AA flight attendants forgot to escort unaccompanied minor in MIA
Jul 4, 2022, 6:27 pm
#1
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AA flight attendants forgot to escort unaccompanied minor in MIA
I just saw this video online of a story that AA forgot to accompany an unaccompanied minor off the plane in Miami today (coming off a flight from chattanooga) :
Jul 4, 2022, 7:01 pm
#4
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I loved the "Miami, one of the biggest human trafficking hubs in the country" part, as if that makes AA look bad rather than the parent who shipped her 12-year-old daughter there ... unaccompanied.
I know kids are sheltered today, but the idea that a 12-year-old is in grave danger in an airport is really comical.
In any event, I'd bet AA would be happy never to fly another unaccompanied minor, so parents like this should be careful what they wish for.
I know kids are sheltered today, but the idea that a 12-year-old is in grave danger in an airport is really comical.
In any event, I'd bet AA would be happy never to fly another unaccompanied minor, so parents like this should be careful what they wish for.
Jul 4, 2022, 7:54 pm
#5
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Comments about risk in an airport or about Miami don't really make any sense. In other countries, 12 year olds can happily travel without a UM service - not sure why AA thinks kids in US are less capable
Jul 4, 2022, 8:02 pm
#6
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While this should never happen, wasn't the child given proper instructions? Twelve-year-olds are not 8-year-olds.
My instructions to my child would have been:
1. An American Airlines representative is supposed to escort you all the way from the plane to your dad.
2. If you find yourself lost or alone, stop where you are and call your mom or dad immediately.
It's not that difficult.
My instructions to my child would have been:
1. An American Airlines representative is supposed to escort you all the way from the plane to your dad.
2. If you find yourself lost or alone, stop where you are and call your mom or dad immediately.
It's not that difficult.
Jul 4, 2022, 8:12 pm
#7
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While this should never happen, wasn't the child given proper instructions? Twelve-year-olds are not 8-year-olds.
My instructions to my child would have been:
1. An American Airlines representative is supposed to escort you all the way from the plane to your dad.
2. If you find yourself lost or alone, stop where you are and call your mom or dad immediately.
It's not that difficult.
My instructions to my child would have been:
1. An American Airlines representative is supposed to escort you all the way from the plane to your dad.
2. If you find yourself lost or alone, stop where you are and call your mom or dad immediately.
It's not that difficult.
There shouldn't need to be instructions given on what to do if the airline who has taken responsibility, is negligent. It doesn't matter what age the UM is.
If the child had been on an itinerary where no UM service is provided, then indeed, the child should have a decent set of instructions on what to do for the whole journey
This seems purely an AA fault situation
Jul 4, 2022, 8:49 pm
#8
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There's no doubt that it's AA's fault but the idea that a 12 year old cannot find their way from the gate to the exit is comical.
When I was 12 I was given a bus pass and was taking the city bus to school and back every day. And so were my 12 year old friends.
When I was 12 I was given a bus pass and was taking the city bus to school and back every day. And so were my 12 year old friends.
Jul 4, 2022, 8:58 pm
#9
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While this should never happen, wasn't the child given proper instructions? Twelve-year-olds are not 8-year-olds.
My instructions to my child would have been:
1. An American Airlines representative is supposed to escort you all the way from the plane to your dad.
2. If you find yourself lost or alone, stop where you are and call your mom or dad immediately.
It's not that difficult.
My instructions to my child would have been:
1. An American Airlines representative is supposed to escort you all the way from the plane to your dad.
2. If you find yourself lost or alone, stop where you are and call your mom or dad immediately.
It's not that difficult.
Twelve or eight is casting a wide net - I know 8 year olds that I'd be fine with handing my wallet to and not being surprised at the end and 12 year olds that I wouldn't leave alone.
Point being, it's not our place to judge why a child was sent UM. Personally, I prefer that parents err on the side of caution vs expecting luck or some random stranger to deal with their kid.
Jul 4, 2022, 9:00 pm
#10
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I don't think our personal experiences should matter here. What if this 12 year old was shy? Not comfortable being with strangers? Needed help for medical reasons? Or just simply needed UM for -none of our business?
It's not fair to apply our biases to a parent that made the effort to book their kid UM.
This is AA's fault. No one else.
Jul 4, 2022, 9:07 pm
#11
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I flew solo at 4 due to a disaster at Stapleton (right before it closed).
I don't think our personal experiences should matter here. What if this 12 year old was shy? Not comfortable being with strangers? Needed help for medical reasons? Or just simply needed UM for -none of our business?
It's not fair to apply our biases to a parent that made the effort to book their kid UM.
This is AA's fault. No one else.
I don't think our personal experiences should matter here. What if this 12 year old was shy? Not comfortable being with strangers? Needed help for medical reasons? Or just simply needed UM for -none of our business?
It's not fair to apply our biases to a parent that made the effort to book their kid UM.
This is AA's fault. No one else.
However, posting to tik tok tells me that the parent is just after attention or an underserved payday. I have zero sympathy here.
Last edited by VegasGambler; Jul 4, 2022 at 9:15 pm
Jul 4, 2022, 9:25 pm
#12
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Jul 4, 2022, 9:26 pm
#13
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I loved the "Miami, one of the biggest human trafficking hubs in the country" part, as if that makes AA look bad rather than the parent who shipped her 12-year-old daughter there ... unaccompanied.
I know kids are sheltered today, but the idea that a 12-year-old is in grave danger in an airport is really comical.
In any event, I'd bet AA would be happy never to fly another unaccompanied minor, so parents like this should be careful what they wish for.
I know kids are sheltered today, but the idea that a 12-year-old is in grave danger in an airport is really comical.
In any event, I'd bet AA would be happy never to fly another unaccompanied minor, so parents like this should be careful what they wish for.
It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. The parent was concerned (right, wrong and regardless, really not our business to judge) booked UM service and therefore should receive the service as promised.
Twelve or eight is casting a wide net - I know 8 year olds that I'd be fine with handing my wallet to and not being surprised at the end and 12 year olds that I wouldn't leave alone.
Point being, it's not our place to judge why a child was sent UM. Personally, I prefer that parents err on the side of caution vs expecting luck or some random stranger to deal with their kid.
Twelve or eight is casting a wide net - I know 8 year olds that I'd be fine with handing my wallet to and not being surprised at the end and 12 year olds that I wouldn't leave alone.
Point being, it's not our place to judge why a child was sent UM. Personally, I prefer that parents err on the side of caution vs expecting luck or some random stranger to deal with their kid.
We want your child to have a safe and positive trip. For safety, we require children age 5 – 14 traveling alone to use our unaccompanied minor service. This service is optional for children age 15 – 17, but if requested, then the fee applies.
We charge a $150 unaccompanied service fee (plus tax, where applicable) each way, in addition to the ticket price. This fee covers additional siblings on the same flight.
We charge a $150 unaccompanied service fee (plus tax, where applicable) each way, in addition to the ticket price. This fee covers additional siblings on the same flight.
They had no choice but to use the UM service for a 12 year old based on AA rules.
Jul 4, 2022, 9:49 pm
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