Unaccompanied minors
Jul 9, 2012, 2:24 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Delhi
Programs: Emirates gold *alliance silver jet airways platinum tridentprivilege gold.
Posts: 1,817
Unaccompanied minors
My nieces aged 12 and 13 are flying in october on TG DEl-BKK and MAA-BKK to spend some time with our family here. they will have all the paperwork. flights arrive at the same time
Does anyone have any experience with the efficiency and actual operation of the THAI unaccompanied minor drill at BKK airport? Any tips or things to watch out for so that there are no problems? they arrive on diffferent flights but at the same time early morning 0625 am.....
Does anyone have any experience with the efficiency and actual operation of the THAI unaccompanied minor drill at BKK airport? Any tips or things to watch out for so that there are no problems? they arrive on diffferent flights but at the same time early morning 0625 am.....
Jul 9, 2012, 3:57 am
#2
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BKK.DPS
Programs: P THAI,Diamond HYATT
Posts: 3,290
The important factor is to keep these two operations seperate, otherwise it will take the slightest delay in either flights to create havoc. The girls will be tagged and handed from one carer to another, the key is to have one delivery point in Bangkok. I once tried to have two lots of passengers, one pax, an unaccompanied minor picked up by the hotel from two different flights, it was a disaster, I have learnt to stay at the service desk and let them come to me
Jul 9, 2012, 4:10 am
#3
Ambassador: Thai Airways
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MEL, SIN, CDG, DXB
Programs: EK*P, TG*P, SQ*PPS
Posts: 976
The important factor is to keep these two operations seperate, otherwise it will take the slightest delay in either flights to create havoc. The girls will be tagged and handed from one carer to another, the key is to have one delivery point in Bangkok. I once tried to have two lots of passengers, one pax, an unaccompanied minor picked up by the hotel from two different flights, it was a disaster, I have learnt to stay at the service desk and let them come to me
Personally, I would not leave the airport pickup to the hotel - too risky if your nieces are being received by people they cannot positively ID and one more thing to go wrong. How do they or the TG staff know the hotel receivers are bona fide? Call me paranoid, but precautions aren't much use after the event.
The Thai's are wonderful with children and I would imagine TG will take great care of your UMs.
Hope all goes well. If you get a chance, please debrief us on UM procedures at BKK for the benefit of others.
Last edited by hgp; Jul 9, 2012 at 4:19 am
Jul 10, 2012, 7:27 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YYZ
Posts: 369
I think having a Bangkok delivery point, per BKKROP's advice, is a big risk. I would plan on receiving your nieces at BKK. Where to receive them? Speak to TG and meet wherever they require or suggest - don't try to make special arrangements. By sticking to their standard operating procedures you will minimize the chances of problems.
Personally, I would not leave the airport pickup to the hotel - too risky if your nieces are being received by people they cannot positively ID and one more thing to go wrong. How do they or the TG staff know the hotel receivers are bona fide? Call me paranoid, but precautions aren't much use after the event.
The Thai's are wonderful with children and I would imagine TG will take great care of your UMs.
Hope all goes well. If you get a chance, please debrief us on UM procedures at BKK for the benefit of others.
Personally, I would not leave the airport pickup to the hotel - too risky if your nieces are being received by people they cannot positively ID and one more thing to go wrong. How do they or the TG staff know the hotel receivers are bona fide? Call me paranoid, but precautions aren't much use after the event.
The Thai's are wonderful with children and I would imagine TG will take great care of your UMs.
Hope all goes well. If you get a chance, please debrief us on UM procedures at BKK for the benefit of others.
Jul 10, 2012, 6:57 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BKK.DPS
Programs: P THAI,Diamond HYATT
Posts: 3,290
In so many cases it is not the parents or the relative that picks up the passengers, so if as the OP advised that there are two passengers arriving on two different flights, it is important that there is the one meeting place decided on and he/she makes it clear they or their drivers will not depart this location.
Jul 10, 2012, 7:29 pm
#6
Ambassador: Thai Airways
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MEL, SIN, CDG, DXB
Programs: EK*P, TG*P, SQ*PPS
Posts: 976
For those whom have no experience in sending children or medical patients on airlines, there is a form required by airlines that identifies the senders and the recipients of the passengers. There are many other rules also, no transfer flights, no late flights, and the list goes on, so the "problems" suggested can not happen if there is only one flight and one delivery.
In so many cases it is not the parents or the relative that picks up the passengers, so if as the OP advised that there are two passengers arriving on two different flights, it is important that there is the one meeting place decided on and he/she makes it clear they or their drivers will not depart this location.
In so many cases it is not the parents or the relative that picks up the passengers, so if as the OP advised that there are two passengers arriving on two different flights, it is important that there is the one meeting place decided on and he/she makes it clear they or their drivers will not depart this location.
Accordingly:
- Do not "decide on" a meeting place. Instead, ask TG for the designated handover point and meet your nieces there.
- Do not specify a Bangkok meeting place, this is just asking for problems (you may never see your nieces again)
- Ideally, collect your nieces yourself or have some other 100% trusted person do the collection
Last edited by hgp; Jul 11, 2012 at 6:05 am
Jul 11, 2012, 12:14 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Melbourne/Bangkok
Programs: A3*G, QF PLATINUM, BA GOLD, VA GOLD, HH DIAMOND
Posts: 2,245
For those whom have no experience in sending children or medical patients on airlines, there is a form required by airlines that identifies the senders and the recipients of the passengers. There are many other rules also, no transfer flights, no late flights, and the list goes on, so the "problems" suggested can not happen if there is only one flight and one delivery.
Jul 24, 2012, 10:14 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: VZ
Programs: M&M, ROP, KrisFlyer
Posts: 1,028
correct: transfers are allowed, and this maybe the reason why you have to pay USD 60 per segment / flight and not per travel (i.e. from India to Australia). As there is more work involved to arrange for and supervise a child during transit, they charge "per flight".
Aug 11, 2012, 3:09 am
#9
Ambassador: Thai Airways
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MEL, SIN, CDG, DXB
Programs: EK*P, TG*P, SQ*PPS
Posts: 976
Slightly OT, but relevant in terms of general attitudes airline's take to UMs.
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalk...one-was-right/
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalk...one-was-right/