Expert: Roberto Gomes - 8/22/2007

Question
How do I get my 13 year old safely from DC to Tampa on US Air as an unaccompanied minor? Her Mother is taking her to airport and she is being picked up by an unrelated family friend. US Air has been very vague about procedure and has flipflopped about non ticketed passangers getting through security to take or pick up minors at gate. Three different people have given three different undecisive answers on how they will handle getting her to the person picking her up.

Answer
Dear Dennis,

According to US Air web site ...

Drop Off

"In domestic U.S. cities only, parents/guardians may obtain gate access passes at the ticket counter to accompany the child to the departure gate. Parents and guardians should arrive early to check in unaccompanied minors and obtain a gate access pass."

Pick Up

"US Airways requires that the person meeting your child present a government-issued photo ID to ensure your child's safety. Also, in domestic U.S. cities only, the person meeting your child may also obtain a gate pass from the airport ticket counter in order to meet the child at the gate upon arrival."

For the entire procedure please see the link below:

http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/traveltools/specialneeds/unaccompaniedminor...

Best Regards,
R. Gomes