Accompanied Children
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: In transit
Age: 70
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I'm shocked at the comment regarding SAA's releasing the kids into the public arrivals area, as that is indeed the most vulnerable point of all. Whilst on the a/c they can't go anywhere or really get up to much.
A couple of times when my son has travelled he's been held in a secured area (not in SA) until the nominated Escort on Arrival has been identified and has signed the documents. In one case, his mother and I went together to fetch him, but because she was the only named Escort on Arrival, I was not allowed into the secure area with her. I think this is absolutely correct and made me feel very secure when he travelled as a UM.
A couple of times when my son has travelled he's been held in a secured area (not in SA) until the nominated Escort on Arrival has been identified and has signed the documents. In one case, his mother and I went together to fetch him, but because she was the only named Escort on Arrival, I was not allowed into the secure area with her. I think this is absolutely correct and made me feel very secure when he travelled as a UM.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Hampshire
Age: 74
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HandOver of One's Gene Pool
Just to add to the stories...
First, we had very good experience of UM travel for both ours from age 11 when we lived in Korea (before the days of the BA non-stops). Timing meant that I chose to book them on CX LHR-HKG + HKG-SEL on the principle that if the incoming flight to HKG arrived late, at least they would be deemed to still be a CX problem. We never had any difficulties, and still have memories of glimpsing though the security doors at Kimpo a small bottle-green blazer clad young man pointing imperiously at his suitcase on the carousel as it was heaved off by the ground staff who 'caught' him... and then brought him to us, and asked us to sign for him (!).
Same son also flew KlogAir back via AMS when CX were on strike, and was well looked after… bored crew on a Combi took him all round the aircraft to see the freight and the Captain, and he was whisked through Schipol for his connecting flight to LHR on one of those electric carts by KL’s resident F1 driver, scattering little old ladies the while. This was reported to be a “seriously cool” bit of the journey.
Later trips when they were older, and if it was a day when the BA non-stop didn't operate, were via NRT... LHR-NRT by BA, NRT-SEL by KE... but a long stop of the BA Airport Manager being given a heads up they were coming through, and one of his ground ladies inevitably met them and walked them over to the KE desk... we still have a wonderful fax from Irokawa-san: "No harm can become your beloved children as they pass through Narita."
Final anecdote. After we moved to Germany, our by then 14 year old daughter, of petite build and demeanour, flew BA LHR-HAM, all on her own of course, although Mrs GemDeveloper was waiting for her groundside. There she was accosted by a Very Fierce (German), BA lady ground stew, who marched Mrs GD back though the security doors and Customs men, peremptorily waving them aside, to come to collect her daughter, the BA ground stew clearly having not looked at our daughter’s passport and checked that she wasn’t about 10. Happy days.
First, we had very good experience of UM travel for both ours from age 11 when we lived in Korea (before the days of the BA non-stops). Timing meant that I chose to book them on CX LHR-HKG + HKG-SEL on the principle that if the incoming flight to HKG arrived late, at least they would be deemed to still be a CX problem. We never had any difficulties, and still have memories of glimpsing though the security doors at Kimpo a small bottle-green blazer clad young man pointing imperiously at his suitcase on the carousel as it was heaved off by the ground staff who 'caught' him... and then brought him to us, and asked us to sign for him (!).
Same son also flew KlogAir back via AMS when CX were on strike, and was well looked after… bored crew on a Combi took him all round the aircraft to see the freight and the Captain, and he was whisked through Schipol for his connecting flight to LHR on one of those electric carts by KL’s resident F1 driver, scattering little old ladies the while. This was reported to be a “seriously cool” bit of the journey.
Later trips when they were older, and if it was a day when the BA non-stop didn't operate, were via NRT... LHR-NRT by BA, NRT-SEL by KE... but a long stop of the BA Airport Manager being given a heads up they were coming through, and one of his ground ladies inevitably met them and walked them over to the KE desk... we still have a wonderful fax from Irokawa-san: "No harm can become your beloved children as they pass through Narita."
Final anecdote. After we moved to Germany, our by then 14 year old daughter, of petite build and demeanour, flew BA LHR-HAM, all on her own of course, although Mrs GemDeveloper was waiting for her groundside. There she was accosted by a Very Fierce (German), BA lady ground stew, who marched Mrs GD back though the security doors and Customs men, peremptorily waving them aside, to come to collect her daughter, the BA ground stew clearly having not looked at our daughter’s passport and checked that she wasn’t about 10. Happy days.
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Step son used to regularly fly Gatwick to Tenerife with BA from the age of 5. He was always well looked after, (actually rather spoilt). He even got to visit the cockpit a few times (I think this was probably just before 9/11).
From the age of 7 one of the Charter flights took him from Bristol. They were pretty rubbish. Abandoned him in the gate. I believe on at least one flight he was boarded and seated before anyone realised that he was a unaccompanied minor.
From the age of 7 one of the Charter flights took him from Bristol. They were pretty rubbish. Abandoned him in the gate. I believe on at least one flight he was boarded and seated before anyone realised that he was a unaccompanied minor.
