10 year old goes missing after flying alone (she was found)

[Anonymous]

Source:  www.everydayfamily.com

At what age is it appropriate to let a child fly alone on an airplane? This is the newest debate after Annie and Perry Klebahn’s 10-year-old daughter, Phoebe, missed her United Airlines plane connection because the third-party unaccompanied minor service representative had “simply forgotten to show up.”

Phoebe’s parents “only knew their daughter did not make it when her summer camp in Michigan called to say she hadn’t arrived.”

Once she was discovered “missing,” it took an additional hour to find her!

“Apparently when the flight landed, she asked the flight attendants for help, but they told her they were busy and she needed to wait. She also asked thrice for access to a phone to call her parents, but was allegedly also told to wait.”

This is not the first time an airline has failed to provide sufficient care of an unaccompanied minor, and it probably won’t be the last. Her parents could have purchased a direct flight, or provided her with a cell phone for this trip; regardless, the main point is that this unaccompanied minor was, well, unaccompanied!

At what age would you allow your child to fly on a plane unaccompanied?

I would have made sure my child had a cell phone and would only be on a direct flight if at all possible.  I would never trust strangers to care for my child in a busy airport. 

[Anonymous]

If I remember correctly, you have to pay extra for that service.  It is the airlines fault.

[Love060708kids]

They add a fee to have someone guide her.  I was flying with my sister across country from Washington State to New Hampshire when I was 6 and my sister was 2.  No joke.  Of course, this was the early 90s.  Yes, we were on a direct flight.  

I think my children could fly unaccompanied when they are at least in high school...LOL

[sheena696]

Obviously it is the airlines fault. I do think that the parents should have definitely had her take a cell phone with her for something like this, but they are not at fault for the airline not doing what they were paid to do. 

[Redwoods_Mama]

Ten?  She was probably confused and scared. 

 

I think her parents should have given her a phone, and am shocked they didn't. 

[heresjohnny]

So let me get this straight. The unaccompanied minor representative FORGOT TO SHOW UP, and now it's somehow the parent's fault? It was the airline's job, and they didn't do it. No one is to blame here but the airline.

[RobsPrincess24]

I think 10 is pretty young to fly alone. I didn't fly by myself until I was in my 20's and it was nerve wracking. LOL. I think it's extremely messed up that the unaccompanied minor service forgot to show up. Isn't that their JOB?? I do think the parents should have prepared her better though. When my SKIDS fly (which is always by themselves), I make sure they know which flight to get on and how to read the screens that show which gate they need to go to. I also make sure they know to pay attention so if the gate changes, they can get to the right one. They have a cell phone at all times. It gets turned off the entire flight and turned on the second they land. They are to call me at every landing.

[TAG_ur_it]

my SD will start flying unaccompaned when she goes home after spring break.  she's 7. 

[boldrumble]

Tje airline is at fault. Just like if your child goes missing ona field trip...it is the schools fault. i flew alone at 5 yrs old, but it was a direct flight.

[Anonymous - Original Poster]

Quoting boldrumble:

Tje airline is at fault. Just like if your child goes missing ona field trip...it is the schools fault. i flew alone at 5 yrs old, but it was a direct flight.

Do you remember how you felt flying alone?

[Anonymous]

Over Christmas break, my 7 year old niece flew from Texas to Germany alone. But, her mom was smart enough to get her a direct flight. Also, an airline employee did walk her from the plane to her waiting grandmother.