United loses a 10 year old in ORD
Aug 14, 2012, 12:37 pm
#61
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Right, and if that fails? JMHO, but a 10-year-old should be told how to take things into his or her own hands if needed -- even if that just means using a payphone. It's really not that complicated.
Aug 14, 2012, 12:51 pm
#62
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Lawyers from headquarters? Juries in small-claims court? Sorry, this isn't generally how the U.S. legal system works....
Aug 14, 2012, 1:05 pm
#63
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Maybe it's because I'm not looking for them, but I don't remember the last time I saw a pay phone in an airport. Even if they are there, I don't think it would be advisable for a 10-year old to wander through an airport looking for them.
Aug 14, 2012, 1:32 pm
#64
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According to the letter, the child asked the flight attendants three times if she could use a phone to call her parents, and she was told to wait.
Maybe it's because I'm not looking for them, but I don't remember the last time I saw a pay phone in an airport. Even if they are there, I don't think it would be advisable for a 10-year old to wander through an airport looking for them.
Maybe it's because I'm not looking for them, but I don't remember the last time I saw a pay phone in an airport. Even if they are there, I don't think it would be advisable for a 10-year old to wander through an airport looking for them.
Aug 14, 2012, 1:33 pm
#65
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I think payphones are around. I suppose it depends on the kid, but I think most 10-year-olds would be capable of finding the nearest one. Anyway, the point was training the child to handle any issues in the off chance something goes wrong.
Aug 14, 2012, 1:43 pm
#66
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The problem with the pay phone idea is that the child has to stay with an employee who is usually an FA or GA so they will not be able to go looking for one. At least if the child has a cell phone he/she can make a call no matter where they are. There are prepaid phones without contracts available now.
Aug 14, 2012, 1:51 pm
#67
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The problem with the pay phone idea is that the child has to stay with an employee who is usually an FA or GA so they will not be able to go looking for one. At least if the child has a cell phone he/she can make a call no matter where they are. There are prepaid phones without contracts available now.
Aug 14, 2012, 2:00 pm
#68
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Most summer camps do not allow mobile phones. Although it is now common for 10 year olds to have phones, you are told to have your child leave there's at home. A lot of I would have done this or he should have done that but truthfully, who really believes an airline is going to screw up like this with your kid. It's not common
Aug 14, 2012, 2:14 pm
#69
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I'm going to post the same comment here I put on the article and on Facebook.
Why did the parents not give the child a cell phone? Even a pre-paid one with only a few minutes on it?
I am not absolving United of blame here, it would seem mistakes were made. But anyone with half a brain (especially if one person is a Premier member) knows flight delays happen. Why make it harder for the child to get in touch with the parents in case anything goes wrong? They were relying on third parties to inform them of their child's progress and that sounds like bad parenting to me.
Why did the parents not give the child a cell phone? Even a pre-paid one with only a few minutes on it?
I am not absolving United of blame here, it would seem mistakes were made. But anyone with half a brain (especially if one person is a Premier member) knows flight delays happen. Why make it harder for the child to get in touch with the parents in case anything goes wrong? They were relying on third parties to inform them of their child's progress and that sounds like bad parenting to me.
Aug 14, 2012, 2:16 pm
#70
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Aug 14, 2012, 2:24 pm
#71
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I'm going to post the same comment here I put on the article and on Facebook.
Why did the parents not give the child a cell phone? Even a pre-paid one with only a few minutes on it?
I am not absolving United of blame here, it would seem mistakes were made. But anyone with half a brain (especially if one person is a Premier member) knows flight delays happen. Why make it harder for the child to get in touch with the parents in case anything goes wrong? They were relying on third parties to inform them of their child's progress and that sounds like bad parenting to me.
Why did the parents not give the child a cell phone? Even a pre-paid one with only a few minutes on it?
I am not absolving United of blame here, it would seem mistakes were made. But anyone with half a brain (especially if one person is a Premier member) knows flight delays happen. Why make it harder for the child to get in touch with the parents in case anything goes wrong? They were relying on third parties to inform them of their child's progress and that sounds like bad parenting to me.
Aug 14, 2012, 2:25 pm
#72
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Aug 14, 2012, 2:34 pm
#73
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A United spokesperson told NBC News on Tuesday that they have reached out to the Klebahns to apologize, and the airline is redepositing the miles used to purchase the ticket into Perry Klebahn's frequent flier account. The airline is also refunding the $99 unaccompanied minor charge.
"What the Klebahns describe is not the service we aim to deliver to our customers," United spokesperson Joe Micucci said in a statement.
"What the Klebahns describe is not the service we aim to deliver to our customers," United spokesperson Joe Micucci said in a statement.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Aug 14, 2012 at 4:16 pm Reason: merge
Aug 14, 2012, 2:44 pm
#74
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The last time I saw a kid get tragically separated in an airport, he mistakenly ended up on a plane to NYC, where he stayed at the Park Plaza hotel and foiled the Sticky Bandits robbery attempt at Christmas!
Couldn't help myself.
Couldn't help myself.