Leezy I think you will find that a lot of airlines charge for UM's these days. If the parents are too cheap to pay for it (and a lot are) then why should the airline have to take the blame? I believe BA charge and I know the US carriers do. If they didn't help an UM does that make their treatment appaling or does it make the parent irresponsible? As an aside I see you mention that the 8year old had to carry her bags between terminals, so her parent/guardian didn't book her a through ticket either.