It seems like the United States is the worst place for unaccompanied minors to travel to, within, and from. As we have seen, the INS is very unforgiving of mistakes.

Nobody mentioned the problems that many people are suspicious of teenagers seemingly loitering about and at the same time the minor himself may be afraid he may be mugged or that someone, proabaly a road warrior, take unfair advantage of him.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

About recognized (paid the fee) UM's not being allowed to be booked on the last connecting flight, I'm told that if one misses the second to last, he will be booked and put on the last even if someone else has to be and will be bumped.