I'm shocked and appalled at this particular agent's behavior. It seems to me that the agent refused compensation to the minor's by assuming that they didn't know the rules and wouldn't raise a ruckus. For all we know, perhaps she didn't even enter them as being IDB'd into the computer, keeping SkyWest's record untarnished for that particular run.
This may make me seem overly litigious, but if I didn't find adequate resolution from United, I would see if I could pursue litigation against the carrier. The denial of the compensation a normal (read: above 18, but the same in the eyes of United Airlines, as any passenger over 12 is ticketed as an "Adult") passenger would receive, for me, would make me want to sue. However, I am not a lawyer, so I'm not sure of what the legal grounds would be for such a suit.
-JBLU

Another Edit: lizkear, Rock On!! I believe that litigation is the only way to make airlines listen, if complaints fall on dead ears within the company (which has been happening all too often lately).. Does SkyWest do ground handling there? (naming SkyWest as a party of the suit?)