Itsme

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.

mcs328

Free trip at least.

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VTGreg

What type of accompaniment is included for $60 to $75? I'm not sure how this would happen if someone is with the kid the whole time.

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Thesifer

Uhmm.. They actually returned the plane to Chicago after 54 minutes in the air? That seems wierd. I can't see why they wouldn't just put both of the kids on different flights.. one leaving south bend.. the other leaving for south bend.. humm interesting story though. I think they deserve a refund on that "accompanied" fee.

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Markel

The story says that they were about halfway into the 54 minute flight. It may be that they wanted to get the Taipai passenger back to catch his flight, and there may not have been alternate flights between South Bend and Chicago.

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Thesifer

I guess I read it wrong.. oops. Yeah I suppose so. Just seems odd.. Atleast they cleared it up.. But .. Why wasn't the kid with someone at all times. humm