Easter, here and there

[jay]

Happy Easter, for those who observe it today! :)

After the little ones do their hunt here, we're off to 9am church and then I'll be dropped-off at San Jose airport, headed to Atlanta.

James made it safely, despite being threatened by the airline with the police and placement in a foster home as an "abandoned child" when his uncle's flight to Atlanta was held up in Dallas and my mom had to go to the airport instead... he wound up virtually a prisoner of Northwest for two hours. I was very angry, but at least he's safe now...

Comments

[kineticphoenix.livejournal.com]

That just further confirms my theory that people who work airport security have IQs in the "dull normal" range.

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

I'd be writing a nasty letter to Northwest. I can't believe that was a situation for which they have no procedures, and I highly doubt what they did followed those procedures.

Sheesh. Glad he's safe now.

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

bon voyage! May your travel be much smoother than James', and I hope that each of you are able to savor and appreciate this visit with your dad.

[hopeforyou.livejournal.com]

Last night tenacious_snail gave me a detailed rundown on what happened. Good lord. You really need to sit down and write the airlines a nastygram. Especially since this wasn't his fault -- they held up the plane! That and it seems cruel and unusual treatment, given what he's already dealing with. =(

I also take offense at the entire thing, since he's 8 months away from NW's border, but Southwest allows any minor over 13 to be dropped off without need for a guardian. Basically, the airlines set the age limit, and it's completely arbitrary from what I can tell.

I'd be livid. I think they need to be told what you experienced was unacceptable. And maybe it's time to transfer your points to another airline.

[dancing-star.livejournal.com]

Yep mine have been on many trips without an adult, and it really depends on the airline.

Some of them A at 13 can travel alone, as an adult, where others they can't travel alone without minor status till they turn 18 then any place between.

Glad to hear he made it ok.

[dawnd.livejournal.com]

So much for getting him in under the radar at NW! Did you eventually have to fork over the $120 to get him out of the hoosgow? Nastygram time, for sure.

[bdot.livejournal.com]

actually, with southwest, the age is 12. i tried to get mva to fly as an "unaccompanied minor" just this past friday, and they wouldn't let me. they said that since she is 12 now, she flys as an adult....

so i could literaly just drop her off at the curb side and leave! which of course i would never do.... i think 12 is a little young to fly alone with noone to make sure she gets picked up!

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

I think the NW agent was just having a bad day, and taking it out on us... sigh.

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

Calling the police is only supposed to be their last resort *if they are not able to establish contact* with the recipients of the child. In this case, it was used to threaten and scold the child (!), and to harangue the grandparents. Then after my mom arrived at the airport, when she was unapologetic and firmly asked for her grandson, the agent sent her out in the lobby and called the Atlanta police anyway. Who were annoyed at being bothered and apparently chewed-out the agent, who then grouchily issued the necessary gate-pass.

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

Heh. You saw how *that* went...

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

Nasty letter and time to wave my preferred-customer credentials at someone in management... it was a waste of $75 on the way out. On the return, James told the Delta agent that he was 15 and we had no problems (or added fees :).