General Discussion

Mr.Bill

(24,906 posts)

20. My dad worked for United Airlines and we flew space available

Mon Dec 25, 2023, 12:37 AM

Dec 2023

when I was about 12 I was flying alone from Baltimore to San Francisco. We had a stop in Chigago and the plane filled up, essentially bumping me of the flight. One of the flight attendants put me in her jump seat for the rest of the flight so I didn't get bumped off. This was in the 60s. I don't recall there being any special chaperoning or provisions for unacomanied children. Just the flight attendant being aware of the situation and coming up with a solution.

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Spirit Airlines sent an unaccompanied 6-year-old to the wrong city [View all] FelineOverlord Dec 2023 OP

Honestly, mistakes happen. Child was always under care and Spirit acknowledged the mistake. Freethinker65 Dec 2023 #1

In my opinion angrychair Dec 2023 #5

You are entitled to your opinion. Freethinker65 Dec 2023 #10

I boarded the wrong plane tavernier Dec 2023 #11

Stuff happens. The family will have a great MOMFUDSKI Dec 2023 #2

No harm, no foul. They made a mistake and corrected it. Talitha Dec 2023 #3

Well, in 1955, when I was 10 years old, MineralMan Dec 2023 #9

In 1965, my 8 year old self, unweird Dec 2023 #26

And we remember those adventures. MineralMan Dec 2023 #39

The important part of this story: the child was always under the care and supervision of an airline employee. Irish_Dem Dec 2023 #4

This. marmar Dec 2023 #33

Think I have to go with most of the posters here stopdiggin Dec 2023 #6

On the other hand, here's an unaccompanied minor story MineralMan Dec 2023 #7

hmmm something like happened in 1992 a world famous movie reymega life Dec 2023 #8

Nicely Played (nt) ProfessorGAC Dec 2023 #13

1992? Wow. That makes my GenX back ache. marmar Dec 2023 #34

This happened to my son, also six-years-old. Going to San Diego, taken off in San Jose. Lettuce Be Dec 2023 #12

I had something like that happen to me in 1973 DFW Dec 2023 #14

Remember when flying was fun malaise Dec 2023 #15

Back at Christmas, 1981 DFW Dec 2023 #17

Carnival flights and Christmas on BWIA - BWEE as we called or malaise Dec 2023 #18

Yeah, flying used to be fun and even a little sexy PJMcK Dec 2023 #31

You nailed it malaise Dec 2023 #35

Merry Christmas to you, dear malaise! PJMcK Dec 2023 #42

The mistake by Spirit was allowing an unaccompained minor. Jacson6 Dec 2023 #16

Thousands of unaccompanied children fly every year. Mr.Bill Dec 2023 #21

Post removed Post removed Dec 2023 #23

My cousins traveled unaccompanied when they were young. Their parents were divorced.. helpisontheway Dec 2023 #28

Was the kid boxed up? roamer65 Dec 2023 #19

My dad worked for United Airlines and we flew space available Mr.Bill Dec 2023 #20

I don't know when it started ExWhoDoesntCare Dec 2023 #24

Since the mid/late 80s at least ecstatic Dec 2023 #36

I know they've had then for awhile. Mr.Bill Dec 2023 #40

As a parent I can't imagine letting my child fly without a chaperone at that age. SYFROYH Dec 2023 #22

Post removed Post removed Dec 2023 #25

Like I said, I can't imagine. SYFROYH Dec 2023 #27

I could not do it either. I barely let my kids out of sight when they were little..lol helpisontheway Dec 2023 #29

Some parents have no choice. Irish_Dem Dec 2023 #41

He should have been upgraded to Business Class (if available) and given free cocktails * Oopsie Daisy Dec 2023 #30

I thought for sure this was about Home Alone II, Lost in New York. Ligyron Dec 2023 #32

The parents better not make a big stink and sue pinkstarburst Dec 2023 #37

I flew unaccompanied a few times. Man what I would have given to go to the wrong place. JanMichael Dec 2023 #38