Luther.e

So 3 passengers checking in next to me at Geneva. One was 15, not related to the others and on the flight after them on his own. He should have a form signed by parents which the staff asked me to explain as there were a few language barriers and being 16 travelling alone they knew I was familiar with the rules. After the boy spoke in French to them, they checked I was on the same flight and asked if knew him - I said I did not. After a few phone calls the lady checking me in came back and took my bags.

After the earlier flight leaves the lounge the boy comes over trying to be friendly with me but was extremely loud and lively which those nearby were also annoyed by when I spoke to a family at baggage reclaim so apologies to anyone in the Geneva lounge last night - I had nothing to do with him!

After take off, he comes and tries to sit on 1C, I was on 1A. The cabin manager sends him back to economy but after checking his iPad says he�s happy to let my friend sit with me but wouldn�t get any service. I said I didn�t know him and then he tells me that our bookings are linked??

Once I confirmed that I didn�t know him I had to explain to him and the captain who said he shouldn�t be on the flight knowing what they do. The captain was quite annoyed about the situation but mainly out of concern for him. Captain had to fill out some forms and arranged BA management and border force to meet him at the aircraft.

Once landed, both had a quick chat with me to if I knew him as apparently the boy had said at points that he was with me and apologised for the trouble as Geneva shouldn�t have done it or let him travel but I was soon let go. He had a British passport so assume he was let through albeit after a lengthy chat and checks.

Again, very sorry to anyone in the Geneva lounge on Wednesday night! Overall a very strange thing for both the boy and Geneva to do but all ended okay. Once the cabin manager told me I felt this was quite out of line for them to link my booking as would that make me (16 and alone) responsible for him?

HIDDY

Sure he was 15? I had a full time job wen I was that age.

JCT001

My goodness. What a thing to happen. Glad it was all sorted with relative ease. But between this happening and the other guy whose boarding pass was obtained by someone else and allowed to board in AMS, seems like BA ground staff and/or IT is slightly a bit off.

crazy8534

A full time job it was not, but I was delivering The Extra and then latterly the Glaswegian �round certain parts of Newton Mearns .

Luther.e

Definitely 15, not the most mature 15 year old either and didn�t present himself well even when being spoken to by Border Force - still quite lively, didn�t take it seriously at all. I do work full time at 16 but doubt he had a job as when Border Force asked where his dad lived, the answer he gave was �I�m not sure because he has so many houses�.

IJN Harekaze

What in the name of heck is going on with BA these days? They seem to be making rather an odd number of you-know-whats at the moment with boarding passes issued to the wrong people and now this

KARFA

The one thing I am unclear of, why when someone was being checked in at a neighbouring desk did the agent turn to you at a different desk and ask whether you were together?

and beyond saying no; why get involved at all? It almost read like the check in agent was getting your guidance on the rules about flying as an unaccompanied under 16?

Luther.e

I was checking in with what appeared to be a manager so when the issue arose, her colleague called her over to check if he could fly. They were struggling to explain why he couldn�t travel and she asked if I knew what she was trying to say to explain them which I did. After that they realised I was on the same flight and seemingly linked the bookings even though I said I didn�t know them.

KARFA

You were in Geneva, the passenger was speaking French, and the check in agents needed you to help understand what they were saying? But apparently the same passenger who was struggling to be clear at check in was confident enough to speak to you in the lounge and wangle an upgrade on board?

I still find it bizarre the check in agents referred to you to clarify the rules as well for this person who you had already confirmed had nothing to do with you.

The whole thing gets more odd the more you try and explain it tbh.

NWIFlyer

This.

We're perfectly used to seeing agents relying on Timatic and understanding of internal company policies. On very rare occasions, when a passenger clearly doesn't understand what's being asked of them because of a language barrier, I've pointed to the piece of paperwork in their hand that the agent wants to speed the process up, and only then if it's absolutely clear the other passenger is seeking external help. I can think of much less than a handful of occasions when I've felt it appropriate to do this.

I've never, ever been consulted by an agent on what to do, I wouldn't expect to be, and nor would I think I had more knowledge than him or her. I simply cannot conceive why, when there's potentially the chance of a fine from Border Force or a EC261 claim for IDB, and a consequent reprimand, why an agent would even want a passenger involved.

Ever more curious, indeed.

rockflyertalk

What an odd story. Why are agents asking 16 yr olds for help?!

How weird.

revorgap

I read it that the OP was asked to help with the language barrier, rather than interpretation of the rules.

gingerlucy

But OP says the 15 year old spoke French, and this was in Geneva so surely the check in agents spoke French too? Why was there a language barrier?

(OP, not disputing your version of events at all, but it's a truly weird situation in every way!)

Rubecula

I am not sure a native French speaker would recognise my attempts at French. Strange scenario though.

Luther.e

Rightfully, this has caused some confusion much like it did me and BA although there was probably a better way to explain it.

The language barrier was with the adult who was travelling on the earlier flight and didn�t speak English very well. She was the only one trying to check them in at this stage - the boy was stood back from the desk with his friend.

The staff asked if I understood what they were trying to explain as I was just waiting for the lady checking me in to return. The adult couldn�t understand what the problem was so I asked the boy if he had anything signed from his parents to which he said no and then he begun talking in French with them and after that they come back to me asking if I knew them or not, again I said no and at no point agreed to have my booking linked yet seemingly they did.