Airline passenger news and views

When I was at school, there was a boy named Chan whose parents lived in Hong Kong. He travelled back and forth to school each term and, very exotically as it seemed to me, flew unaccompanied.

This must still happen today but it is likely to be a damn sight less glamorous than it was in my schooldays.

I decided to investigate and canvassed a few airlines and was quite impressed with their responses and their procedures for keeping track of these youngsters and for handover at the destination.

Normally, an airline representative will take the unaccompanied minor through security to the gate and then on board prior to other passengers. The adult delivering the unaccompanied minor is asked to remain available at the airport until the aircraft actually departs.

During the flight, the child is supervised by the inflight crew.  On arrival, the airline’s ground staff take over to escort the child through immigration for hand over to the designated adult.

What did impress and also sadden me was the level of detail that the airlines request. Clearly, there is a risk of child abduction and, I suppose, paedophiles posing as designated adults. So, photo-IDs, written authorisation, liability release forms etc., are now a necessary part of the process.

It all sounded pretty slick and well managed but I doubt that it retains the same exotic appeal that I recall from my childhood.