Kids use baby-sitting money, take a plane ride

[Ari707]

'I just wanted to fly,' 15-year-old Bridget Brown says

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Three Florida children bought tickets with baby-sitting money and flew to Nashville, Tenn., on Southwest Airlines — unbeknownst to their parents.
Fifteen-year-old Bridget Brown had $700 saved and asked a 13-year-old friend where he wanted to go.
The friend, Bobby Nolan III, suggested Nashville.
"I just wanted to fly," 15-year-old Bridget Brown told Florida's First Coast News. "I had the money."
Together with Brown's 11-year-old brother, the three took a taxicab to Jacksonville International Airport and bought three tickets at the counter. The children say no one asked them for identification.
"He said ok and told us how much it would be and then we paid him," Brown told First Coast News. "Then he put the flight things on our bags and then he said you better run because you might miss your flight."
They called their parents from Nashville and immediately flew home.
Southwest Airlines told WJXT TV in Jacksonville that Southwest Airlines told Channel 4 the kids did not break any of their policies. The airline added that it would refund the costs of the tickets.
© 2010 msnbc.com

[Matt Molnar]

TSA has some 'splaining to do.

[cancidas]

TSA has some 'splaining to do.

more like the ticketing agents.... morons!

[emshighway]

TSA has some 'splaining to do.

TSA has nothing to do with it. It is the airlines responsibility.

[Matt Molnar]

Don't kids need ID when they're screened?

[NIKV69]

Didn't break any of their policies? Wtf? You can be under 18 and purchase a ticket to fly on WN?

[RDU-JFK]

I used to take Amtrak all the time by myself when I was 15 from NYP up to Boston and out to Harrisburg. Also used to fly the Delta Shuttle when I was 16 alone; bought the ticket on my own too.

It's not Soouthwest's or TSA's fault these parents aren't aware where their kids are going.

Regarding the TSA I don't think they require IDs for kids, just adults.

[T-Bird76]

Don't kids need ID when they're screened?

What 14 year do you know has an id? I sure didn't have an id when I was 14. First ID I had was my Learners Permit at 16. As for needing ID to buy tickets you are agreeing to the terms of the contract of carriage and a minor cannot legally enter a contract. Therefor WN is at fault here....I wonder if the ticket agent is looking for a new job now?

[Matt Molnar]

What 14 year do you know has an id? I sure didn't have an id when I was 14. First ID I had was my Learners Permit at 16. As for needing ID to buy tickets you are agreeing to the terms of the contract of carriage and a minor cannot legally enter a contract. Therefor WN is at fault here....I wonder if the ticket agent is looking for a new job now?

I thought parents had to show their kids' birth certificate or something.

[seahawks7757]

nope, and regard to ID you do get it starting in 7th grade from school.

[hiss srq]

I don't see the issue... I used to fly alone all the time starting when I was about 13.... Took a Spirit MD80 from ISP to RSW round trip same day when I was 13 just to fly the MD80 because I did not know how to book it by type on Delta, US or AA.

[emshighway]

Only 18 and over are required to produce ID. Children (especially teens) will be sent through the checkpoint and met by an agent,

[Alex T]

TBird- Agent was not fired. You can purchase a ticket with Cash and you do not need an ID to do so. WN in any way shape or form did not break any "rules"

Since the Children were not minors under WN's Company and Policy they were able to fly on their own.

As for TSA/Security, they do not need to produce an ID to go through security.

No one was at "fault" for here. No laws, rules were broken. If anything it would be the parents for allowing their kids to do such a thing without permission.

Regarding Birth Certificate, that is a No also, this only happens when the child is under the age of 2 and is traveling for free with a parent 18 and over.

Alex