Wow, that was INCREDIBLY helpful. If I just show what you just wrote to my ex, that will probably relieve a large portion of her fears. (Not to mention mine!)

Of course i will be prepared with all necessary ID etc (I'll have to be, as I will be traveling myself).

I'm sure that major airlines like China Airlines follow a very similar protocol to the majors in the US -- after all, the American commercial aviation system is the world's leader in safety in most aspects and they'd be fools to have any different modus operandi -- and after all, my son will not be flying from Bamako to Ndjamena.

Thankyouthankyouthankyou!

As I will myself be traveling the route he will be traveling, at every step I'll ask the ground reps of anything I should know in advance before we undertake this adventure.

I had no idea it was so comprehensive and idiot-proof -- now all I have to do is be able to convince my ex (not a rational person) that this is doable, safe, and the only course of action from now on. I simply cannot afford to be plunking down $8K every time I want to bring my son to Montreal.

My infinite thanks to you -- now I know that I came to exactly the right place to ask that very question.

I'll keep you posted on what transpires. Meanwhile, I'm glad to know I'm on a site in which the members seem to know very well what-of they speak.

Cheers, and thanks again

Nick