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From your tone, I'll assume you aren't a parent. The parent purchased a ticket with a specific itinerary plus paid extra for a chaperone. If my daughter was fly

From your tone, I'll assume you aren't a parent. The parent purchased a ticket with a specific itinerary plus paid extra for a chaperone. If my daughter was flying alone and my wife got this kind of call from her, you can rest assured that she would move heaven and hell to get things sorted out. From personal experience, never underestimate the power of a mother protecting her child. PublikDemand aside, United failed big time. First by changing the itinerary (I've never had this happen to me) and second by not contacting the parents. Yes, the girl is fine, but that's really not the point.

venus 14y ago
> United failed big time. First by changing the itinerary (I've never had this happen to me) This happens pretty often if you are a frequent traveller. Things go wrong! It may be an inconvenience but it is certainly not a "fail". > and second by not contacting the parents Right. So that's what this is all about. Someone at United Airlines forgot to make a phone call, or couldn't get through, or maybe the number was illegible, or something. That's all this is about. Absolutely, totally undeserving of this reaction.
- ajtaylor 14y ago
  You doubtless fly more than me so I'll take your word for it regarding itinerary changes. You still don't get it about the contact. It's a child traveling alone. Should the airline just throw them to the wolves?! Or assume that everything will be ok? No, they should not! The parent paid EXTRA (and many airlines require the unaccompanied minor fee) to ensure the child would arrive as expected. It was their absolute obligation to inform the parents when things changed. Why the hell didn't the chaperone call the parents? If United couldn't find the number, the child certainly knew it! And it's not just about "someone forgetting to make a phone call". The parents asked for updates and got stone walled by Customer "Service". That was salt in the open, bleeding wound. So yes, it's absolutely deserving. If the airline doesn't want the trouble with unaccompanied minors - DON'T SELL THEM A TICKET. By taking the parents' money the airline willingly assumed the obligation. What more is there to discuss?
mgarfias 14y ago
I am a parent. I totally and completely agree with the outrage. This isn't 1984 when I was flying between kansas and new york any more (got rerouted to LGA from JFK once, dad found out about it at the JFK gate and FREAKED). We have instant communications these days. USE THEM.

venus 14y ago

> United failed big time. First by changing the itinerary (I've never had this happen to me) This happens pretty often if you are a frequent traveller. Things go wrong! It may be an inconvenience but it is certainly not a "fail". > and second by not contacting the parents Right. So that's what this is all about. Someone at United Airlines forgot to make a phone call, or couldn't get through, or maybe the number was illegible, or something. That's all this is about. Absolutely, totally undeserving of this reaction.

ajtaylor 14y ago
You doubtless fly more than me so I'll take your word for it regarding itinerary changes. You still don't get it about the contact. It's a child traveling alone. Should the airline just throw them to the wolves?! Or assume that everything will be ok? No, they should not! The parent paid EXTRA (and many airlines require the unaccompanied minor fee) to ensure the child would arrive as expected. It was their absolute obligation to inform the parents when things changed. Why the hell didn't the chaperone call the parents? If United couldn't find the number, the child certainly knew it! And it's not just about "someone forgetting to make a phone call". The parents asked for updates and got stone walled by Customer "Service". That was salt in the open, bleeding wound. So yes, it's absolutely deserving. If the airline doesn't want the trouble with unaccompanied minors - DON'T SELL THEM A TICKET. By taking the parents' money the airline willingly assumed the obligation. What more is there to discuss?

mgarfias 14y ago

I am a parent. I totally and completely agree with the outrage. This isn't 1984 when I was flying between kansas and new york any more (got rerouted to LGA from JFK once, dad found out about it at the JFK gate and FREAKED). We have instant communications these days. USE THEM.