What adults can learn about unaccompanied minors from United Airlines’ blundering

Should you let your child fly alone? Parents may wonder after a couple alleged this week that their 10-year-old daughter flying to summer camp was stranded at one of the world's busiest airports after United Airlines failed to keep track of her. The girl ultimately made it to camp safely. But the incident highlights some of the risks of children flying alone, including the a little-known industry practice of hiring outside companies to escort kids from gate to gate. Phoebe Klebahn was flying as an "unaccompanied minor" from San Francisco to Traverse City, Mich. with a connection in Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. The girl's parents, Annie and Perry Klebahn, had paid United an extra $99 to assist her during the June 30 trip. When the first flight landed in Chicago, the company United hired apparently failed to show up. The parents claim in a letter sent to the airline that their daughter asked for help, including the use of a cell phone, but was repeatedly told to