Runaway Gets on Flight Without Problem

[Alex T]

http://news.aol.com/story/_a/runaway-ge ... 0000000001


1st.. I cannot believe this made the news.

My Defense for the airline and TSA is this.

She was underage but not a Minor.

Anyone can buy a ticket.

1.You are not required to show an ID when you pay with cash, after all what if your buying for someone else? Your name on the ID, will not be the name on the ticket.

2. She went through security and she was screened like everyone else. Again, she is underage, you are not required to show an ID to go through security underage.

3. Even if she was flagged for SSSS, she wouold still have to go through with it.

She was 15, thats one year under the driving age.

I don't see anything wrong the airline did here, they followed all their procedures, she asked to buy a ticket, and they sold her one. Sure, they may have wondered where her parents were but she was not underage for a flight so no reason to bring it up. Absolutely NO point did an airline feel the need to bring up any concerns or questions.

I have had 2 15 year olds also come up get on flights themselves. They were already pre paid but they still flew by themselves. We do not ask questions, we did not need to verify the ID. They were not of age so not neccesary.

Any Thoughts for this? Disagree with me here, should the airline have done something? Is Parents to blame? I love how MYSPACE was brought into this also which has N-O-T-H-I-N-G to do with this situation at all.

Alex

[PhilDernerJr]

It's uncommon for an underage person to have an ID.

Even if a parent authorizes a flight, how would they confirm this at check-in? Maybe ALL people underage should be considering an unescorted minor?

[Alex T]

It's uncommon for an underage person to have an ID.

Even if a parent authorizes a flight, how would they confirm this at check-in? Maybe ALL people underage should be considering an unescorted minor?

Phil,

Believe it or not, most of the time I asked for an ID from someone who looks 18 or over and they are actually under 18 they say they do not have an ID, and were told it is not require to have an ID.

How do you mean to confirm what at check in? Confirm it was bought by the parent, or even authorized?

Alex

[PhilDernerJr]

Either. It can't be confirmed.

I say either you provide valid ID, or if you're under 18, you are a UM.

[Alex T]

Either. It can't be confirmed.

I say either you provide valid ID, or if you're under 18, you are a UM.

I can agree with that, many, many kids today do not look their age, and I do find it hard to believe sometimes that they don't have an ID. If they are not 18 or over then they have no reason to show me an ID.

For that very reason, then I agree, anyone under the age of 18 is considered a UM, however, think of how many UM travel every day, especially during the summer.

We had in the month of June, for SWA, 1,200 UM's, this counted for 11 and under, I can imagine this would double if we went up to 17 and under. We do not even charge for this service, other airlines I believe do.

It would be quite a task.

Alex

[adam613]

Either. It can't be confirmed.

I say either you provide valid ID, or if you're under 18, you are a UM.

That's a good rule. Especially since the DMV in every state I've ever lived in will issue a non-driver ID to kids as young as 12. (So I'm assuming many if not all states do.)