Originally Posted by
Zarf4
Thanks for the advice which I passed along. Unfortunately the check-in agent refused to issue a gate pass because the child (age 10) was technically eligible to travel as an unaccompanied minor. Kid wound up having to go through TSA security alone without full visual contact with dad. Know it's rare, but in the future my advice will always be to buy a refundable ticket.
What airline does not require a ten year old to fly as an UM? My children have flown by themselves many times and on about every carrier in the US. I've never had a problem getting a gate pass to take them to the gate, even if they were not flying technically as an UM. I think the agent was wrong, and your friend should have insisted this child needed assistance. IMO, that's just crazy.