Help!

[Jude1]

Hi on a wing and a prayer here my 15 year old son is flying from Manchester on Thomas Cook flight at 7:05pm (MT2752) to Dalaman. E dreams took the booking and Thomas Cook saying they won't let him on even with parental permission (still working on customer services). If anyone knows anyone flying in at same time and wouldn't mind meeting him (he is polite and well mannered btw) I would be eternally grateful as he needs to provide a booking reference of another party to say he's with them..He is devastated as our we! So I'm praying some kind soul will come to our rescue! Thanks in anticipation!

[KKOB]

7:05 pm tonight ?

[Jude1]

Yes! On way to airport but been told up to desk staff discretion wether he is allowed

[KKOB]

You're going to have to ask someone in the check-in queue to take him under their wing (excuse the pun).

It might be a good idea to get hold of some paper and write a short letter in advance giving permission for him to travel with details of who'll be meeting him at Dalaman.

[Jude1]

He's a nice lad and looks older so I am hoping the manager will let him fly but yes that's the only other option! Fingers crossed now!

[Jacqui Harvey]

This has been a long running rule about children travelling along.  I have seen so many posts over the years  like this. It is a big ask to be responsible for someone else's child.  Also a big decision to hand your child over to a stranger.
Good luck.

[KKOB]

Did he get away OK ?

[WordBird]

For future reference it would be worth enquiring whether they have a child accompaniment service.
Both our kids have flown alone in the past - not to/from Turkey, admittedly, but both outward and return journeys to Ireland, Northern Ireland and Hong Kong - and on each occasion the airline made sure there was a crew member available to assist with check-in and boarding, look after them properly on the flight, and ensure they got off, retrieved their baggage was and were delivered safely to whoever was meeting them. Didn't cost much either as I recall - in fact, there was no charge on the Northern Ireland flights, presumably because it was within the UK.

[JohnF]

Hi on a wing and a prayer here my 15 year old son is flying from Manchester on Thomas Cook flight at 7:05pm (MT2752) to Dalaman. E dreams took the booking and Thomas Cook saying they won't let him on even with parental permission (still working on customer services).

If he didn't get on then E Dreams should at the very least give you a refund.  TC are clear about their policy for unaccompanied minors - has to be booked in a store and the relevant paperwork completed at the time of booking.  That said, they take kids from 14yrs so hopefully common sense prevailed at check in.

For future reference it would be worth enquiring whether they have a child accompaniment service.

Thats a service that is disappearing from many airlines due to budget restraints and cost cutting - British Airways had an excellent service but it's been scrapped as of the end of this year.

The only airlines I know (flying to Turkey) that allow unaccompanied minors aged 14yrs plus are Thomas Cook, Easyjet and Jet2.  THY take kids from 7yrs but I'm not sure if the flight has to be direct (no changes) or not.  All have special booking conditions and I don't think you can book an unaccompanied minors ticket online.

JF

[Jude1]

Hi all thanks for all your input! John F I have done exactly that as in emailed E Dreams and Thomas cook too because a) E dreams have a responsibility to highlight the clearly
Stated rules as per Thomas Cook website! and b) Thomas Cook staff were incompetent with their attitude,advice and were damn rude at the airport!!!
He did get here HUGE thanks to a lovely family who had 2 boys similar age and saw what was going on!!Just in the process of arranging to contact them properly and thank them face to face with a few drinks at the very least!! Thank you to everyone lesson learnt for us!!