Delta, Unaccompanied Minor and Standby ?

[happiestgrl]

I'm not sure how it works on Delta, but on AA "buddy passes" we make a "listing" with a specific flight number, much like a reservation. We are able to check in for our preferred flight 24 hours in advance. If we are not assigned a seat at check-in (sometimes that happens...if the flight isn't full), then we are given a security verification card (looks like a boarding pass) with the flight number on it that we have checked in for to get through security.

 

[kaffinito]

Well got all of the flight info and such sorted out. I totally forgot about checking in online yesterday, and knew I had to register him as an UM this morning so we just went to the check in desk.

He was flying on a Buddy Pass.

There were 25 people total flying standby

The gal checking people in at the gate put DS11 and another UM in seats although both were flying on a Buddy Pass

All 25 regular passengers flying standby got seats.

It was stressful, but it was manageable. I wouldn't be adverse to doing it this way again, but will strongly suggest to ex DH that next time he just gets the kid a regular ticket.

Thanks to everyone for all of your input, it really helped prepare me for what was going on this morning.

 

[seashoreCM]

Next time, I get the tickets and I'll just have ex DH pay for them.

NOthing wrong with the buddy pass if you don't mind taking him home and bringing him back the next day if he does not get on that day.

Better to not book the tickets until you get the money from ex-DH.

Note that shopping for the tickets can consume lots of time also so there's an incentive to let ex-DH buy them.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Ex DH went with buddy pass because it's WAY cheaper then a regular ticket.

I used one years ago. It was a good deal, but that was before airlines were as crowded as they are now. Now I don't know....

 

[seashoreCM]

And as far as the rules go, if you fly standby, and don't get on your initial flight (non stop) then can you wait for another nonstop flight that you can get on? Or do you have to take the next available flight, non stop or not, that has a seat for you?:

UM's are normally not put on connecting flights late in the day when there is a significant danger they won't get on the last flight out of the connection city. The airline has to look after UM's at connection points.

This decision is up to the airline.

 

[kaffinito]

NOthing wrong with the buddy pass if you don't mind taking him home and bringing him back the next day if he does not get on that day.

Better to not book the tickets until you get the money from ex-DH.

Note that shopping for the tickets can consume lots of time also so there's an incentive to let ex-DH buy them.

I didn't have anything to do with the Buddy Pass. My ex DH had his sister get DS his tickets through a friend of hers that works for Delta. It's too risky to try to fly an UM this way. I pay for non stop regular tickets when it's my turn to buy the airfare.