QF loses UM (unaccompanied minor)

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markis10

markis10

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Pretty poor form by QF and an unlucky coincidence that the mother is a Child Protection worker so obviously more cognisant of this risk/issue. Not sure the comments referring to her as a selfish parent are appropriate - plenty of parents send kids as UM - that's why there are processes for UM. Not sure what she could sue for given no actual loss has been incurred - given also that she only learned of the mistake after the child was back in her care so she obviously hadn't been scarred waiting anxiously for a lost child...
 
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Obviously a procedural stuff up - I'm sure someone is going to or has had their "knuckles rapped".

... After the flight touched down just before 1am, the boy, wandering alone through the crowd, spotted his waiting mother. ...
Click to expand...
Hmmm ... and the woman has turned down the offer of a $1000 voucher?
Ms Decleva said she had declined the airline's offer of a $1000 travel voucher, and was considering her legal options. ...
Click to expand...

I wonder what she expects to get?
 
I have never seen this happen when working at the airport. Have had a couple of scares with multiple UM's on the same flight when they decide it is a good time to start to play hide and seek once they are off the plane :shock: :shock:

The more annoying bit was all the times I had to wait with UM's whilst there parents/guardians/family... didn't show up to pick them up from the airport. When calling them they would usually go oh I'll send someone I am still at work...
 
Well the airline is in the business of providing transport, they could easily say no more UM, if you want to send kids take the responsibility yourself.

Why on earth would you not take responsibility to take the child yourself to the gate and have someone waiting at the gate the other end. Qantas is not a day care.

I get sick and tired of the victim mentality of some people, take respnsibility for your own needs.
 
Whilst you can understand the mother's reaction for her sons safety. The reaction to want to sue is beyond reasonable.

Ultimately the patent has decided to let their child fly unattended, whilst the airline has committed to certain procedures. A mistake has happened, thankfully no harm done. Make a complaint so QF know they stuffed up and rectify process to help prevent future errors.

Move on with your life, sue oh please , can't stand this attitude in society.
 
People threatening to sue over essentially trivial matters have been watching too much TV.

Wait till they see the cost, time and delays involved. My reaction to this nonsense would be a simple single sentence: "So sue me - but make sure you follow the legal procedures to the letter."

This is tomorrow's fish and chips wrapper stuff.
 
honestly, I've seen this a few times. Both with younger relatives and just with kids I've noticed being left on planes as I disembarked late. Usually the kids just wander off and find their parents or their parents remind the people at the gate and they go find them. Do I think its a big deal? No. But if Qantas turn around and try to ride their high horse I'd be cynical, this isn't the first time its happened, and probably isn't the first time it happened that day. Its just that most parents don't work in child welfare and don't talk to the media.
 
But while the CC no doubt did their job properly, isn't the carer supposed to be at the gate when the child arrives? What happens if they aren't there, do airlines have staff available to play games with the kids while everyone waits?
 
Having travelled as an UM myself, I was told to wait on the plane until the plane was empty and a stewardess escorted me to the gate, where another agent waited for me and took me to my parents.

Did the child leave with all the other passengers when he wasn't supposed to?
Why wasn't the mother waiting at the gate door?

Can't believe some people are blaming AJ in the comments.
Actually. i can believe it.
 
If QF decide no more UM watch the proverbial hit the fan.
Not good timing given the current media field day with the QF industrial disputes, but not like it is a even rare occurrence.
 
I don't think her primary reason in "considering her legal options" is to get a good pay out.
I believe she is angry with the blatant sense of carelessness and wants to take it further on the principal - wouldn't you if it was your kid?

I don't care what airline UMs must be watched at all times!
 
QF has not exactly covered itself with glory I doubt anyone at QF has deliberately gone out of their way harm the child or cause the child to be harmed. It shouldn't have happened, it was during a difficult time, it worked out OK in the end.

Yes QF needs to ensure it's procedures are tightened, and yes somebody responsible at QF needs a "rap across the knuckles". For me it is about getting it right in the future.

When I was eleven I'd have been given a bit of a telling off if I had wandered off from a plane, but I was raised in those "dim and dark" days of schoolteachers who could dispense discipline with a cane or slipper. I'm probably scarred for life and should take legal action against somebody!! :p
 
Not making any excuses for the airline involved, but reading into the story you can see the potential for something like this to occur.

Being close to 11/12 at night on such a night, how many staff were on overtime or had been at work for extended periods to help clear the back log? You would imagine the fatigue levels would be higher, so the potential for the mistake would be higher than normal.

My other question, why come out now? Not trying to be cynical but is it to "educate" other parents on making sure the paperwork is in order at check in, or is it for other reasons?

Perhaps it is a good wake up call for those involved with the UM procedures.
 
Intriguing that according to the SMH story her son was "anxious" before taking his latest unaccompanied flight last Friday.
Clearly the mother hasn't completely lost faith with QF :rolleyes:
 
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