Airline Allegedly Loses Track of Unaccompanied 12-Year-Old
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- Опубликовано: 6 июл 2022
- A 12-year-old girl was left all alone in an airport while on her way to visit her dad. Under the airline's unaccompanied minor program, children are supposed to be accompanied off the plane by a flight attendant until handed off to a parent. When her flight landed in Miami, the flight attendant allegedly just waved goodbye, leaving the girl all alone. Thankfully, her father was able to direct her to baggage claim so he could meet her. Her mother says she was told the flight attendant has been suspended.
This is crazy I remember flying as a child multiple times and they wouldn’t let me out of their sight. They introduced me to the crew even the captain knew a minor was flying alone. They made sure I was with an adult at pick up asked me questions about the adult before they let me go
Yeah I remember them being very strict about the whole policy, that was pre-pandemic though
@@Skatekliq It was before diversity hires where you don't have to be qualified or even responsible.
@@Skatekliq what pandemic?
@@zekko600 bro woke up from a coma 😭
@@kikomoreno1722 😭
As someone who always flew unaccompanied it’s scary even when you’re not lost. The poor girl! There’s nothing worse then ending up alone and young in a strange place.
I feel ya😭 I was one as a child😭😭 now I am too clingy when it comes letting my children go anywhere without me😬
Poor girl? She is a fighter. She is a warrior.
@@mkhanman12345 not to mention smart. she knew to call her dad and ask for help. she was present of mind even in a moment of fear.
That's why they shouldn't do it. My mother would have flown with me and flown back if she had to smh
@@Tiffany_titus213 smart my ass, as a 13 yo i wouldnt have left the flight attendant if i didnt know where i was going in the first place, as a parent u might think shes smart but it was dumb to just leave the flight attendant
I can't even imagine how scared she was. This is totally unacceptable and I hope this mom has a good lawyer.
Never had 1K likes. Ty all!
Now they going to go back to having an adult with the children because parents want to sue for any reason
It’s literally the parents fault though
@@serbiancountryballs how?🤦🏻♂️ you literally pay for somebody to take care of your child
@@tonyc4612 but it’s just parents’ fault for letting her child fly alone. They knew what could happen but they still let her go
@@serbiancountryballs Why? Because they separated?
JetBlue sat a child next to me in the 90s to Orlando. Didn't have a lanyard, didn't escort him. I stuck with the boy through terminals, tram and baggage claim until we found his family. I would NEVER trust these unaccompanied minor programs.
As a camp counselor for summer break, I learned right off the bat in training to NEVER LEAVE A MINOR ALONE. You’d think this flight attendant would know the same but clearly they didn’t. That’s really unacceptable of how that happened. I’m happy the kid is safe and with her father.
It’s the parents fault they should of paid a few hundred dollars for a round trip, got on the plane with their kid made sure they made their destination safe. Geez people never hold parents accountable anymore letting a 12 year old child travel alone is insane
I wouldn't let my kid fly alone I would tag along, there r evil predators looking for their prey.
@@devinsilva2102 you gonna pay for the ticket ? Not all families can afford ya know, the airline shouldve taken care of the kid as they should do, if they can’t they should say they can’t
The mother had no right sending her by herself. Period. It’s common sense.
@@joesh3891 It's not the airlines child it's the parents child
I don’t trust anyone when it comes to my kids…
Glad she is okay and no one kidnapped her.
don't trust random people period
That's why people don't trust you
@@internettroll4.8bviews2sec5 Bro what
@@Milk-ck1wv what bro
@@internettroll4.8bviews2sec5 no
My first time on an airplane when was I was 11 and I was unaccompanied. No airport staff helped me or kept watch over me. However, several kind passengers did and I was lucky that they took the time out of their day to guide me to where I needed to go, even staying around to make sure I got to my family safely. I honestly can't imagine what it would've been like to be completely alone at that age.
Thank God there wasn't a pedo Pete in the pack or as they say a wolf in the sheep's clothing
Did your parents sign you up to be in the unaccompanied minor program? It is not automatic and there is a fee.
@@hometreasuresii They did not. In their defense, they probably didn't know it existed. But they pretty much sent me on my way thinking I was smart enough to figure it out. "Just follow the signs" they said... "And if you get lost just ask the nice airport staff to help you" 🥴
@@Lia-zg5qd Wow.
Parents should just not let their kids travel alone relying on a stranger that can't wait to finish their shift. Come on, why have you left your kid at first place?
If no parent reached out to the lost child, then i feel like it's a solid sign that some people aren't using empathy for others, even kids. It's heartaching.
I think sometimes even if people notice something doesn’t seem right, they’re afraid to reach out to a strange child. Like, worried that others will mistake them for being a creeper if they try to talk to a child they don’t know.
I think all adults need training on how to handle a situation like that so they can intervene with confidence.
Oh man. I'm a pilot and I know this is unacceptable. When I was a single pilot in this little airline that flies twin pistons. I made damn sure to always keep track of unaccompanied minors when they were on my flights. I can't even begin to imagine how that looks.
Not related but what's your coolest pilot story
Until what age can we fly alone?
@@orfeoofelo9306 until??! I think you mean what’s the minimum age for a child to use this program and I’m guessing it either varies by State, Airline Company OR both! 🧐
Ooooh, a pilot......my kind of guy.
@@tembel1567 You know one of the coolest things that I never expected from this career was being able to meet a lot famous people and politicians on my flights. You'd be surprised how often celebrities and famous government officials fly regular scheduled flights. I've flown David Blaine, the film crew of the Black Panther 2 and the Authority General of a state. And those have just been the famous people I have recognized. I pay attention during disembarking and at the gate, who is sitting around and every once in a while I find someone. I think the passengers think I'm crazy just looking around and looking at them before heading off to get the plane ready but trust me. I like getting a sense on who's flying with me on the flight.
I have had to send my daughter numerous times on flights. You actually pay for them to have someone watching them.i would hold my breath until I knew she was picked up by my sister, I can't imagine that families' panic. I'm so sorry to those parents for their scare.
Either you have the largest lung capacity or your daughter is on short flights
@@Dr.SmegmaJones Fool how is that relevant?
@@bxi1547 It's not. That's why he's a damn fool
@@Dr.SmegmaJones 💀
I mean the airport is probably the safest place to lose a child...
There is just no freaking way I'd allow my daughter to travel alone.
She's lucky to live in a time when we can carry phones on us, instead of having to hunt down a payphone . . . which wouldn't be useful to her dad who wasn't at home at the time. So glad she's okay.
I worked at United Airlines, and half of my 1 month training was on UNMR (unaccompanied minors). They’re more important than your first class passengers. This can’t happen!!
I was gonna say maybe the flight attendant was new and just made a rookie mistake but after seeing ur comment yeah even if u were new that would not happen
Based on my experience flying with United by myself when I was 16 years old, your comment makes me glad that an airline actually trains its employees on UNMR.
Out of all the airlines I’ve boarded from age 12 to 17 (I’m now 19 turning 20 as of this comment), United was the best airline that took care of me.
Also as an unaccompanied minor you can’t check-in online or an airport kiosk. Only with a real person. I personally didn’t like dealing with UNMR’s because the paperwork is a lot and redundant and you can’t make any mistakes. Then you have to call the gate agent and let them know to expect you in case you don’t show up… etc. Then you go home after work and wonder if that child actually made it 😂
Yeah, sorry. United Airlines did this to my son.
@@amazingwinner5002 even a new or rookie flight attendant has been through extensive training. this should have never happened under any circumstances
Damn ..I'm glad she's okay!
I didn't start flying alone until I was 28 lol, can't imagine getting on a plane at a much younger age.
Ok
Bro you over 18 you think somebody gonna snatch you up get big lol
same
i flew the first time alone when i was 5
That’s nothing to brag about that’s embarrassing
Given the whole fiasco going on with the airlines today, I'm surprised any parent would send a young child unaccompanied on a flight.
I agree. They have more faith in the system than I do.
Exactly…I wouldn’t
@@vsanchez7158 cuz it's fine, I flew around under 10 just fine
I would never in a million years let my kids fly alone as unaccompanied minors. I have never understood how it's even allowed.
neither do I, it's illogical
Same. Wayyyyyyy too scary !!!
@@ue9r6 such an unfair assumption. take your head out the clouds
@@ue9r6 there’s other factors that play into things like this. if the flight attendants did their jobs then things like this wouldn’t happen. also when you’re an unaccompanied minor there’s a fee it’s not like you just magically get taken care of.
@@erinforte4381 sorry to be so rude by saying this... but.... it happens is correct. Who would let their child go on a plane or anything like that without being by their side. I mean seriously... A real parent would of went with the child instead of trusting strangers to do it for them.
I’m not so sure having little kids wondering around with a sign that says “unaccompanied minor” on it is such a good idea. I just worry about people that prey on children. An unaccompanied minor seems like a pretty easy target
Exactly....
It is . But for some reason people still do it
Totally, and back in my day they were a bright purple around your neck, super obvious.
agree but its the airport, very hard to get in and out without proof actually. Like she obviously cant board any flight with any other adult and she cant leave the terminal without proof of the accompanied adult. it is actually very safe to have her wear it as airport staff pay extra due diligence to those kids. (it failed here obviously)
Not all airlines do it this way.... I am actually shocked on how AA handle UMs
That is real scary.
The Flight Attendant just straight up said ok bye bye ur on ur own.
The child could've been kidnapped.
Thank god she is okay.
Edit: What the actual f**k has my reply section turned into. Also thx for 1k likes.
God is amazing
Suspended? Should have been FIRED!
She's not 4 or 5yo. She got lost for a few minutes in a big airport full of security and with a cell phone on her . It's not that crazy. U guys watch too many movies.
Tbh isn't that what the mother said?
@@alis05 Yeah but Taken was a good movie! 😂
I can NEVER UNDERSTAND why parents let their children fly alone. We all know the "what if," and they do happen, and parents still let their kids travel alone.
My parents divorced when I was 2. I started flying by myself at 3 years old. They usually don't lose kids lol
I'll never understand, either!!!
Think about it this couple was probably divorced meaning the kid travels between them every now and then the parent may not be able to afford to travel with her all the time
It not as bad as it seems but the parent should prepared her. I would have told my daughter not to exited the plan until the staff person was with her.
Yep
I remember flying alone at 12, it was a great experience! I had a connecting flight and the staff walked me to a little room with snacks and games where I waited for the next flight with other kids!!! I’m glad the girl is okay :)
Yeah, I remember that too!
What airline was it?
I can't imagine the panic of the father getting those texts.
I'm glad she not only had a cell phone but knew bout face time to. That way her father was able to tell her to follow the baggage claim signs too. Glad Everything ended well 4 this family. Shame on this flight attendant besides the Airlines too.
Sounds like a parenting problem if you put responsibilities for your self to someone else
@@militaryjunkie6207 That's why I do everything myself and never expect anyone to do their job properly. Military don’t know anything. That’s why I do my own defense program!
@@ABC-pw5fq every 12 year old has a phone and knows about face time, do you live under a rock?
Thank God she had a phone to call her dad. That little girl could've been easily kidnapped or involved in human trafficking. I hope the parents sue who ever left that girl all by herself. They just lucky she's safe
Man I always thought it was soo weird that kids could fly alone ?? That’s always been crazy to me.
and crazy to me that greedy airlines make baby-sitting a part of the flight attendant's job along with their other responsibilities.
First time my brother and I flew alone I was 13 and he was 11
I don’t think so
except they're not alone, they're taken care of by flight attendants. i went to nigeria to meet my dad in 2016 when i was 15 as an unaccompanied minor and it was safe and fine
It's not weird, I flew alone around under 10
Imagine trusting ur child with strangers that work at an airline… and putting a sign around their neck that says “I’m alone, kidnap me!”
You can’t trust people.
I think maybe we should work towards a plan 100 years from now where each person each year has their specific task of that year extracted from a library of files prepared 100 years in advance by everybody working together. We will make sure it's not so much and nobody will get to take on more responsibility. Rules about how to do things at an airport should be prepared bottom up 100 years in advance, not decided by the company because it's their property.
This makes me feel so glad that my parents always picked Emirates or Qatar whenever I travelled as an unaccompanied minor. I remember the flight attendants never left me alone and always made sure I was comfortable.
True that! Etihad too
I remember flying alone as a child once, and they took such good care of me. I remember being taken into a private lounge and they fed me and everything. And someone always walked me where I needed to go. How unfortunate that this had to happen. I'm glad the girl is okay.
Hello Heather
@@jamesarnold7331 Hello creeper
@@jamesarnold7331 ummm
Mistakes and accidents happen.
Same. I was taken such good care of. I was 11 at the time and it was my first time flying. They checked on me every 10 minutes and fed me a bunch of food. When the flight was over they took me to my guardian and made sure I was safe with them before leaving.
I worked for airlines for 16 years. This happens way more than it should.
Really, so have I and I’ve never seen this happen. There’s so much protocol around UMs, not sure why this would ever happen.
When did they start doing this by the way? When i was 12 in 2011 I never received a tag or special interest when i was an unaccompanied minor. That was the only time I ever flew alone
@@boi5599 I started working for the airlines in the 1990's. It was already an established procedure in 1996 (Continental and Delta for sure). I also ended up in Customer Service and that's how I know it doesn't always work the way is supposed to 🥺
😢
WHAT??!! WHY??? ISN'T there a flight attendant who is assigned to take the child to the parent??
I can't imagine any reason to send a child / minor on a flight alone what would all the creeps out there. Just the title of this video made my heart drop and I have to see if she was safe or still lost. Thank God she's all right.
Glad she is safe
I hope u have a bad day
How cleaver of the dad to facetime with her and that way lead her through the airport!!! I am so glad that everything turned out well.
Good thing he knew the airport well. I'd hate for it have been a connecting airport that the minor was transiting through.
@@gorillaau he didn’t, he just followed the signs from her screen
@@heyitsally7995 And how many times have you found an airport sign or train station sign thats wrong or misleading?
I don't know if I could have led someone like that through an airport that I don't know.
the dad never had a cleaver tho
@@aru-YT really
Same exact thing happened to me with American Airlines back when I was around 8 or 9. Once I got off the plane, it was just me on my own. Nobody accompanied me. I somehow navigated my way through the airport, even took a shuttle, and managed to reach baggage claim. After I grabbed my bag, I had no idea I had to walk outside, so I just stayed there until security let my uncle in.
That’s so sad they left you alone at such a young age. 8 years old? And you did all of that without an adult noticing and calling airport staff. 🤦🏾♀️
Omg me too! I just commented my story. I was 12 and it was the Atlanta airport. It's been over 25 years and I still think about that every time I go to the airport. It might have something to do with my fear of flying lol.
@@SonjaUnapologetic I know! I just asked/followed other people that were on the same flight. The ONLY time someone from the airport helped was when I wouldn't exit the baggage claim area, and my uncle came storming in with security saying he's been waiting for me forever.
I was 12 alone on about a 2,000 mile flight, no one helped me out and I didn't need it, if you can read and write and count, your fine.
@@OriginalMeanGirl It was honestly ridiculous. I was such a small scrawny child too. Easily could have ended up kidnapped. This was in Florida.
I didnt know you had to wear a badge saying youre an unaccompanied minor! Ive traveled many times as a child and at 16 traveled across the country alone with no badge at all. This is great theyre taking it serious!
Smart Dad and even smart little Daughter❤. Navigating her through the Airport is really great. Glad to see nothing more happened. 🇩🇪
I never liked the idea of sending your minor children on flights alone even under the guidance of flight attendants. I think children should always fly with their parents or guardian.
I'm a minor and have been on flights by myself before, it's honestly not bad at all. You just gotta know how to navigate through an airport
Sometime they don’t have a choice, such as myself.
@@shrek_is_life_6974 exactly, I thought it would end horrifically but it was honestly fine.
Everything dont always end terrible.
Run the likes up on this comment. These fancy Miami and Chattanooga parents were to overwhelmed and "busy" to transport their own child.
Why would you allow your kid to go ALONE?!
I flew unaccompanied a few times and I got to say Alaska was always amazing. They had a flight attendant with us at all times, the pilot himself came out and introduced himself, and everyone was so helpful and kind. It is terrifying flying by yourself, but they made it easier. I can't imagine the fear if both the parents and the kid when she was lost.
Who the hell would let their child fly ALONE.
That is insane! I remember flying from Salt Lake City to Miami when I was 8. I remember the flight attendant checking in with me constantly before boarding and on the flight. When we landed, my dad had been there waiting for me. I was about to run and hug my dad when the captain held me back and asked my father questions and for identification. Then he let me go with my dad. That is insane and irresponsible on part of the airline. They charge you for that as well.
Hello Milena
Hello Milena
@@jamesarnold7331 hello James the bot
@Rachael Shayna Nelson why? Will they start digging holes?
Where's Salt lake?
I’m truly grateful this didn’t happen to me when I was young and went to see my grandmother alone. My sister dropped me off at the airport, the flight attendant was absolutely amazing he made me feel so comfortable knowing I’ve never flown before. He constantly walked down the aisle to the back to check up on me. He also gave me free snacks for the flight since I had only brought $10 and it wasn’t enough to buy much. It’s not hard to do your job correctly, with care and pride when you enjoy what you do. I’m glad to hear that that flight attendant received consequence for their actions, this could’ve ended a lot worse, that person is lucky the daughter had a phone on her
Hello Cassidy
@@jamesarnold7331James you’re saying hello to everyone on this video..you’re being weird James don’t be weird
@@D00LEY356 nah it ain't weird.... unless you're reading it in a edp445 slow creepy gonna get a cupcake voice.
otherwise it's fine saying hello to everyone
it also very bad parenting to leave your 12 year old at and airport even with a advisor
I am grateful too🥰
I bug tf out at busy airports and I’m 23. I can only imagine how anxious and frightened she was, poor thing. I’m glad she’s ok 💛
These days…. I would never send my child on a plane alone! I would have to be with them no matter what.
Can’t imagine flying alone at that age. Thank God she has a phone and could easily get in touch with her dad
Hello Pazzie
I agree!
not only the flight attendant, but also the airport employee should be questioned as well...
Who would let a 12 year old fly by themselves 🤦🏿♀️🤦🏿♀️
glad it was just Home Alone 2 and it didn't turn into Taken. trafficking stuff is real and real sick from the people that do it so glad she is safe
Home alone but without the money bag
@Cory Conrad even more ironic considering how American Airlines was the reason why he got lost too in that movie. Awkward.
@Cory Conrad thanks for the save yeah, Home Alone 2 at the airport yeah
My child started flying alone at 13. Never had a tag, but it was a 3 hour direct flight, and she had made that flight with us at least a dozen times, and knew the airport she was headed to. Was I a basket case?? Yes. She’s 22 now and I still get nervous!
I’m just glad everything turned out well for this family.
Good.
Wow I'm 25 but i still cannot fly alone
In poor South American, Asian and African areas, young girls walk 10 miles in the jungle to make it to elementary school. U guys gonna be alright.
@@gupta8554 I hate it myself, but child loves it.
@@gupta8554 lol dw, I’m 26 and I wouldn’t fly alone 😛
My son always flies to pick up his kids for the summer, and flies with them back to deliver to their mother. He will NOT let them travel alone. Who on earth thinks it's safe to put an "unaccompanied minor" tag on their child. That is inviting kidnapping!
Maybe the tag was used to let people know when the child alone, in hope they will help the child.
Why would you have your child fly alone ever?? Never understood that
I didn’t start flying alone until I was 21, and even that was nerve racking. I can’t imagine being 12 and having to navigate that alone. Shame on the airline for simply waving her off. I hate being one to say “they should sue!” , but in this case I don’t think it would be unreasonable. Their daughter could have been kidnapped or seriously injured. Thankfully she wasn’t.
I agree, they should sue. I don’t advocate for frivolous lawsuits either but when it comes to children they were negligent.
she wasn't alone she was face timing her dad for direction but still risky
Wow, when I was 18 I had gone up to San Francisco from LA with my friends for a football game and for some reason we'd picked up one more person and there wasn't room for us all to get back. I had them drop me off at the airport without a ticket, just a blank travel pass I'd gotten from my pilot father. Flights were sold out and I was stuck but from looking at the time table I discovered there was a flight that went SFO-Sacramento-Merced-Visalia-LAand booked myself on that which I don't think anyone had ever done before, lol. But I was an airline kid and knew my mother had worked that route as a stewardess back in the DC-6 days so I thought to check if it was still operating in the mid 1970s and it was!
I would at least ask for the unaccompanied minor fee be refunded. They charge between one and two hundred for that each way depending on the airline.
First time I was 10, then 13, 15 and 17. I love languages and would travel abroad during summer to take language classes. I never had an issue but I understand is not for everyone.
As a someone who was separated from my parents by war as a child, there’s nothing anyone could tell me or convince me to put my child in a flight by themselves😭 I am glad she reunited with her dad. Please travel with your kids few hundred bucks isn’t worth the fear in your child’s heart. Kids love traveling somewhere else but the second you leave and they start seeing unfamiliar faces only that’s when fear starts.
👍🏼
👍👍👍👍👍
Exactly my point!!!
That’s what I was thinking. The mom admitted that this city is known for sex trafficking. The dad should’ve been there an hour earlier. Parents always want to blame others for poor parenting.
That's so true. I would buy a ticket with my child and bring them where they needed to be. Better safe than sorry and no amount of money is worth the chance of something bad happening to my kid because I wasnt there with them. Can't trust other ppl to do the right thing. It only takes one mess up.
I couldn't imagine sending my child alone on a plane to begin with. Why even send your child while unaccompanied. The thought of what happened clearly isn't unbearable when you still sent her alone.
Completely agree!👆👆👏🏼👏🏼
This mom paid a huge fee to have her daughter taken care of. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to go with their kids on a flight to see dad. The flight attendant should have done her job and all the fault lies in her, not the parents trying to share custody of their daughter.
@@ellystoy8424 nope. I dont care who you pay. It's your responsibility to not put your child in unsafe situations. Sending a child alone on public transportation is an unsafe situation. The comments on this video alone prove it. If you have the luxury to "pay a huge fee" then you can have the luxury of not making your child travel while alone. Your child's life and saftey should be more important than any reason you want to come up with to put the child in danger. Work? Awe that's unfortunate but I cant risk my child being kidnapped and killed. Funeral? Awe that's unfortunate but I cant risk my child being kidnapped and killed. Wedding? Awe thats unfortunate but I cant risk my child being kidnapped and killed. Afraid of heights? Awe that unfortunate but I cant risk my child being kidnapped and killed. No excuse you say will justify the unnecessary risk to the child. 👌 Parents putting children in unsafe situations is absolutely their fault.
@@puglover8595 I understand where you're coming from, but when you're. A child of separated parents a lot of times there's not other option if you want to see your dad. My dad would drive seven hours to see me once a month, and I started going to his house alone when I was 15. It's not the greatest but there's not other option. My mom couldn't leave her job to stay with me all those days I stayed at his house and paying doble fee to leave me there and then coming back for me was off the charts. The fee they pay to keep the kid accompanied it's nothing compared to another ticket.
@@puglover8595 lol not everyone can accord to buy 4 extra plane tickets to send a kid to another state/country and back. They paid extra to have the cabin crew babysit their kid, it’s not different from getting a nanny or sending your kids to school. I guess by your logic parents should stop sending their kids to daycare, summer camps, and school then? If the teachers lost them it’s still the parents’ fault for not being within 2 metres from them 24/7?
I have to say, bravo to the little girl for calling her dad right away and FaceTiming with him to make sure she was going the right way. I just can’t imagine the terror the mom went through when the airline called her and said they couldn’t find her daughter. I’m so glad this had a happy ending, because it could of been far more tragic.
I couldn't imagine having to send my kid alone and then they lose my kid.
My daughter was held up for a day in Montreal when her flight was cancelled twice this past weekend.
Finally got home to Vancouver at 5:30am.
Tested positive for Covid at home at 5:45am.
She is so sick. Her third bout. All shots.3.
I am caring for her.
Self isolating.
She is 27. Lol.
What if a minor falls ill during travel?
I don’t like the whole idea of kids traveling alone.
The flight attendant already has a job.
There’s the problem, sending you’re kid alone
@@militaryjunkie6207 that's not the problem.. some people should just do their job. you pay them for watching your child. I flew alone a couple of times ( 7 hour flights) and the flight attendants who accompanied were great.
@@texassaxet4893 It's the parents' job, not theirs
@@militaryjunkie6207 u really defending this? they work there and they should know full well they should watch their kids at all times.
Also, she was walking around ADVERTISING that she was an unaccompanied minor!
Hello Clarice
I wouldn’t have let my child, let alone a little girl, go alone on a flight. Parents that split up should always put the child’s safety first, and put their feelings aside.
I flew as an unaccompanied minor for 2.5 years from age 9 until just before I turned 12. Mainly because I was visiting my friends in Florida while my mom was busy. I think for ages 9-11 it's best, as you can adapt to the environment. I believe some airlines put the benchmark at 15 as the minimum age to fly without assistance, but I know for Southwest it's 12. I never had an issue in the many flights I took under the program.
Usually it really isn't a problem if you fly as an unaccompanied minor, they never let me take a single step outside the plane on my own until handing me over to the person picking me up. Even on the plane they checked up on me very frequently and made sure I was ok. Something like this should never have happened but that doesn't mean it isn't safe in general to have your kid fly on their own like this. It sometimes just isn't feasible to stay living close together because you have to move for work or other reasons and flying with the child every time would simply be too expensive for most families
I haven’t seen a lot of minors traveling alone but the few that I’ve seen have been treated poorly by flight attendants. I would never send my kid alone
Poorly how? I mean, they aren’t babysitters. All they do is walk off the plane with the child and hand them to the waiting parent at the gate. It’s really not much.
Minor children should not be flying alone, period. These type of programs should never had been sanctioned.
Agreed
agreed 1000%
Some people don’t have a choice
@@solaris5922 explain
I flew alone when I was a minor and it was no issue. But I suppose I was 16, so difference in maturity there. I’m glad I was able to fly alone to visit my grandparents, while avoiding the hefty bill of flying internationally with a family
i flew alone at 15-16 and i never was given a tag. actually, i was so terrified to go by myself and when i went up to the counter the lady was being extremely rude to me. she saw that i was on the verge of tears and anxious, and continued being rude to me. i ended up starting to cry, and had to get out of line because there were way too many people behind me. i ended up sitting on the floor, full blown breakdown, and i ended up calling my dad to come get me; he actually came and ended up walking me through the airport to get me safely to my flight. he made them aware i was only 15 and full of anxiety going by myself, but they didn't seem to care. my connecting flights i was supposed to have someone meet me at the gate as well. nobody did. and my next flight was in 15 minutes, all the way on the other side of the airport. needless to say, i was running to my next flight, in tears, getting lost twice. i only made that flight by 3 minutes. i was the last one on board.
i wish i would've had a tag like that. i wish airports cared a bit more.
That's awful I'm so sorry.
15 is not that young to fly alone.
Perhaps your dad should have been responsible and brought you to the gate,I as parent did that because they give you a pass to get through customs…. So sorry you had to deal with this
@@novacam2124 it was my first time flying alone and i have diagnosed anxiety disorder. it may not seem like a “big” deal to you, but to me it was. thanks though 👋🏼
@@mirellawentz4688 he wasn’t the one who brought me to the airport; i was dropped off by a friend. my dad was very much responsible in this situation and is at no fault. but thanks!
This is why I'll never let my kids fly without me or other family!! I hope they sue that airline!!! Thank goodness she was safe!!!!
I've flown as an unaccompanied minor, and child they DO NOT let you go anywhere. They will put you with the other unaccompanied minors when there's more than one.
This is insane!!
Not when the kid is 12 or older, at that point they treat them like every other passenger.
I got left alone when I was 16 in the middle of the night outside of LAX. I was traveling from NY to Hawaii to visit my cousins for my 16th birthday present (first time traveling alone, I’m now 31 so this was years ago). My mom paid extra for me to have my own assigned flight attendant to accompany me (I think the same thing this story was talking about). Long story short, I had a layover in LAX, it was around midnight, flight got cancelled to Hawaii. I was escorted to a bench outside of LAX where the buses pull up, and was told to wait till I saw a bus with our flight number on it and it would take me to the hotel our airline booked. Welp 2am pulls around, still no bus, the amount of creepy grown men that have come up to me and sat down trying to talk to me was disgusting and so scary. So I finally lost it, called my mom hysterical that I’ve been alone outside of LAX for hours and I’m scared, she obviously instructed me to go back inside and had me hand my phone over to a staff member, and long story short another airline bumped our airline’s reservations from the hotel (I didn’t know this was a thing) and there was no bus/place for me to go, and they obviously forgot I was outside this whole time. I genuinely thought my mom was going to kill them through the phone, by the grace of god the staff were still alive and breathing after getting off the phone with my infuriated mom lol. So I slept on a bench inside the staff lounge room and when I woke up I had a bunch of jackets on me that staff were putting on me throughout the night to keep me warm I guess? Lol that parts kinda cute, nothing else about this story is though. Oh, and to make it up to me/my family I was offered free McDonald’s breakfast LOL 😂 Yup, that’s a reasonable IOU after putting me in a situation where I could have been kidnapped by sooo many diff people alone outside of a crazy airport like LAX. Sorry for the novel.
DAMN! Yeah that's creepy as hell, some men literally don't care of you're a minor, to them that's not a con that's a pro. Yucky. Yeah the airline screwed you over big time. I would ask for more than a McDonald's breakfast after that 😂 Anyway glad it all ended well though
I got left alone in a mall when I was 5
Super Size?
@@space4166 oh jeez that’s terrible. Glad you’re ok!
@@Damone7653 not sure, I turned it down lol
glad the dad was smart and used facetime to guide her.
Hello Luci
Thank God this child is safe❤️🙏🏾
I’m 30 and get overwhelmed in the airport, that poor girls must’ve been terrified
How do YOU LET A child fly on there own..
This probably happens a lot more than we know of, just that most parents don't take it to the news/social media.
They should, and these employees need to be called out. Who knows how many times this employee has done this before. "Knowing " is wrong. 🤬😡
I traveled internationally at 13, and when we arrived at Newark for a connecting flight, the flight attendant looked at me and said, "you look like you're old enough to know where you're going," and just sent me off. So, yep! It definitely happens, unfortunately.
@Mia ! yep!
Why would we talk about missing kids? Do you know that is a little racist?
Source?
@XM177 🙄
And if she or any other child is walking around the airport alone with an “unaccompanied minor” tag on them it’s a green light to predators.
As someone who flew unaccompanied a lot as a minor. I never once had a flight attendant actually accompany me besides the moment my mom passed me off. Luckily I was 13-15 around the time I was flying unaccompanied so never had any issues with getting lost.
Exactly! For kids who have flown unaccompanied this is not a shocker. I flew by myself since I was 4 and if I had a dime for every time I was “lost” or another child on the same flight was “lost” I’d be a wealthy woman.
Interesting. I only flew "unaccompanied" once when I was 17, and they still passed me around from person to person well. I felt a little funny since I was older, but I wasn't used to flying so I didn't mind the extra protection. They sat me next to another unaccompanied minor on the plane who was like 6. Lol.
It was in the early 2000's, though, and I don't remember wearing a big tag.
I flew alone a few years ago when I was 12, and the way it worked was that if you're 12 or above you're basically considered and adult, no one really guides you. It wasn't too hard though as I had a lot of flying experience and a friend's mom helped me out until security with papers and stuff like that. To be compltely honest I understand it's not the safest thing ever but american parents have a tendency of never letting their child experience independance, which can mess them up when they're older and suddenly have to do stuff like this.
@@willy8638 Maybe it costs extra to get the special attention (like, something you can purchase)? When I flew as an older minor, we paid something extra and they passed me off from one person to the next even though I was 17. Lol. Mine was in the early 2000's, though.
As a mom myself this is terrifying. I'm glad she's safe. That girl must've been scared to death.
Miami is one of the most intimidating airports I’ve ever encountered in the US. The first time I flew American Airlines to Miami I definitely had to ask for assistance and they were rude. They kept telling me to just follow the signs. It’s so intimidating that you just want to get to your location as fast as possible. Definitely glad she’s safe! I’m glad she had a phone.
Hello Jody
@@loria287 hello
@@jamesarnold7331 Hello
@@loria287 well it’s better than United the worlds worst airline
Honestly I can't even imagine the terror that the whole family had to go through but being 12 and left alone in a very busy airport is scary on another level, thank god she is okay and good thinking from her fathers side to keep her on facetime.
I have flown in the past as an unaccompanied minor. And never had this problem. Brave little girl
I've always wondered what kind of parents let their children fly alone, I'd never trust an airline to act as a babysitter -- this must happen on a regular basis.
The airlines can barely manage to keep from losing your bags at the best of times.
Exactly, if you can't trust them with your luggage, what makes them think that they can be trusted with your child???
If there is an emergency the flight attendants will be extremely busy assisting all of the people not trying to keep track of one child. I would never put my child on a plane alone.
It's called court-ordered visitation. I wish I never have to do it, but I do! My ex lives in a different state.
This is NOT something that happens regularly. But it is very scary and unacceptable. It’s pretty surprising because when you’re accompanied by someone whether you’re an adult or not, they’re basically up your behind in the nicest way possible.
@@seleneledezma3543 different departments..
the fact that she had a whole tag around her neck that said "unaccompanied minor" if a person with malicious intent noticed her on her own they could've easily gotten to her and god knows what could happen. What the heck was the flight attendant thinking??
This poor mother. I can’t imagine that phone call. Atleast the dad was there and spoke to the child directly. And I hope they sue American for every penny they can get! This is inexcusable.
Here's a crazy idea - don't let you child fly ALONE and expect there to be zero problems...
If it's your responsibility as a flight attendant to be making sure the child is safe- *How do yo do that* and I truly feel sorry to those parents for that terrifying moment🙏
It’s a parents responsibility to weigh the odds! Parents always looking for someone to do their biding !
@@Drjanetta then the airline shouldn't be advertising that specific program when they couldn't even do their job properly, you don't have to blame the parents on this
@@faveola5932 I agree. The airport should take the blame here, and the flight attendant, not the parents. They were just doing something they thought would be safe and legal. Big mistake! What can people even do nowadays?
@@Drjanetta Bye Karen have a seat
Through out the flight*
Now a days at least one parent should be with the child at all times, not flying alone
Exactly this is horrible parenting
Wow... Thank God this girl is safe!
I don't understand why do airlines allow children to fly with no adult. That's scary.
I used to work for a company that was a subcontractor for American. We would escort unaccompanied minors and passengers that required disability assistance. I am not surprised, vastly understaffed and corporate policy was almost never followed.
This is why I never trusted adults as a child. I taught myself from a young age how to navigate large airports. This ended up being useful because I ended up going to a school out of state when I was 17. I was able to help keep track of some of the younger students when they needed to go home. I always delivered everyone to their gates before going to my own.
You're a good person for watching out for the younger students Ethan! TY
Oh my God , my 12 year old daughter just flew from Washington DC to Charlotte NC and thank God everything went well ! Can imagine what girl’s parents went through .
I was 15 when I was left unassisted...Missed my layover and was so hungry. I was put in an office and told to stay untill family could drive to pick me up. It really is a sign of the times.. Do better already Airlines....
Honestly, you need to plan for these scenarios and explain to your child how to find an employee. Sad that you cannot depend on people to make responsible choices.
Yeah, I was confused that she didn't ask a flight attendant where to go or anything. The dad could have talked to the person she found on FT. I mean, if someone did kidnap her while he was on facetime with him navigating the airport, what would he have done about it on a screen?
Or you could be a responsible parent and go with them instead of trusting strangers.
@@Anna19093 not everyone has the luxury to do that
Not gonna lie, as a former AA employee it was only a matter of time this happened with them. I am just honestly glad she’s okay. This could’ve been a lot worse. I know this procedure really well and usually depending on the airport there was suppose to be another AA employee waiting there to pick her up and escort her to her family.
I was about 1-2 years old when I traveled to Europe alone sent by my parents and I remember there being a flight attendant next to me.What happened here is unacceptable and very dangerous!
This is why my country doesn’t let children go by themselves
they always need a parent or guardian.
I would never send my child on a plane by theirself especially at 12 years old 🤷♀️
No choices u can sfford ticket their and back
Hello, how're you doing.
I’ve been flying alone since I was 6. My mom let TSA know I was traveling alone and I had a person with me every step of the way. I did not move without being under the watch of an airport employee. I met up with a friend of my mom’s who took me outside where I met my family. Never ONCE was I alone. Later on I used a program offered by the airline for a few years before the airline shut down. Not once was a person negligent and let me or any child in the program wander. My brother is about to have his first flight alone at 8 and I’m already worried about him being snatched. This story scares me.
Hello Shayla
I would never ever in this lifetime put my baby on a plane & expect someone else to look out for my child like I know I can.
I'm just over here shocked that people let their kids fly alone. I don't let my kids walk around the block alone.
every time i see a child that even remotely looks like there might not be a parent around I stop and check, how anyone could watch a 12 year old wandering around a busy airport alone and not immediately get the red flag hackles rising is unbelievable,
Hello Connor
Seriously. Did no one see this girl looking lost OR notice the target she was wearing? That was probably so scary for her.
It’s scary navigating the airport alone as an adult, happy she’s safe but that poor baby
The first time I traveled alone I had just turned 12 and was terrified cause it was a 6 hour flight. The flight attendants were super nice and made sure to check on me from time to time. When it was time to get off the plane they grouped up all the kids who were alone with a flight attendant waiting in the airport for us. Brought us to our families and honestly it went better than I thought at the time.
Absolutely no way should a busy airline have the responsibility for vulnerable persons. Parents should have to be with the child at all times. What an intense situation for the parents, the child and the airlines. I would never send a 12 year old on a plane by herself no matter what.
I would never let a child travel alone in a airport. I don't care how safe they say it is.
Seems like negligence to let a 12 yr old travel across several states alone
This happened to my step-daughter, years ago. She wound up diverted to an airport not in the original flight plan, late at night. The airline offered to get her a hotel room "close to the airport" (!!!) - she was 10yo at the time.
After countless, fruitless phone calls, a particularly angry call from grandparents finally solved the problem, and an available seat magically appeared, getting her to her destination. No one with the airline seemed to understand why we were so alarmed & worried for her safety - So sad to see that this still happens...Unbelievable
Airports these days should be less confusing to navigate. I lived in the DFW area for quite some time, and the airport layout was amazing. When you got off at your gate, the baggage claim area was right in front of you (you did have to walk through a door).The claim was very easy to find once you got to the area, because the claim had the gate number on it that corresponded to it. I'm glad that she was able to navigate, and that everything was ok!
When I was a kid I flew unaccompanied minor from Chi to TX multiple times a year since my parents were separated. I flew thru DFW as my mid stop and everytime they took amazing care of me from the moment I got off the plane to when I went on. So sad and worrisome that this family had to go through all of this!!
I'm a father of two children I would never ever send my child alone anywhere. This is on the parents and the flight attendant but mostly on the parents because you're too lazy to take your kid and trying to save some money. Shame on you parents.
That's what l thought. I wouldn't put my child on no flight for whatever reason. Whatever it is, it can wait till they turn 18.
Same I would never !
i agree 100%
Well said. Indeed ,Shame on the parents.
At least find an available family member or even a friend to accompany.
This is terrible. My daughter has been flying alone across the Atlantic since the age of 9 (16 now) between her father and I. The staff have always been fantastic. They walk her to right out the airport and you have to sign to say you have to picked up your child and you have to show ID etc. This is a serious breach. She must of been so scared.