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CNN Saturday Morning News
Airline Policies Regarding Children Traveling Alone
Aired August 11, 2001 - 09:18 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Parents no doubt feel a bit anxious when they put their young children on a plane to fly off all by themselves.
Joining me from Washington with some safety tips is Chuck Hurley of the National Safety Council.
Chuck, thanks for joining us this morning.
CHUCK HURLEY, NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL: Good morning.
BUCKLEY: Just wondering, I actually flew on connecting flights here, and on both segments of the flight noticed that there were children that had the plastic sort of containers with what looked like travel documents inside those plastic containers. What are the policies regarding the -- from the different airlines regarding children, and what would be in that sort of plastic envelope?
HURLEY: Well, the general policies are pretty much the same. It is important to call ahead to the individual airline to find out the differences that might be on that particular carrier. But kids under 5 really are not allowed to be unescorted. Five to 7, generally only on nonstop flights.
And the airlines generally do a very good job of this. I mean, the perceived risk is very high, it's a primal fear, I guess, of parents to lose their kids. The actual risk is quite low. And again, there's some things that can be done to reduce those risks and give parents some peace of mind.
BUCKLEY: I can't imagine putting my little guys on a plane by themselves, but they're a little bit younger. If they get older, maybe we'd be in a position to be doing that. Is -- and I understand you pay a little extra money to have the service to alert the airline that the child is traveling unescorted. What do you actually get for that money, and is there a representative on that plane who's monitoring your child at all times?
HURLEY: Well, the fee is generally $30, and the airlines, again, they pay pretty close attention to this. Often the kids have special buttons they wear to identify them as unaccompanied minors. And the airlines generally do a very good job of keeping track of kids.
Again, the best advice, though, is to book a flight early in the day. That way if there is a disruption, there are more chances to get your child to the destination that day.
Again, things like cell phones and phone cards are a very good idea so that you can keep in touch with people at both ends of the flight. And I think, again, that United, for example, I know, flew more than 100,000 kids last year without incident. The actual risk is pretty low.
It's probably important to remind parents that they've -- they will have just completed the safest part of their child's journey. The real risk comes when they get on the road. And of course they should make sure that every child's properly buckled.
BUCKLEY: The other thing is, with children on the airplane, I would imagine in addition to giving them some sort of a card that tells who they are, what their phone number is, the cell phone that you mentioned, what about snacks and things like that to make the child feel secure?
HURLEY: Well, the airlines do have special meals available for kids. Parents can call customer service for that airline well in advance. And also important for -- to arrive early at the airport, so all of the specific arrangements can be clarified and ironed out, and again to make sure that people receiving that child at the other end are informed of those procedures.
The airlines, by the way, are very strict that when you sign in with the unaccompanied minor that the person you identify to pick the child up is the only person they will give the custody of that child to.
So it's a pretty good system.
BUCKLEY: We heard in Mike Boettcher's story there that America West has decided to stop allowing this for the connecting flights. Do you think that's an overreaction, maybe?
HURLEY: Well, I -- they've had a couple of unfortunate incidences, so it probably is -- they're trying to stay off your media, I think, in that regard. Generally the system works well. And for parents' peace of mind, again, if they do the -- call ahead to the customer service, find out the particular policies of that airline, book an early flight, make sure the child has a phone card, or, if possible, a cell phone so that they can stay in touch with the parents during, during that travel, those are some tips that I think would increase the peace of mind.
BUCKLEY: Important information there, Chuck. Thank you very much. Chuck Hurley of the National Safety Council. Thanks for joining us.
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