Unaccompanied Minor Fee
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
I guess I missed DL's announcement.
I have used the UM program for my grandchildren, and I appreciate the responsible, caring way the front line folks implement it.
But, at what point does this ratcheting up of fees become rapacious in the public's perspective?
#3
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,400
Wow. That is ridiculous. I think the airlines are playing with fire as they continue to increase fees. The danger is that I think the feds will eventually start to step in and begin to more severely regulate the industry. It will be a nice battle for the lobbyists.
#4
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 240
Yep, has happened in a few industries. Greed takes over until eventually the government steps in and regulates them, then they cry about over regulation.
#7
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: TPA & ATL
Programs: DL PM, USLess air & HHoners
Posts: 1,237
#8
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,850
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Everybody thinks that the particular service they want is too expensive. I'd be interested in some hard facts if anybody has more than a gut feeling abojut what is "too expensive" More likely it's simply making the people who use the service pay for it rather than having it subsidized by all.
UM service is well worth the cost when things go sideways. In IROPS, DL will pay two employees to spend the night with the UM and pick up the tab for the hotels + food. That's because a UM can't stay alone and one employee is asking for trouble. Those employees presumably are paid OT and the people who replace them earn some premium too.
The alternative of charging say $50 and then in IROPS requiring $1,000 or more seems to me to be what people don't want. But, I guess reading this thread, I may be wrong.
UM service is well worth the cost when things go sideways. In IROPS, DL will pay two employees to spend the night with the UM and pick up the tab for the hotels + food. That's because a UM can't stay alone and one employee is asking for trouble. Those employees presumably are paid OT and the people who replace them earn some premium too.
The alternative of charging say $50 and then in IROPS requiring $1,000 or more seems to me to be what people don't want. But, I guess reading this thread, I may be wrong.
#10
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,400
Everybody thinks that the particular service they want is too expensive. I'd be interested in some hard facts if anybody has more than a gut feeling abojut what is "too expensive" More likely it's simply making the people who use the service pay for it rather than having it subsidized by all.
UM service is well worth the cost when things go sideways. In IROPS, DL will pay two employees to spend the night with the UM and pick up the tab for the hotels + food. That's because a UM can't stay alone and one employee is asking for trouble. Those employees presumably are paid OT and the people who replace them earn some premium too.
The alternative of charging say $50 and then in IROPS requiring $1,000 or more seems to me to be what people don't want. But, I guess reading this thread, I may be wrong.
UM service is well worth the cost when things go sideways. In IROPS, DL will pay two employees to spend the night with the UM and pick up the tab for the hotels + food. That's because a UM can't stay alone and one employee is asking for trouble. Those employees presumably are paid OT and the people who replace them earn some premium too.
The alternative of charging say $50 and then in IROPS requiring $1,000 or more seems to me to be what people don't want. But, I guess reading this thread, I may be wrong.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still a Hilton Diamond & Club Cholula™ R.I.P. Super Plats
Posts: 25,415
UA & AA already charge $150. They're just matching the competition.
Southwest only charges $50 each way, limited to nonstop & direct domestic flights only.
IROPS can still happen after a plane leaves the gate, and flights can be diverted.
Southwest only charges $50 each way, limited to nonstop & direct domestic flights only.
IROPS can still happen after a plane leaves the gate, and flights can be diverted.
Last edited by MikeMpls; Mar 3, 2015 at 6:11 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,400
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: DL FO, UA, AA, AsiaMiles, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 7,982
I sure hope the Feds do so.