Originally posted by robinhood:
Frankly, Doc 2 Be, I don't understand why you're jumping to the conclusion that the family is comprised of a bunch of cheats trying to use some "trick" to buck the system. First of all, the allegation that it's a common scam that Filipino ticket agents have seen too much of is ridiculous, to say the least. First of all, to be able to take advantage of the "scam," you need to have a kid whose 2nd birthday is in between the outbound and return flight -- I doubt that's a common characteristic of Filipino grifters.
Second, why should the fact that they're gone for 6 months make any difference? Maybe a relative was seriously ill. Who knows? It doesn't prove that they're fabulously wealthy. I'm not wealthy (I'm also a Doc 2 Be), but I could probably take 6 months off and live off money I already have. But even if I had some money, I would certainly refuse to pay for a full-fare one-way ticket when extorted with threats of separation from my child (assuming I had one).
My point is that yes, the parents were either 1.) unaware that the 2 yr. age limit was a hard and fast rule, 2.) irresponsible, or 3.) intentionally trying to save some money by bucking the system. There's no reason to believe 3 is the most likely.
Congrats on being a Doc 2 Be, as well.
I do not know if it is a common scam, that is why I leave it to the discretion of the tix agents there, as I am sure they can discern the situation better than you or I could have done so, as we do not hold that position. I am not saying that they were trying to cheat, only that unless proven to the contrary, I will assume the worst. Others can certainly disagree, and have!!, but I wish I could only take 6 mos off and do whatever I would like.
If the gate agents were unfeeling, then shame on them, but, I would still like to have further info.