Maybe she should have read the conditions?

[yo yo ma]

This lady should have read the conditions before sending her 2yo on a flight with her 14yo brother. She stuffed the booking up, so why not take responsibility for it? It is easier to blame Qantas, than it is to admit she made a mistake.

Qantas rule leaves toddler stranded - News - Travel - smh.com.au

[Batesy]

Foreget reading the conditions. Who sends their 14 year old son on an overseas trip and charges them with the care of a toddler. The conditions of carriage are clear and available. It seems common sense, logic and personal responsibility are not listed as part of the terms of booking a flight.

[milehighclub]

The flight was from Christchurch to Queenstown - not an international flight

There is video over at tv3.co.nz
3 News > Video > Campbell Live > Qantas rule leaves toddler stranded in Christchurch

[Batesy]

The flight was from Christchurch to Queenstown - not an international flight

There is video over at tv3.co.nz
3 News > Video > Campbell Live > Qantas rule leaves toddler stranded in Christchurch

Apologies, I forgot about QF doing domestic in the land of the sheep enjoyers. Still international flight or not he is a 14 year old kid, not a responsible adult.

[Travel Guru]

Whether its International or domestic, a 14yo child has no business acting as guardian on a flight for a 2yo, and this mother is obviously rather irresponsible for doing so.

Having worked in travel for years, im not surprised by her blaming Qantas, people in my experience will blame just about anyone short of themselves for stuffing things up, and this is just another case.

Perhaps next time she should think about either a. driving her kid to CHC, or b. chaperoning her like a responsible mother.

There, thats my rant and rave for the day!

TG

[BiziBB]

I wonder if NZ has a different policy? I read the SMH story and the woman's comments don't ring true - too many assumptions and not enough checking the policy on minors.
This is a time when a travel agent would have come in handy.

[Maca44]

he is a 14 year old kid, not a responsible adult.

I have previously used a 14 year old 'kid' as a babysitter to look after my two precious assets, something I would not have done if I did not think this 'kid' was responsible. However, this has nothing to do with whether or not the kid is responsible, the problem is the mother did not abide by the terms of carriage and/or not reading the appropriate T&C's.

[Travel Guru]

I have previously used a 14 year old 'kid' as a babysitter to look after my two precious assets, something I would not have done if I did not think this 'kid' was responsible. However, this has nothing to do with whether or not the kid is responsible, the problem is the mother did not abide by the terms of carriage and/or not reading the appropriate T&C's.

Babysitting in a home is one thing, having them chaperone the child on a flight is completely different in my view.

TG

[JohnK]

Oh no! I didn't think anyone would even consider expecting a 14 year old to take care of a 2 year old baby on a flight. Most times it is hard enough for parents to cope with young children....

[ric_melb]

How unsurprising to see the article is in the SMH! So well known for being critical of Qantas.

Agree the rules were there, they were not complied with, and I question the suitability of a 14 year old having custody of a 2 year old on a flight.