Originally Posted by
Often1
The kids involved in OP's situation were not UM's.
What others are proposing is that all carriers establish an IDB priority for those <21 (can't generally book a hotel), which includes kids flying to/from college.
Imagine the poor 22-year old flying home from Boston or some other academic center the day before Thanksgiving or somesuch.
They can check in at 18, so the college student glut is not a real problem. The 21 requirement applies to casino properties in a number of places. It also applies to some full service hotels with minibars in the rooms. I've never encountered a 25 requirement, except with some car rental companies.
And yes, I do think it would be a great idea if all carriers had to establish an IDB priority for those <18, because they are unable to avail themselves of the remedy that the airlines offer to older passengers when there is an oversold flight or cancellation due to MX. To fail to do this is to provide a different and inferior remedy to those under 18 years of age.