14yo PAX denied SYD-MEL using Oz PP as ID - needed School ID

[Bindibuys]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

Not in my life-time either, but apparently schools now do ID's and that proves to the airline that you are in Secondary school, and can travel unaccompanied.

The things you learn on AFF - amazing.

 

[Bindibuys]

So one of the passengers turned up to the airport without ID?

Turned up without Student ID. Jetstar don't care how old you are - you just have to be in Secondary school to fly unaccompanied.

 

[N860CR]

It is a Jetstar oddity as far as I know though. I believe Qantas and Virgin are just "over 12 years old".

It makes far more sense. As I said, at what age do you stop asking for a student card? Technically, shouldn't we all be showing one?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Turned up without Student ID. Jetstar don't care how old you are - you just have to be in Secondary school to fly unaccompanied.

So she did have her passport with her for proof of age?

 

[Bindibuys]

Re: The totally off-topic thread

I would've thought a 14 year old would be in high school...

That is Sue's argument - show me a nearly 15 year old that is still in primary school.

 

[jetpack]

You don't have to have a student ID.

Acceptable forms of identification to verify secondary school attendance are:

• School ID card from a secondary school (can be from a previous year and may be expired).
• Letter from the secondary school on a school letterhead confirming attendance and stating the year the child is currently attending. Note: the child must be currently attending secondary school to qualify to travel independently.

 

[N860CR]

Hence my question; what happens when the child leaves secondary school (which I think you can do at 15?) and has no old student card? It's a stupid policy.

 

[Bindibuys]

So she did have her passport with her for proof of age?

She only lives a couple of miles from the airport and offered to go get it, but Jetstar said "don't bother, its not your age that is the issue, it's wether or not you are in Secondary school.

 

[Bindibuys]

You don't have to have a student ID.

Acceptable forms of identification to verify secondary school attendance are:

• School ID card from a secondary school (can be from a previous year and may be expired).
• Letter from the secondary school on a school letterhead confirming attendance and stating the year the child is currently attending. Note: the child must be currently attending secondary school to qualify to travel independently.

How do you get any of those during school holidays?

 

[Princess Fiona]

She only lives a couple of miles from the airport and offered to go get it, but Jetstar said "don't bother, its not your age that is the issue, it's wether or not you are in Secondary school.

Your first post suggests that JQ refused to accept a passport as ID when in fact no such passport was produced.

It is the responsibility of whoever was booking the flights for the girls to be aware of the requirements for travel. It is clearly set out in the website under the Unaccompanied minors section.
Harsh maybe but true.

 

[Bindibuys]

Yes Princess, that was the message first conveyed to me. (the deeper you dig, the more info you get given)

Still a learning curve, especially for those with high school age children that are likely to fly. You would think age would be the guideline, not level of education. Even if she had the passport with her, did not prove she was at Secondary school.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yes Princess, that was the message first conveyed to me. (the deeper you dig, the more info you get given)

Still a learning curve, especially for those with high school age children that are likely to fly. You would think age would be the guideline, not level of education. Even if she had the passport with her, did not prove she was at Secondary school.

Absolutely, I totally agree with you. The requirements are a bit silly. Perhaps JQ need to make this information more prominent or else ask for young passenger info when booking tickets which would trigger the extra ID info on the ticket ?

 

[serfty]

For reference: Children travelling alone | Jetstar

 

[Bindibuys]

JQ have won this one, but also lost 2 budding future passengers.

My 2 cents - if JQ are going to charge an "adult" fare, then treat them like an adult.

Set up a "student" fare (which can be just $10.00 less than an adult) have a box to tick that states "I have read the conditions, and the student will have student ID with them at check-in and I acknowledge that boarding will be denied, and no refund will be entered into if student ID is not provided."

AFF at it's best again, teaching us the tricks of the trade. Thank you.

 

[dmitri]

Sounds like a ridiculous rule. I was travelling with Qantas as a 13/14/15 yo most school holidays un-accompanied and never had an issue

 

[dajop]

What sounds ridiculous is not necessarily the rule, but enforcement away from the margins ... What 14 yo would be still at primary school? Do they enforced the rule for 15 yos too? I guess not as they are allowed to accompany minors. The other thing there are different ages in different states at which people go to secondary school.

Given that the other members of the Jetstar family have age based limits, I assume the school cutoff related to a higher potential to lie about their 11 year olds date of birth, and thus the risk of carrying unaccompanied minors who are indeed only 10 or 11. Whereas elsewhere passports are required for international travel (or for domestic travel in VN or JP I assume government ID cards.)

 

[ermen]

what is i were a child genius and were in university at say 14? still can't fly!

stupid policy...

 

[maroonone]

And from the JQ link above

Acceptable forms of identification to verify secondary school attendance are
School ID card from a secondary school (can be from a previous year and may be expired).

Letter from the secondary school on a school letterhead confirming attendance and stating the year the child is currently attending. Note: the child must be currently attending secondary school to qualify to travel independently.

What seems crazy is I can either have an "expired" ID or letter from school which I "must be currently attending". I wonder how current the letter must be - would one from last year do?
It would also appear a 15 year old school dropout (i.e. not attending school) is a satisfactory escort for the 14 year old primary student who has been backclassed (or whatever the politically current term is) a few times and therefore hasn't made it to secondary school.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I guess this rule is to stop kids from dropping out of school and doing status runs ;P

 

[Cynicor]

My high school, and most others in WA, gave out student IDs in the first week. This was in 98, and I'm pretty sure most over here still do- you needed them to get student fares on public transport/movies etc.

But yes, this situation is crazy