Originally Posted by
sakaike
Slightly off topic, but are the rules for checking IDs of UMs different from any "regular" passenger traveling a domestic connection to an International flight?
I ask because I rarely have my passport checked at my origin airport (SNA or LAX) when starting a first domestic flight that later connects to an International flight from another gateway city (ORD, IAD, EWR, etc.). I never check bags, so I rarely see a ticket counter. When I'm allowed to check in online (about 3/4 of the time), I get my boarding passes and proceed directly to the gate.
If I get the message saying that I must check in at the airport, then yes, I have to go to the counter, where I present my passport and receive my boarding passes, but I am frequently able to avoid this.
If the UM was able to check in online and didn't check a bag, I could imagine a scenario in which they might have been able to get to ORD to pick up their passport. But if OLCI was not possible, then all bets are off.
UNLESS there is some additional rule that all UMs must check in at the counter, regardless of whether they are checking bags or not. In that case, I can imagine that everything that subsequently occurred makes total sense.
I believe that the UM must be presented at a check-in counter or some other counter before going thru TSA, which is done with an airline rep with them. A parent can accompany them by getting a pass and go to the Gate if they so chose. But the signing over of said UM is done before Security, I dont know of any case (not saying it hasnt happened) where a UM signs themselves over or simply shows up at the Gate by themselves, its possible but I believe its not suppose to occur. Im not even sure once you designate the traveller as a UM if they can in fact do OLCI and print a BP, imo they shouldnt be able to since all sorts of paperwork needs to be filled out and the Adult must sign and hand over the UM