'It's not OK': Georgia mom slams American Airlines for 'losing' unaccompanied minor daughter
American Airlines has come under fire from a Georgia mother for 'losing' her 12-year-old daughter during a solo flight from Tennessee to Miami. Photography professor Monica Gilliam, 39, lambasted the airline after her daughter Kimber had to find her own way out after landing without any guidance from the airline's chaperone.
Last week, the little girl took a solo flight from Chattanooga to Miami to visit her father for three weeks. Her mother had paid an additional $150 for her to be escorted through both airports and to wear a badge alerting the crew that she was travelling alone. However, as soon as she stepped off the plane at Miami, the escorts who were paid to take care of her just grinned and waved at her. Kimber was able to contact her father, who helped her navigate the airport until they met up.
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An American Airlines manager called Gilliam almost an hour after her daughter's flight landed in Miami. The manager informed her that they did not know the whereabouts of her child and they had closed the terminal. "It's not OK and it shouldn't happen," said Gilliam.
Turns out, Kimber was waved off by the flight attendants instead of being escorted because her flight had landed early. According to Gilliam, her daughter was unsure of what to do, so she just kept walking. Gilliam said the the image of her daughter just ambling through the airport sent her reeling. She mentioned how scared she was because Kimber was an unaccompanied minor in one of the "largest human trafficking hubs in the country." She said, "On the way out, no American Airlines personnel asked her if she had an adult, no Miami airport staff asked her, and even the TSA security agent stopped her before she entered the secure section into baggage claim."
This incident happened amid widespread pandemonium at US airports. Thousands of flights over the Fourth of July holiday were delayed and hundreds of them were cancelled. Nearly 50 million people travelled over the weekend, making it the largest travel period since the Covid-19 pandemic. This week, 245 flights were delayed.
According to American Airlines, children between the ages of five and 14 are required to use the "unaccompanied minors" service. Anyone between the ages of 15 and 17 is allowed to use it too, although it is voluntary. In addition to the ticket price, using the system costs $150 each trip, and there is an additional fee for travelling with siblings. It features, according to its website, "early boarding to give extra time to settle in and meet the flight attendants." There is a "kids-only" lounge for flight connections in hub cities. The kids also get complimentary kits containing snacks and various activities.
The website says that they provide an escort to help children to the gate for flight connections and also help pick them up when they land. It also reads: "Keep in mind, our flight attendants will be busy with onboard duties and can't continuously monitor your child during their flight." It adds: "Let your child know to ring the call button if they need anything."
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American Airlines said the incident is under investigation. According to the airline's statement, a representative said they care profoundly about their young travellers and are committed to delivering a safe and enjoyable travel experience for them. The representative stated, "We take these matters very seriously and are looking into what occurred. A member of our team has reached out to the customer to learn more about their experience. "