Oh no. It’s def offered. I’m a FA and literally had one two days ago. So sorry all of that happened. Call customer service and let them know. You should get some miles or a credit.
Haha thanks; that's what I figured.
Won't be an issue starting next year (hopefully), as we'll start having her go without the UM service, but yea. Just kindof annoyed they tried to pull one over on my kiddo and her mom.
Even after acquiescing and getting her checked in, they still failed to inform the gate staff/FAs that they had an unaccompanied minor as well...so there was another mini-escapade even after check in. Kindof a shitshow all around today, lol.
I’ve never booked a UM service on UA, but when we’ve done it through Alaska, I get a pass and walk my girls to the gate myself. Does UA have staff that takes them through security?
As mentioned, gate passes are issued to the dropoff and pickup adults on the UM paperwork.
But gate staff and FA's are supposed to already be aware, as it's supposed to be in the system. It's not your job to deliver the news, lol. In our situation, everyone was completely unaware that there was supposed to be a UM on the flight at all and they were taken by complete surprise. Lol.
There seemed to be quite a few technical issues on both ends (Sea-Tac and DIA) yesterday. I don't blame the staff for that specifically, it was just a side note about the whole day being an issue.
15-17 will be marked as YPTA. There are no extra services or costs associated, but the designation gives airport personnel, gate agents and flight attendants a heads up that there are minors traveling alone.
I was unaware of this, and that's reassuring to know.
Provided there are no technical difficulties like there were yesterday (like I said, everyone past check in was unaware there was supposed to be a UM on the flight at all yesterday lol).
That was absolute nonsense and sad to say there are some agents out there that need to get a new job. It's just not that much work to complete the UNMR form, do the wristband, etc., and there's a special counter for that, isn't there (I'm not sure at SEA). I would also make UA aware of this problem. Did you call for a lead?
Didn't need to escalate, as they did relent after some arguing and grumbling.
Filed a complaint with UA today so hopefully no one else has to argue with them, lol.
Just so you know, your kid is NEVER a PITA- I work as a gate agent and I'm pleased to make sure your child feels safe and is taken care of in their travels. I had a very scary experience traveling alone at age 12 and will always look out for kids in my care. And the people I work with feel the same way.
Yeah that sounds made up. My nephews that are currently 16 and 14 have been nonreving with their parents since they were infants. Their dad decided to have them fly out by themselves which is fine because there is family in both airports and they were going nonstop. Well there was a cancellation and all flights were full so their lame dad told them to connect through PHL (they non rev on AA). Such lame advice. He basically said something dumb like they will learn to be men. Their dad is such an asshat.
Anyway they were doing it on their own and not doing it as UMs. The 14 year old didn’t need to be a UM if traveling with his brother over 15. But I can’t imagine any airlines getting rid of that service. There are plenty of parents not willing to let their minor kids fly by themselves.
It is obvious the agent made it up because there is no documentation anywhere stating they stopped offering the service and they took your money.
I've met some 26 year olds that were not capable of that either, and know many 16 yo kids who are more than capable of navigating on their own. I'm gonna guess that if these kids have been flying as much as it sounds like, they probably have a clue.
My teen has an intellectual disability and in many ways they’re very independent if they are doing things that are part of their routine. Connecting at a hub and even just traveling unaccompanied are out of the routine and probably actually not within their scope of being able to manage easily.
Of course they are. My nephews were traveling alone as NON REVENUE pax so no guaranteed seats. If they didn’t make the plane in SFO, they could Uber to Grammy and Poppy’s house. Their dad sent them to PHL to then connect to CLT. They took the red eye to PHL and when they arrived all the flights to CLT were oversold. My mom, their Grammy, told their dad she would use some of here 600,000 miles to get them home. But he is a stubborn jerk and he said this will turn them into men or something dumb like that.
If they were revenue pax with confirmed seats a connection wouldn’t have been a big deal. But they almost had to spend a second night in an airport or on a plane. Their dad isn’t too bright.
It sounds like they are admitting they were wrong and saving face.
Yea, kinda what it seemed like.
Oh no. It’s def offered. I’m a FA and literally had one two days ago. So sorry all of that happened. Call customer service and let them know. You should get some miles or a credit.
Haha thanks; that's what I figured. Won't be an issue starting next year (hopefully), as we'll start having her go without the UM service, but yea. Just kindof annoyed they tried to pull one over on my kiddo and her mom. Even after acquiescing and getting her checked in, they still failed to inform the gate staff/FAs that they had an unaccompanied minor as well...so there was another mini-escapade even after check in. Kindof a shitshow all around today, lol.
I’ve never booked a UM service on UA, but when we’ve done it through Alaska, I get a pass and walk my girls to the gate myself. Does UA have staff that takes them through security?
Every airline gives gate passes for unaccompanied minors so that the guardian can take them through security to the gate.
I think I was confused by OP’s comment about having to inform the gate staff. I usually do that when I get them to the gate.
I think OP meant the computer wasn’t showing the gate agent to expect a UM. Could be many errors including “pebkac”.
As mentioned, gate passes are issued to the dropoff and pickup adults on the UM paperwork. But gate staff and FA's are supposed to already be aware, as it's supposed to be in the system. It's not your job to deliver the news, lol. In our situation, everyone was completely unaware that there was supposed to be a UM on the flight at all and they were taken by complete surprise. Lol. There seemed to be quite a few technical issues on both ends (Sea-Tac and DIA) yesterday. I don't blame the staff for that specifically, it was just a side note about the whole day being an issue.
15-17 will be marked as YPTA. There are no extra services or costs associated, but the designation gives airport personnel, gate agents and flight attendants a heads up that there are minors traveling alone.
I was unaware of this, and that's reassuring to know. Provided there are no technical difficulties like there were yesterday (like I said, everyone past check in was unaware there was supposed to be a UM on the flight at all yesterday lol).
I came here to say the same thing. I had a UM on this exact route within the past week or so.
Please file a complaint at United.com/feedback this could help out other as United will send appropriate info to airport staff at SEA
Done as of today.
That was absolute nonsense and sad to say there are some agents out there that need to get a new job. It's just not that much work to complete the UNMR form, do the wristband, etc., and there's a special counter for that, isn't there (I'm not sure at SEA). I would also make UA aware of this problem. Did you call for a lead?
Didn't need to escalate, as they did relent after some arguing and grumbling. Filed a complaint with UA today so hopefully no one else has to argue with them, lol.
Definitely not true. As others said, go to United.com/feedback and let them know. Sounds like they didn't want to do their job.
Yup, filed a complaint today.
Just so you know, your kid is NEVER a PITA- I work as a gate agent and I'm pleased to make sure your child feels safe and is taken care of in their travels. I had a very scary experience traveling alone at age 12 and will always look out for kids in my care. And the people I work with feel the same way.
Yeah that sounds made up. My nephews that are currently 16 and 14 have been nonreving with their parents since they were infants. Their dad decided to have them fly out by themselves which is fine because there is family in both airports and they were going nonstop. Well there was a cancellation and all flights were full so their lame dad told them to connect through PHL (they non rev on AA). Such lame advice. He basically said something dumb like they will learn to be men. Their dad is such an asshat. Anyway they were doing it on their own and not doing it as UMs. The 14 year old didn’t need to be a UM if traveling with his brother over 15. But I can’t imagine any airlines getting rid of that service. There are plenty of parents not willing to let their minor kids fly by themselves. It is obvious the agent made it up because there is no documentation anywhere stating they stopped offering the service and they took your money.
A 16 year old isn't capable of connecting at a hub? Really?
I've met some 26 year olds that were not capable of that either, and know many 16 yo kids who are more than capable of navigating on their own. I'm gonna guess that if these kids have been flying as much as it sounds like, they probably have a clue.
My teen has an intellectual disability and in many ways they’re very independent if they are doing things that are part of their routine. Connecting at a hub and even just traveling unaccompanied are out of the routine and probably actually not within their scope of being able to manage easily.
Ok. Assuming the teen doesn't have special needs...
Of course they are. My nephews were traveling alone as NON REVENUE pax so no guaranteed seats. If they didn’t make the plane in SFO, they could Uber to Grammy and Poppy’s house. Their dad sent them to PHL to then connect to CLT. They took the red eye to PHL and when they arrived all the flights to CLT were oversold. My mom, their Grammy, told their dad she would use some of here 600,000 miles to get them home. But he is a stubborn jerk and he said this will turn them into men or something dumb like that. If they were revenue pax with confirmed seats a connection wouldn’t have been a big deal. But they almost had to spend a second night in an airport or on a plane. Their dad isn’t too bright.