 3 Reply 20, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 10665 times:
Quoting Mach3 (Thread starter): When checking out flights Mom found that to go to the gate with the kid's United wanted $200.00 for her to walk them to the flight and meet it on their return!
This had to be for the UM fee, they charge $99 one way for their fee.
NW charges $50 one way for non-stop flights and $75 one way for connected flights.
Now the airline reserves the right to deny gate passes/concourse pass/whatever you want to call them. TSA doesn't want just everybody to go through the checkpoint. In that case, I would see that UA would provide a pass for one parent to proceed with them. But if someones girlfriend or boyfriend wants to go through the checkpoint just because...I deny the gate pass.
Quoting Bicoastal (Reply 6): Any UA CSRs out there who can clarify?
No but I work (9E) closely with the ZW employees and one of my co-workers is an ex ZW employee. The $200 is the price for the two UM's. Like ANC said, the person in India heard child and proceeded to the answer sheet. The phones on the UA kiosk are a direct line to India.
Jacobin777 From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 14968 posts, RR: 61 Reply 21, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 10587 times:
Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 16): The truth may hurt, but the truth is the truth . . . .
..but making comments such as this is nothing short of repulsive..
Quoting Mach3 (Reply 10): it was a refugee from underpaid India.
..maybe you should be nominated for the 2008 Nobel Prize...
AirframeAS From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 14150 posts, RR: 26 Reply 22, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 10306 times:
Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 9): Perhaps "Mom" was talking to one of the absolutely frackin' USELESS outsourced morons in India that take care of UA's call center . . .
I wonder if UA is actually reading this thread. I hope so! UA needs to get their house in order! Outsourcing is a bad bad bad bad bad bad (ok, I overemphasized it..) thing!!!
A Safe Flight Begins With Quality Maintenance On The Ground.
UAL-Fan From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 367 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 9891 times:
Add a few more "bads" to that. I just got off the phone with some Dude in India that for the life of me I couldn't understand. I finally just told him I had to go and called back.
Platinumfoota From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 543 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (5 years 10 months 3 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 9777 times:
Quoting AirframeAS (Reply 23): I wonder if UA is actually reading this thread. I hope so! UA needs to get their house in order! Outsourcing is a bad bad bad bad bad bad (ok, I overemphasized it..) thing!!!
UA employees always bring this up during sit downs with management, i hope they are really planning on changing it.
Never forget United 93
25 Atrude777: WN accepts UM's if the flight they are on is a non stop or has a stop but no change of aircraft is required. No we do not charge for the fee, we have
26 PlanenutzTB: I understand that UL is going to charge $100 for a token to use the restroom. FC passengers will be given free token.
27 Rdwootty: Amazing that the "" security " part did not come in to it. In europe there is NO chance of going to the gate if you are not flying. Once you go throug
28 AirframeAS: Management must have turned a deaf ear. My god, get a grip, UA! These people that work for you are the ones that help you keep the company afloat and
29 Mir: In fact, yes they were. If you're flying on UA, and you're under 11, you must use the UM service (and pay $100 for it). So one kid did need it. Kevi7
31 Swiftski: Biased at all, based on your previous bad ("Moronic") experiences?
32 Philvardon: I find the whole subject of the topic extremely amusing. Yet another example of how American carriers fleece their customers for every cent they can.
33 Nimish: Please tone that down - the "morons in India" are probably due to the "... in UA HQ" who have not budgeted/planned to train the "morons in India".
34 Charliejag1: Delta charges $100 to use a credit card to book a ticket if the passenger will not physically have the credit card at check-in. They also call the ban
35 Embajador3: Several years ago, Lufthansa charged me for the same service. However, Spanair did not. I guess it is airline policy. Rgds
37 ThePhoenix911: Athough I am not a minor, I have often had my father and his fiancee come with me to the airport when I flew home. I am a United/Lufthansa dedicated p
38 TrvlnMan: You are asking too much of people.... they hear "sense" and think they have to pay.
39 AirTran737: That's odd. Most other airlines consider children adults after age 12, and therefore can navigate the airport themselves. A 13 year old could ensure
40 TrvlnMan: I believe it is inaccurate - all airlines (with the exception of WN) charge a UM fee. It has nothing to do with a "New LOW". No. Which is why I would
41 GQfluffy: TSA must do nothing. It is all up to the airline to issue a gate pass, and who to issue said gate pass to... If your kids are under a certain age, it
42 EKSkycargo370: The poor and sorry state of UA,when will they admit they are in financial ruin...
43 Kuna: It is NW policy to allow a UMNR travel with a 18 year old without paying the fee. Examples: If there are two children traveling, one is 16 and one is
44 Mcdu: So this was not about the UM fee but about UAL mgmnt. Perhaps you could re-title post to accurately reflect that you actually meant. You are now not
45 ChiGB1973: Better do some research. http://www.britishairways.com/travel...?p_search_text=unaccompanied+minor The moderator needs some moderating. This is total
46 Funflyer: They do accept UM's for a small fee if I remember correctly/
47 Charlienorth: So you bought tickets on Southwest?
48 Birdy92: Even if the mother did walk the children to the gate who is saying that the person on the other end would be there. God forbid that the person on the
49 FLYGUY767: Couldn't have put it any better myself! The Indian Call Centers, have only fueled the loathing by many of United Airlines. The Call Centers are based
50 ArcrftLvr: I call bravo sierra. If you are going to post something like this, please provide the full story, What really happened?
51 Onthebeach: I'm more shocked at a parent who will send children alone to save a few bucks than at the airline that charges to look after them. I'm a flight attend
52 Swiftski: Agreed. Mod's are entitled to have an opinion, but need to also set an example when conveying this.
53 GQfluffy: Apparently you guys didn't read his signature. And regardless of what that says, and whether or not you agree with it, he IS entitled to his own opin
54 Swiftski: Apparently you didn't read my ENTIRE message? "Mod's are entitled to have an opinion, but need to also set an example when conveying this" On the fli
55 Phelpsie87: Thank you I was thinking the EXACT same thing. Folks, I don't know how many times we need to say this for the UA haters to get the picture. UA was no
56 JRDC930: I'm Sure as you've found out Anet is not the place to look for sympathy. You ll notice many UA cheerleaders coming out to defend UA no matter what the
58 FLYGUY767: Take a browse through Trip Reports and the Civil Aviation Forum on Airliners.net! -JD
59 Brilondon: They would only if there is no airline employee to meet the plane and bring the children to the greeting party. Although I find that this although ri
60 GQfluffy: I would be moderated too if I said "Everytime I post something in Civ Av I get argued with by morons". But I don't post that, do I?
61 UA_727: No kidding - ANC, your participation in this thread reflects poorly upon A.net. Regardless of what you believe (...and admittedly, I'm not impressed
62 Kuna: I am no UA cheerleader as you put it, but in this case it was a misunderstanding between the mother and the agent on the phone. All airlines are stri
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