Unaccompanied Minor Transport
Accompanied Minor/Accompanied Traveler
I am experienced in accompanying children and minors (who would normally fly as unaccompanied minors or be airline classified as children traveling alone) to any destination, domestically or internationally. I can meet the parents or guardians at a predetermined point, escort the minor securely throughout the entire journey, and drop off your child at the pre-determined point. Your child will be under my constant supervision throughout the entire journey until we reach the pre determined destination. I will constantly maintain communication with the parents or guardians throughout the trip. Your child"s safety and welfare is my top priority.
How it Works - Case Study:
Accompanied Minor Transport
John and Mary are divorced. They have an eight-year-old child named Steven. John lives in Los Angeles, California, and Mary lives in London,England. Steven travels to Los Angeles at least four times a year to see his father. Mary cannot fly to Los Angeles with Steven due to occupational commitments; so she calls Shawn Habibi (a service that Mary and John have previously used). Shawn Habibi"s Accompanied Minor Transport Service sends both John and Mary the necessary parental consent forms (required by law) to be notarized by their respective municipalities. Shawn Habibi handles all of thelogistics of travel. I will arrive at Mary"s home to pick up Steven and transport him to the airport. I will then accompany Steven through the security checkpoints and to the VIP Lounge where we will wait to be called for our flight. When it is time to board the plane, I will accompany Steven to his seat and prepare him for the flight by familiarizing him with the do"s and don’ts of air travel. I will also familiarize Steven with all of the noises and sounds(and bumps) that an airplane makes while in the air. On some flights, I may even introduce the child to the captain or first officer. Steven will be under constant supervision while in the aircraft. After the flight arrives at LAX,Steven will be escorted to passport control and on through to immigration. Upon clearing customs and immigration, I will escort Steven by car to his final destination where his father is waiting at home in Santa Monica, California.
About the Accompanied Minor Program
Traveling alone can be a harrowing experience for a child, and for the child"s family. I will accompany children who would normally fly alone as unaccompanied minors to and from anywhere in the world.
It is my top priority to provide a safe, secure, reliable, and comfortable travel experience for children who would normally travel alone. My Accompanied Minor Program offers a service unparalleled in the travel industry that ensures your child"s safety and security, while providing a service that is comfortable and enjoyable.
The Accompanied Minor Program is an excellent travel service that is specially designed for Unaccompanied Minors, children up to 5 years of age, Handicapped Children and Court Ordered Visitation. I will make sure your children travel safely and comfortably.
How Accompanied Minor Programs Work
The airlines have been running their Unaccompanied Minor Program for many years now. According to published estimates, as many as seven million children fly as unaccompanied minors every year in the United States - and that number is growing. That equates to as many as 19,000 per day and as many as one unaccompanied minor per flight. Due to the climate of extreme security at airports and cities around the world, I am able to provide a service that is a tier above the airlines" unaccompanied minor services.
How the Airlines" Unaccompanied Minor Programs Work
For instance, an eight year old from Los Angeles is going to visit grandma in Miami, Florida. The parents would contact the airlines by telephone (most airlines require you to call them) to enroll the child in an Unaccompanied Minor Program and purchase an adult ticket (required by all airlines).
On the day of departure, the parent or guardian would travel to the airport.Depending on the airline, the parent would be required to drop off their child to a ticket traveler who would then turn the child over to an employee, who would then supervise the child until he/she boards the plane. The employee would then identify the child to the flight attendant on the plane. The attendant would take the child to his/her seat and brief the child on airlinerules and what to expect during the flight. At that point, the child would be under the control of the airplane crew. At the conclusion of the flight, theairline crew would then turn the child over to an airline employee who would then take the child through to the claims area (or through customs and immigration and then to the claims area) where grandma would then meet the child.
Other airlines may require a parent or guardian to obtain a gate pass and stay with the minor at the gate until the minor has boarded and the plane has departed the airport.
How The Accompanied Minor Program Works
After you contact me, I will travel to the family home or another pre-designated place. I will transport the minor to the airport and through security. I will remain with the minor (who is completely supervised throughout the journey) while providing safety, security,and maintaining a comfortable and assuring environment for the minor. While their child is on the plane, knowing a responsible person is there to deal with all of their child"s needs comforts the parents. I will make sure the child is comfortable and entertained while on the flight - and will be there for the child if he or she is upset, frightened, or anxious. Upon landing, I will escort the child off the plane and to the baggage claim area (or through customs and immigration) and will either meet the parent(s) or guardian at the airport or escort the child to a specified location (all while maintaining contact and providing updates with the parents or guardians).
Accompanied Minor Program Policies
Policies for Unaccompanied Minors vary by airline, but most airlines have the same basic rules and procedures. No airline will accept a minor under the age of five years old in its Unaccompanied Minor Program. Most airlines also require that if a minor is between 5-14 years old, it is mandatory that he/she be enrolled in the airline"s Unaccompanied Minor Program.
The following are the major differences between the airlines"Unaccompanied Minor Programs and My Accompanied Minor Program.
Airlines
Children under five years old cannot travel on the airline"s Unaccompanied Minor Program and must be accompanied by an adult passenger at least 18 years of age; Children under five years old simply cannot travel alone.
My Program
Shawn Habibi accepts all children in the Accompanied Minor Program including infants through age seventeen.
Airlines
The Unaccompanied Minor Program is mandatory for children ages 5-14 and optional for children ages 15-17.
My Program
Shawn Habibi sets no age limits or terms under our Accompanied Minor Program.
Airlines
Unaccompanied Minors ages 5-14 will not be accepted on the last connecting flight of the day, or “red eye” flights. Red eye flights are those departing between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
My Program
Accompanied Minors have no restrictions regarding when they travel because they will be traveling with a qualified traveler. Whether it is the first flight out, the last flight out, or the red eye - there are no time restrictions with Shawn Habibi.
Airlines
Unaccompanied Minors are not accepted for international travel if their itineraries include a connection to a non-partner airline.
My Program
There are no restrictions to this policy. I can take the accompanied minor to almost any corner of the world if necessary.
Airlines
Unaccompanied minors must check in with a customer service agent and are not eligible to use the self-service check-in devices.
My Program
Check-In is not an issue with Me since we will be handling all of the flight and travel logistics for the minor.
Program Fees
There is a service fee associated with My Accompanied Minor Program. The service fee and all other travel-related fees are paid prior to travel by calling Shawn Habibi’s Reservations toll free at 1-310-854-9927. For current fee information, please click on “Rates and Fees”.
Travel Tips for the Parents
Keep carry-on luggage to a minimum. Shawn Habibi will advise the parents of current TSA rules and regulations regarding carry-on luggage.
Attach identification information on the inside of all luggage.
Advise your child (if he/she is of appropriate age) about airport rulesand air travel policies prior to travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of documentation does the program require?
Both parents must complete an Unaccompanied Minor form prior to travel; it will contain all of the pertinent information to insure your child"s safety and welfare during travel. This document will need to be completed by both parents or guardians and must be notarized by a governing authority. Please make sure that this information is filled out completely and accurately to insure that your child will travel that day.
What happens if one (or all) of the flights is delayed or cancelled?
Your child will be under the total supervision of Myself and I will escort your children safely and expeditiously to their final destination while maintaining constant communication with the parent(s) or guardian(s)on both ends via cell phone. In the rare event that an overnight stay is required due to weather conditions, mechanical delays, airport security, or other issues -you can be confident that your child"s welfare and safety will be my highest priority.
How many children can I send with the traveler?
At this time, Shawn Habibi can only accommodate three children per trip.The children must be able to occupy their own seats on an airplane.
How will my child be met when he/she arrives?
I will escort and release your child at the airport or other specified location - and only to the person designated on the Identification and Release Protocol (IRP) Form.
How does the Identification and Release Protocol (IRP) work?
This is a secure form that only Shawn Habibi and the Parents or Guardians see. This proprietary information is necessary to insure the safe and secure delivery of the minor to the proper parent(s) or guardian. If the information does not match on the receiving end, the traveler will not leave the child until I can properly verify this information.
