Us Airways Shouldnt Expect Me To Know The Policies

I went on USairways.com and I was unable to book a minor by
themselves. The site will not allow you to select 0 adults and 1
child. So it seems as though you booked this child as an adult. In
which case the only person to blame would be yourself.

It is your responsibility as the consumer to read the terms of
carriage when you purchase a ticket.

I agree with you completely. I had the same sort of trouble with US
Airways too, only BNA let my son fly out, and the airport in
Washington, DC, on the return flight, was the airport that wouldn't
let him fly. He was 14 at the time and was flying to Washington for a
People to People Leadership Conference.

I can only imagine how you felt when you got to the airport! I was
livid when I got a call from my son that they wouldn't let him board
for his return flight.

This is probably a valid complaint, if not very well written. An
airline's website should never permit the purchase of an invalid
ticket. It is very reasonable for a customer to assume that if the
site asks for the passenger's age (at time of travel), only
itineraries valid for that age will be offered.

The thing I can't understand is why parents want their kids to fly
alone? My oldest son flies a lot because his Dad lives half way across
the country.
I generally use Delta but I imagine US Air is probably similar. Delta
does not allow unaccompanied minors to fly unless you pay extra for
their Minor Services.
I don't mind paying $50.00 extra as it means he has an airline
employee watching him from the time he leaves my side until he is
SIGNED for by the adult I listed- that adult must have ID. If there
are any lay overs a Flight Attendant walks with him and boards him on
his next plane.
Also, I have to remain in the terminal until his plane is in the air
so if there are any issues or delays, etc. they don't have to call all
over creation looking for me to come get him. I happily comply with
all this because I want my kid to be safe.

There are just too many creepy people in the world- too much can
happen.

You're right that they should have automatically notified you of the
policy (I assumed you booked using usairways.com).

For future reference, see
http://www.usairways.com/customers/travel_policies/minors/index.htm.

Their policy is simple. Children between 5 and 14 may fly only
non-stop flights. There is a $40 fee, since special attention must be
placed on ensuring the safety of the kids. The reason for only
non-stop flights is, again, safety.

Please note that the usairways web site does have a "special services"
set of choices when you book online. Included is "Unaccompanied
minor." So, it's not like the usairways.com web site is devoid of
information on the policy. Lesson to you: Please read about the
policies of the particular airline. Don't assume that because another
airline does it, all do.

Remember, the goal here is keep your kids safe. It's not to annoy
you.

One more tip: when writing a letter like this, don't include stuff
like how your kids are going to be in the Olympics. It's not relevant
to your complaint. It only makes you look like you think you deserve
special treatment. I know that's not the case, but that's how it
makes you look.