Itsme
06-02-2006, 05:50 AM
Airline mixes up boys going in different directions
June 1, 2006
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS
GOSHEN, Ind.-- A 14-year-old boy flying to South Bend was surprised when he learned he had missed his flight because he had been sleeping at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
Lucas Rios was even more surprised when he learned another boy who was supposed to be flying to Taipei, Taiwan, via Tokyo, was in his seat aboard the flight to South Bend.
The United Express flight from Chicago already was about halfway into its 54-minute trip Monday when the mix-up was discovered and the plane returned to Chicago.
After landing back at O'Hare, airline personnel escorted the 10-year-old boy, who did not speak English, back to the gate, and Lucas, who started his journey in Colorado Springs, Colo., found his seat.
"Well, now we have the right one," the flight attendant told the passengers as the plane took off a second time.
Lucas, a veteran air traveler who flies between his father's house in Colorado and his mother's in Goshen, said it was the first time an airline escort service failed him.
United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said the Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based airline is investigating how it happened, calling it an "extremely rare incident, completely unacceptable."
Lucas told the South Bend Tribune the mix-up happened while he was sleeping.
"Now I'll have to be watching them and make sure they remember to watch me," Lucas said.
When the plane landed in South Bend, the pilot walked with Lucas to the terminal and told his mom, Kim Reed, about the problem.
Reed and Lucas' father, Mike Rios, pay about $60 to $75 for the accompaniment guarantee before each trip because they want to ensure their son will be safe as he transfers planes. She wants to know what the airline is going to do to prevent this type of mishap from happening again.
"You didn't misplace my luggage; you misplaced my kid," she said.
June 1, 2006
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS
GOSHEN, Ind.-- A 14-year-old boy flying to South Bend was surprised when he learned he had missed his flight because he had been sleeping at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.
Lucas Rios was even more surprised when he learned another boy who was supposed to be flying to Taipei, Taiwan, via Tokyo, was in his seat aboard the flight to South Bend.
The United Express flight from Chicago already was about halfway into its 54-minute trip Monday when the mix-up was discovered and the plane returned to Chicago.
After landing back at O'Hare, airline personnel escorted the 10-year-old boy, who did not speak English, back to the gate, and Lucas, who started his journey in Colorado Springs, Colo., found his seat.
"Well, now we have the right one," the flight attendant told the passengers as the plane took off a second time.
Lucas, a veteran air traveler who flies between his father's house in Colorado and his mother's in Goshen, said it was the first time an airline escort service failed him.
United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski said the Elk Grove Village, Ill.-based airline is investigating how it happened, calling it an "extremely rare incident, completely unacceptable."
Lucas told the South Bend Tribune the mix-up happened while he was sleeping.
"Now I'll have to be watching them and make sure they remember to watch me," Lucas said.
When the plane landed in South Bend, the pilot walked with Lucas to the terminal and told his mom, Kim Reed, about the problem.
Reed and Lucas' father, Mike Rios, pay about $60 to $75 for the accompaniment guarantee before each trip because they want to ensure their son will be safe as he transfers planes. She wants to know what the airline is going to do to prevent this type of mishap from happening again.
"You didn't misplace my luggage; you misplaced my kid," she said.