I’ve written in the past about the concept of hidden city ticketing. Airline pricing is incredibly complex, so this is a practice whereby you book a ticket to a destination you don’t intend to travel to, in order to get a lower fare. There are websites, like Skiplagged, that even help you book tickets this way.
While this practice isn’t illegal, there are several risks to be aware of — it violates airline contracts of carriage (which you agree to when you book a ticket), and it can also get tricky if you end up with irregular operations, or have your bag gate checked. That brings us to a hidden city ticketing story that doesn’t have a happy ending, though personally I don’t think the airline is to blame.
In this post:
Hidden city ticketing leads to interrogation
Queen City News has the story of how a teenager was flying by himself for the first time. He was intending to fly from Gainesville to Charlotte (his family lives in North Carolina), so his father booked the ticket for him.
However, his father booked him a ticket from Gainesville to Charlotte to New York, since it was significantly cheaper, and then he explained to his son that he should simply get off the plane in Charlotte, and end his journey there. Well, that didn’t go as planned.
When the teen went to check-in at Gainesville Airport, the check-in agent allegedly noticed his North Carolina driver’s license, and became suspicious about him being engaged in hidden city ticketing (I imagine there has to be something else that made the agent suspicious). According to the father, the teen was taken to a “security room,” where he was “interrogated” (I’m also confused about what kind of a “security room” an airline would have at a small regional airport).
The teen eventually admitted that he intended to terminate his journey in Charlotte. At that point the teen’s ticket was canceled, and he was forced to purchase a new ticket for the route he intended to fly. Furthermore, the teen has reportedly been banned from flying with American Airlines for three years.
The teen’s father states that his “concerns are he is a minor and was kind of left to fend for himself several states away.” The father now says he would have never put his son in this predicament if he knew this would happen.
The father also claims that for the past five to eight years, he has almost exclusively used hidden city ticketing for the family’s travels. He claims that he wasn’t aware that hidden city ticketing was frowned upon in the airline industry.
American Airlines has issued the following statement regarding this incident:
“Purchasing a ticket without intending to fly all flights to gain lower fares (hidden city ticketing) is a violation of American Airlines terms and conditions and is outlined in our Conditions of Carriage online. Our Customer Relations team has been in touch with the customer to learn more about their experience.”
The airline stated that it wasn’t aware of the teen being “detained,” and is now investigating that.
Below you can see the news clip about the incident.
The father needs to take accountability here
What’s my take on this situation? First of all, I feel bad for the teen here. Clearly he had no clue what kind of a situation he was put into, as he didn’t even book his own ticket. I’m sure this wasn’t a fun experience for him, so he’s the victim here, plain and simple.
That being said, the fault lies with his father, and not with American Airlines. The father says he has been using hidden city ticketing for all the family’s travels for the past five to eight years, but didn’t realize it violated airline rules? Did he ever once Google it? Did he ever read Skiplagged’s guide to hidden city ticketing, and how it’s something airlines frown down upon?
Personally I question if he’s telling the truth here. What did he tell his son before the flight about why his ticket was booked to New York? I’d be willing to bet he told him not to tell the American representatives that he wasn’t planning on completing the trip to the destination…
I’m a little bit confused about why the son even interacted with an American Airlines agent and had to show his ID? If you’re doing hidden city ticketing you can’t check bags, wouldn’t you just check-in online?
It’s unfortunate that this happened on the son’s first-ever solo trip, but the father shouldn’t have gotten him into this situation. It’s a bit rich to then blame the airline, and say the son should have just gotten a warning, when the father admits he has been using this practice for up to eight years. I mean, heck, the father has taken this story to the media, even though he’s the one to blame, in my opinion.
Now, in fairness to the family, I am a bit confused by the claim that the son was “interrogated” in a “security room.” The story almost makes this sound like an FBI interrogation. Gainesville Airport is tiny, so did an American agent just maybe ask him to step aside so they could talk to him, or how intimidating was this “interrogation?” It doesn’t sound like police was involved, or anything, or that the teen was detained.
In fairness to the father and son, though, airlines have created the monster of hidden city ticketing due to their unnecessarily complicated pricing structures.
Bottom line
A teen got caught engaging in hidden city ticketing at Gainesville Airport while flying with American Airlines. The unfortunate part of the story is that it was the teen’s first trip alone, and his dad booked the ticket, and got him into this situation.
This was no doubt uncomfortable for the teen, but the dad shouldn’t have booked the ticket this way if he was so concerned about something going wrong with his teen son’s first solo trip.
What do you make of this hidden city ticketing situation?
Bad airline
American Airlines is not showing Etihad Award Flights online now. It was showing up until last week but today it isn't showing up. Could you please find out what is going on?
I worked for Delta Air Lines back in the late 80s and early 90s and the whole "hidden city" concept was a thing back then. For example passengers going to DFW would book a flight to Austin and not board the Austin flight when just going to DFW as it was cheaper. If we caught them, their return flights would be canceled. But don't blame the passengers for taking advantage of the airline's
idiotic pricing tactics!
I think it's more, caveat emptor, than blaming the airline. If you're trying to hack the system, you might get stung. If you get stung, it's only your own fault.....
I think the airlines have no right to stop this type of ticket purchasing. So many flights are overbooked, and fares are already pricey, and they are playing a pricing game, so let the customer play the game as well. If they allowed it, and placed a check out at the gate so that people doing this could check out of the plane, the airline would know there are vacant seats for the next hop as well as what is considered acceptable pricing for each leg.
I think this is a case of a kid who is too honest and doesn't know how to play the game. I'm guessing he checked in in person at the desk because he doesn't know how to use the self-serve kiosks and didn't check in online. Or maybe minors have to check in in person? In any case, the agent probably asked him where his destination was and he said Charlotte (rather than NY). I wouldn't be surprised if he even revealed to the agent he plans to get off in Charlotte.
Reading the comments, I fully suspect what I'm going to say will be hated and I'll be berated but truth and reality is often hated by those who don't want to be confronted with them.
Everyone loves hating the airlines, those big greedy bullies that just abuse the public and torture and extort them with small seats, tight legroom, "extortive" fees and BS "high prices" and above all...rules and policies contained in the Contract of...
Reading the comments, I fully suspect what I'm going to say will be hated and I'll be berated but truth and reality is often hated by those who don't want to be confronted with them.
Everyone loves hating the airlines, those big greedy bullies that just abuse the public and torture and extort them with small seats, tight legroom, "extortive" fees and BS "high prices" and above all...rules and policies contained in the Contract of Carriage that no one reads. They must be punished and complained about endlessly. Now that I'm sure I've lost about 99% of people, I'll still explain for that one or two people that actually want to understand the truth and reality of the airline world.
People complain endlessly about "high" ticket prices. Seriously? There is a well known saying about airlines...Do you want to become a millionaire in the airline industry? Start out as a billionaire. Profit margins in the airline industry are among the smallest in any industry in the business world. And the public demands they hemorrhage even more. But that is a rabbit trail I will resist going down at this time.
Everything an airline does is mandated by the government and most of it is outside their real control. Government controls 95% of what the public complains about the airlines doing and always gets the pass, while the airline is demanded to pay out in compensation at far greater rates than they get in ticket prices.
So let's look at a few examples: Delays, rerouting, cancellations, being bumped from a flight and overbooking...oh, gotcha there with those last two.
Let's look at overbooking and being bumped...direct impact from this very activity that this article is responsible in part for.
You hate that airlines overbook. You hate that you could be bumped and (volunteer or not) demand huge compensation far greater than you paid for your seat in the first place. Reports of $10,000 in compensation for a person to be bumped for a seat they didn't pay 1/10th that price for. But the airlines are so horrible and greedy. So let's see how that works out...in fact...shall we?
Any flight, doesn't matter. It has a fixed number of seats, there is no way to increase inventory, it is a fixed asset. From cost to purchase, cost to maintain, cost to crew, cost to fuel...all the operational expenses...it has only so many seats with which to cover those costs. Clearly, they want all those seats occupied as (with only a small variability in the fuel burn and time of handling, time to unload/load both above and below the floor) the costs are fixed. Only a few thousand dollars between a full plane and one that is only 1/4 full in time and fuel...the rest from airport fees and crew costs to maintenance, etc. are all hard numbers that don't change.
Thus, its the cheeks in the seats that make the difference of profit or loss on any given flight. And now...you skiplaggers and compensation seeking cheap seats come into play.
The movie "Airport" from 1970, the man complains about his flight costing $768. 1970 dollars were worth far more than those same greenbacks in 2023. So that movie flight from (to use real airports) Chicago to Rome cost $5947.52 in 2022 dollars. Today, that same flight (Kayak, expedia, cheapair as examples) Googles for $257 to $272...and first class would be around $8,000 in today's money. That is $35 in 1970 dollars for today's online 3rd party pricing. Let me ask you, what was your income in 1970 vs today, or the price of a house, a car? But you claim the airlines are ripping you off today.
So now, up front dollars out of the way, let's look at over booking. Those of you who support hidden city games, you are telling the airline and traveling public that you want that seat from city B to C. That means they airline assumes your cheeks will be in that seat...and telling the other people wanting to travel that there is not a seat available because you have claimed it as your own. That means your fellow traveler cannot book that seat, must alter their travel plans, at the least, and potentially take their business to another airline as a result at the worst. And then you do not show up and that seat now costs the airline money because they planned on spending that extra money on fuel for your cheeks and that seat goes empty...lost revenue as a result from both no one else able to buy the seat you never intended on using and the planned costs because the airline takes you at your word that you will be there. How dare they count on your integrity.
Therefore, they sell tickets to more people than they have room for because they "know" people won't show up. Some because the bar is more important that being at the gate, others who arrive late (fault or no fault of their own) and still others because (don't go calling me out for their own willful actions) they never intended on being there in the first place.
And if you get bumped, your air fare that is often less than a taxi fare across a major world city, you demand 3, 5, 10 times the value in compensation if you get bumped or they need you to willingly bump yourself in the rare occasions that everyone truly does show up on time.
BUT IT IS THE AIRLINE'S FAULT they charge ticket prices that they do. How dare they.
And then, with competition on routes, each airline plays games that ultimate drives prices down to near nothing on high volume routes where the costs to operate usually outweigh the cheeks in the seats contribution. So they make up for those losses in their other routes. How they dare they try to make profits that keep them in business.
No other industry in the world, other than the ship/cruise industries, have to spend the type of money to just acquire a single copy of the needed equipment to perform their business. An airplane costs many tens and hundreds of millions of dollars PER airframe and airlines need dozens and hundreds of them.
It is ultimately only through the volume of passengers that they turn a profit overall. And yet the traveling public demands first class concierge service while only willing to pay for a taxi ride or less. Or as I used to say to my father in jest, "Rolls Royce taste on a Tonka budget."
And I will happily go down the other rabbit trails to educate you on the other nuances...but I suspect few have even read what I have already posted because it is a difficult look in the mirror and what is looking back isn't what is wanted to be seen and acknowledged.
Thank you tackleberry909 for your sensible take. I look forward to hearing more from you.
Understandable= BUT how was a young boy on his first solo flight able to purchase another ticket????? Having been a former travel agent, I know about how precarious this can be.
If you know to look for hidden city tickets, you know that this violates the airline CoC. If you have done this all the time, you have probably used the same payment method each time, allowing the airline to more easily link all of the PNRs to show a pattern of abuse. Dad thought he could get away with it again, but the airline decided enough was enough. A shame the kid was caught in...
If you know to look for hidden city tickets, you know that this violates the airline CoC. If you have done this all the time, you have probably used the same payment method each time, allowing the airline to more easily link all of the PNRs to show a pattern of abuse. Dad thought he could get away with it again, but the airline decided enough was enough. A shame the kid was caught in the middle, but I'm with the airline on this one. (PS, an AA special ops security room hidden in the bowels of GNV for interrogations is bit over the top -- he was probably taken to the office behind the ticket counter. If they'd questioned the teen in public, we'd hear complaints that they deliberately shamed him in front of the masses of travelers at GNV.)
I can't understand why a parent or parents would allow their teenage son or daughter to go to an airport with thousands of people and hope he makes it home by himself. If he was found missing with a blame the airport or the airline??
Maybe because they respect and trust the kid and think they are responsilble and independent and want to helop teach them how to exist in the real world? Maybe because they're not a helicopter parent?
It's apparent from the comments and the author of the article, everyone is guessing and speculating. To me, the only facts are: The father booked a ticket with the intent the son to get off the flight during an interim stop. A ticket agent at the originating airport questioned the teen traveler about his travel plans. The teen was subsequently questiom further. His original ticket was cancelled. He had to purchase another ticket.
That's all folks
As a former airline employee I can't imagine we are getting the full story here. We didn't match up people's ID'S to their destinations and certainly didn't have anywhere to take anyone to interrogate them. I am guessing the hidden city ticket was exposed by the passenger needing to be rerouted for some reason.
"We didn't match up people's ID'S to their destinations and certainly didn't have anywhere to take anyone to interrogate them."
Yes. This. A lot of the commenters here are like those on the article about the people who died of carbon monoxide poisoning in a hotel. "100% sure it was drugs, we just don't know which ones." People should be less quick to jump to conclusions and less quick to unquestioningly believe one side of a story.
Absolute BS. The airline could handle this a thousand different ways rather than abuse their power in the situation. How about inform/ "remind" the child and father of the "contract". Ridiculous take to say the airline is not at fault here. Possibly within their right... possibly I'm within my rights to fart in your face as I sit down, but certainly not the "right" thing to do!
Maybe airlines should stop overcharging for a ticket to a city the flight is stopping in anyway.
I would do this any chance I get...I hate ALL airlines these days. They are horrible and have become bullies and only care about money! They can do what ever they want, even cancel flights and make you foot the bill for a room. I say take advantage ANY way you can.
"They ONLY care about money"... what the hell else would they care about? It's a business. not a government run public service.
Right. Then it should be all about money to me too...because it's MY MONEY.
I’m an older adult who flies frequently. While it has never occurred to me to buy a “hidden city” ticket, I also had never heard of it. And, seriously, who reads the fine print we agree to in most online contracts?
Sounds like another racist non gender affirming example at play. The gate agent needs diversity training or they should be removed from the gate. They do not have the authority to refuse boarding to this disabled child.
The airline frown and logic are only to prevent customers flying under a cheaper airfare. Whilst they don't lose if someone hops off, the real story is that they don't gain.
Airlines really have customers by the throat. It's not illegal and it doesn't cost them to facilite the trip. I had a similar situation flying to Raliegh via Charlotte with a 9-hour layover in Chartlotte. I contemplated hopping off and going home with...
The airline frown and logic are only to prevent customers flying under a cheaper airfare. Whilst they don't lose if someone hops off, the real story is that they don't gain.
Airlines really have customers by the throat. It's not illegal and it doesn't cost them to facilite the trip. I had a similar situation flying to Raliegh via Charlotte with a 9-hour layover in Chartlotte. I contemplated hopping off and going home with a 1.5 hour drive. Instead I stayed for 9 hours at the airport. I was also a 1.5 drive from Raliegh. Of course the airline has no explanation, just that its thier policy. Mine was United. The contribution to human well being would be great. Rather than have 59 people milling around an airport, they could be spending productive time elsewhere.
Sounds like an unaccompanied minor flying by himself. Airline has a responsibility to make sure the individual is safe and not being coerced into some sort of human trafficing event. Seconday to this If the father was so concerned about his son, why wasnt he flying along with the boy to ensure his safety. The big picture is that the father prevented someone from utilizing the great airfare to New York because he just wanted to scam the system. He's a scammer.
I'm certainly not taking the father's side, but I've honestly never heard of "hidden city" ticketing. I'm 48, and I've already taken six flights this year. I never knew this was a thing.
You are right. Most people don't. It's only avgeeks and cheats who have heard about it, and the father in question is no avgeek.
Can someone tell me how it is not collusion when the airlines all intentionally charge the same price by destination, which is why this type of travel works in the first place?
It’s not collusion because the airlines aren’t asking each other “how much should we charge for XXX-YYY. One airline may match another’s price, but as long as they don’t coordinate, it is not collusion.
And no other airline flies GVN-CLT - so collusion is impossible.
No one wants to mention the fare being much higher to end his trip in NC rather than NY? If it weren't for AA jacking prices on everything just to make more profit to make up for their virtue signaling during the lockdowns. Poor business model when you go woke you go broke. I'll never fly AA again. Plus, have you heard about their
How does this have anything to do with AA being “woke”? Please tell.
I agree, that was bad negligence on the father’s part. He was more than capable of looking it up or contacting American to ask. The son should be complaining to him for being a bad influence. I think American is right to ban these two.
It is possible the dad not know. I wasn't aware of this or even the name until a few years ago. I have been traveling since the 80s. Of course, never purchased a ticket for one location and not complete the trip. Secondly, why would the dad Google the ideal if he has never heard of it. Why even if used skip×**** or whatever it's called would they advertise this method. Makes your statement contradictory....
It is possible the dad not know. I wasn't aware of this or even the name until a few years ago. I have been traveling since the 80s. Of course, never purchased a ticket for one location and not complete the trip. Secondly, why would the dad Google the ideal if he has never heard of it. Why even if used skip×**** or whatever it's called would they advertise this method. Makes your statement contradictory. Yes, the dad has taken responsibility of this because he's not aware. Finally, American Airlines were definitely out of order interrogating the minor regardless and should be dealt with.
There's so much missing from the story. I work for an airline and when I see a hidden City I advise the passenger that they need to travel to the final destination as originally ticketed including their bags tag. If they insist otherwise we have ways to alert the company without having to interview anybody
The person most at fault here is the busybody gate agent who "became suspicious" over an irrelevant trifle.
Second up is the airline, which has no legitimate business interest in these ridiculous fare structures. Are they selling the Charlotte-NY leg at a loss with the expectation that a warm body in each seat will lose money at the casino, and will book excursions, buy an unlimited drinks package, and participate in the onboard art auction?
How is this different than buying a bus ticket from Miami to New York and getting off in South Carolina and not re-board!?
Or bottle of Coke on sale and only drinking half of it. Coca-Cola doesn't give a damn how much of the product you use when it's on sale and this year as hell or not going to force you to buy smaller bottle just because you didn't drink all of the big bottle.
I question the contract aa has that makes you use both flights - sounds like Congress should ban that. You buy something and don’t use it too bad. Airlines trying to rig the pricing is to blame.
Hearing this makes me not want to fly on AA if I have a choice.
Anytime you want to outsmart them by putting your family's interest first, it's against "the law". The fact that they are rubbing our pockets for so long is yet totally fine. Not to mention that the AA action is under no circumstances justified against an innocent teenager. AA is anything but American.
The father took the risk and got caught, but on the other hand AA did not handle this situation properly either and there are many aspects that do not make sense
There is a lot of missing information such as about the agent and the driver's license. What made the agent suspicious? If I was a seasoned traveler I might consider this type of fare but for a first-timer, doesn't make sense.
The person who made the booking should be the one who is banned, especially in the case of a minor. I mean, as far as I know, most states give parents the right to tell their children what to do, and so the kid did what his father told him to do. Even if the kid was over 18, it was his first time flying: how is he supposed to know that you can’t throw...
The person who made the booking should be the one who is banned, especially in the case of a minor. I mean, as far as I know, most states give parents the right to tell their children what to do, and so the kid did what his father told him to do. Even if the kid was over 18, it was his first time flying: how is he supposed to know that you can’t throw away parts of tickets you don’t use. (Trains let you get off wherever you want after you buy a ticket to go farther. So do Greyhound buses.)
Also minors generally aren’t allowed to enter into contracts. The T&C of carriage is a contract that the teen couldn’t legally consent to in most states.
Agree the minor should not be responsible and the parents should. If the "child" is over 18, then he would be responsible even if it is his first time traveling as he would be an adult.
9-11 has left me cold today flying, especially with the family. We rarely used to travel and it’s just weird to be taken aside as a family for a “randomly” interrogated. I prefer riding Amtrak now. It doesn’t matter what airline I it is. “Security” has become very lucrative for the people who sell the equipment. It’s all about the almighty dollar.
Saints preserve us.
c/s
"interrogation room"? Yeah, that's not a thing. Airlines have a lot of power, but they cannot detain passengers without getting local law enforcement involved.
This father is an A**hole for booking this type of ticket, that he knew was sketch, and just drops his son off. For a first solo flight he could have at least escorted him to the lobby. A classy Dad would have requested a gate pass and made sure his son got on the flight with bags in hand.
Just saying.
Agree.
I'm guessing you've never worked for an airline? There is usually a break room/ locker room (usually multiple) somewhere for them to use. They are allowed to and can take passengers into it. Considering how depressing those rooms are, I would totally consider that an interrogation room if I was being questioned in it
Can anyone, anywhere, explain how it could possibly be cheaper to have two flights?
Far as I know, costs are things like fuel, airport fees, pilots, whatever the word is for flight attendants today, food... all of which are obviously increased during the second flight.
I could not care less about who did whay and what language is where. I would like to understand that specific thing. Does anyone here have any insight aside from "they suck" or "aliens"?
Short answer, federal subsidies on small airports create these opportunities. Flying hub to hub is still full price.
Airlines sometimes compete on price between certain markets. For example, if AA has $99 fares from DCA to ORD on a nonstop, Delta might offer $89 fares from DCA to ORD with a connection through DTW to try to entice Washington to Chicago travelers to switch. But since they’re only offering that fare to attract people on that specific pairing to switch, they might’ve left their DCA-DTW nonstops priced as normal, which might be, say,...
Airlines sometimes compete on price between certain markets. For example, if AA has $99 fares from DCA to ORD on a nonstop, Delta might offer $89 fares from DCA to ORD with a connection through DTW to try to entice Washington to Chicago travelers to switch. But since they’re only offering that fare to attract people on that specific pairing to switch, they might’ve left their DCA-DTW nonstops priced as normal, which might be, say, $129. In this particular case, it would be cheaper for someone actually going Washington to Detroit to book a DL DCA-DTW-ORD ticket and throw away the second flight. Large hubs often have this situation happen since lots of pairings go through them.
As I mentioned in other comments on this story, the airline prices the nonstop that only they serve at a big markup over cost, because most of those who want to travel that depart / arrive pair have no good alternative. The same airline charges a competitive price for the city pair that is also served by other airlines. The markup for the monopoly city pair is so high that the single hop is priced...
As I mentioned in other comments on this story, the airline prices the nonstop that only they serve at a big markup over cost, because most of those who want to travel that depart / arrive pair have no good alternative. The same airline charges a competitive price for the city pair that is also served by other airlines. The markup for the monopoly city pair is so high that the single hop is priced higher than the double hop competitive ticket that includes it. To protect their revenue from buyers who might buy the cheaper option, they impose a contract that facially does not allow a passenger to decline to fly the second leg, and punish those that do by nullifying earned frequent flyer miles and benefits, and/or refusing to transport those passengers.
Those of us who live in Charlotte are used to the "AA monopoly tax." It always costs us more to fly anywhere because American has no meaningful competition at their hub.
It's "Flight Attendant" literally the same name they have been since the 70s.
If there is no law against the airline should not be able to stop it. It's like counting cards at a casino, it's not cheating, it's not a crime but we let them get away with banning it.
Companies ban things all the time that are not a crime - “no shirt, no shoes, no service.” What’s wrong with banning something that’s not illegal? You realize that if you make it illegal to some ban things that service providers will just stop offering that service. Make a ban counting cards illegal, then casinos will stop offering blackjack.
I bet the father booked his son’s ticket through the dad’s AAdvantage account. AA has all of the father’s hidden city history and I think that’s how this came to the agent’s attention.
Agree with you 100%. Dad needs to take responsibility for the problem. And not leave his teenage son in the lurch.
The teen’s father states that his “concerns are he is a minor and was kind of left to fend for himself several states away.”
Didn't the teen's father already leave him to fend for himself several states away?
And even if he hadn't gotten caught by the airline, a number of things could have gone wrong that would have left the kid stranded. Buy a ticket to New York, and the only thing that you're guaranteed is transport to New York...
How minor is a minor if he has a drivers license?
I would suggest that he would need to be at least 16 - totally capable of flying by himself...! But the father is quick to pick up on his youth and inexperience...!
Why Blame the father. The airline is at fault because of their ticketing prices. You sound so holier-than-thou. You probably have done this yourself. It's not illegal. Get a life
I call bologna on the father "oh, I didn't know it wasn't allowed" - only an idiot wouldn't know, especially if he's been doing it that long.
A terrorist can use that technique. That's what happened with the TWA 747 that exploded over Lockerbie Scotland years ago. Terrorist booked flight to US, got off in Germany. Flight with his bomb laden bag continued.
Not even considering that Skiplaggers don’t check bags, this is also overlooks the idea that all checked bags are run through explosive detection machines.
@Jeffrey L Dranetz
That was Pan Am . At the time there were only 2 flights in the evening on the LHR-JFK route ; both 747s. I met a retired doctor who flew all over the world giving lectures and was Concierge Key w american . He was on TWA the night of the Lockerbie bombing. Had he been a Pan Am clipper frequent fliers he would have been on that flight.
@D3Kingg - why should he allow facts to get in the way of his erroneous belief? ;)
I don't think you're doing any favours when you say that hidden city tickets violates airlines T&Cs. This might be true for many airlines, mostly US-based, but it's not the case on all of them.
For example BA states that you can abandon your trip and that the ticket becomes invalid unless it is repriced. As you are dropping the last leg, no repricing needs to take place.
My take: when you check with a person they’ll verify your final destination. I can see it as Mr Smith we have you connecting in Charlotte to NYC.
Teen: I’m getting off in Charlotte
Just an innocent bit of honesty.
Shame on the father. Now that he’s bragged about it going on for 8 years it’s not too difficult to see AA as well as others looking up the fathers FF account...
My take: when you check with a person they’ll verify your final destination. I can see it as Mr Smith we have you connecting in Charlotte to NYC.
Teen: I’m getting off in Charlotte
Just an innocent bit of honesty.
Shame on the father. Now that he’s bragged about it going on for 8 years it’s not too difficult to see AA as well as others looking up the fathers FF account and with very little effort ban the whole family (those that have used hidden city)
It will be interesting to see what happens/happend to the father
I guarantee 90% of Americans don't think there is an issue with hidden city bookings. They are as likely to read AA contracts as AA execs are likely to read software and website rules and conditions.
If he is a minor and AA used intimidation tactics that's an issue.
But quite honestly being banned from AA is probably a blessing. That airline bites. They are the only airline where I didn't like the business class...
I guarantee 90% of Americans don't think there is an issue with hidden city bookings. They are as likely to read AA contracts as AA execs are likely to read software and website rules and conditions.
If he is a minor and AA used intimidation tactics that's an issue.
But quite honestly being banned from AA is probably a blessing. That airline bites. They are the only airline where I didn't like the business class product from bad food to grumpy flight attendants across multiple continents. The last flight I took with them was to peru in 2016 and haven't gave them anymore business after that.
Sure, my mom doesn't know there's a problem with hidden city bookings, but she also would never think to try it.
I guarantee that, among the people who actually use hidden city bookings (the relevant population here), the vast majority are aware that it is not strictly on the up-and-up.
Why would an average teen (or anyone for that matter) think it's "not quite right" to skip the last leg? As far as they're likely concerned, they bought a seat on the flight so they're going to take the flight.
I've met very few non-frequent flyer enthusiasts who a) know about airline revenue management or b) care about it. I can very well believe that the father didn't know there was anything wrong with doing...
Why would an average teen (or anyone for that matter) think it's "not quite right" to skip the last leg? As far as they're likely concerned, they bought a seat on the flight so they're going to take the flight.
I've met very few non-frequent flyer enthusiasts who a) know about airline revenue management or b) care about it. I can very well believe that the father didn't know there was anything wrong with doing it. Obviously the airlines don't LIKE you doing it, but that's very different to the airlines forbidding you from doing it. At no point in the booking process is this highlighted - if you're going to claim that the average person digs into fare rules and booking conditions then I've got some surprising information for you...
Yes this is likely what happened.
Firstly the teen is old enough to have a driver's license so he can't be that young - it is quite possible he could even be nearly 18 (assuming the "minor" statement is true). So you'd think said teen would know it's not quite right to have a ticket to NY when you're going to CLT. His dad probably just said, oh it's fine don't worry about it.
I suspect "interrogated" means he was just...
Firstly the teen is old enough to have a driver's license so he can't be that young - it is quite possible he could even be nearly 18 (assuming the "minor" statement is true). So you'd think said teen would know it's not quite right to have a ticket to NY when you're going to CLT. His dad probably just said, oh it's fine don't worry about it.
I suspect "interrogated" means he was just taken to a the side and asked a few questions. Probably a lot of exaggeration on either the teens part (who doesn't know a teen who exaggerates or makes more of something than it really is?) & then his father's part on being caught for something he surely knew was openly frowned upon by the airline. The guy admits to using skiplagged for 5+ years - the site is quite open on its website about the dangers of hidden city ticketing.
The fact airlines charge significantly more for these short direct flights rather than connecting ones is another matter and I'm sure most people wish that weren't the case, and it seems worse in the US than Europe... But it does happen in Europe too for some of the comments thinking it doesn't, and for the most part it's not ok there either. But either way that's how it is and they broke the T&C's and got caught and now are whining to the media.
In NC, you can get a limited use drivers license at 15.
Your article and thought reflets exactly why in the US corporates are more important than people, compared to Europe.
The fact there is something in written in a contract does not make it legally binding, if it’s abusive. And in this case it’s abusive as it cuts the the individual freedom.
If on a Mcdonalds it’s cheaper to buy a Big Mac meal than a burger and fries separated, nothing prevents you to...
Your article and thought reflets exactly why in the US corporates are more important than people, compared to Europe.
The fact there is something in written in a contract does not make it legally binding, if it’s abusive. And in this case it’s abusive as it cuts the the individual freedom.
If on a Mcdonalds it’s cheaper to buy a Big Mac meal than a burger and fries separated, nothing prevents you to buy the meal that includes a drink and only eat the burger and the fries.
Here is the same. In an European court the airline would lose the case. Like they already lost on cases where the passenger did not board the outbound flight and the airline cancelled the return. It’s not legal even if it’s written in the contract.
Not to mention the ‘Passenger interrogation’. Who the hell are they to interrogate? There is no security suspicion.
But I see the author supports this abusive airline practices.
I guess because he does not know what is living in a world that corporate companies are to be subject to the law and the people and not the other way around.
Oh boy, a McDonalds analogy. :roll:
To make it worse he (father) says i have done this for years!
Let's guess the next person getting ban from American airline?
AA was doing there job plain and simple.
The blame sits with the dad.
And why? When you buy a Big Mac meal that is cheaper than buying a Big Mac and fries separate and you don’t drink the Coke you shall be banned from MacDonalds? Yeah now you see the point :)
PS: and nope the argument is not: ‘it’s different’
Did I agree to some terms and conditions that mandate I have to consume the entirety of the combo meal? If I did and I didn’t do that, then it’s the same. Heck, if you told the cashier at McDonald’s that you’re carrying your own bottle of water and to skip the coke, he or she will likely smile at you and say it’s not a problem. Call american and tell them you want the...
Did I agree to some terms and conditions that mandate I have to consume the entirety of the combo meal? If I did and I didn’t do that, then it’s the same. Heck, if you told the cashier at McDonald’s that you’re carrying your own bottle of water and to skip the coke, he or she will likely smile at you and say it’s not a problem. Call american and tell them you want the Gainesville to Charlotte to NY ticket but to skip the Charlotte to NY portion and I’m guessing they won’t tell you it’s not a problem.
That’s the thing. Some terms and conditions are abusive. In Europe a court would not recognise the absolute right for the corporate to set the rules. They can be questioned.
But apparently in the US you accept that a corporate values more than a person.
How isn't the answer, "it's different"? An airline ticket doesn't grant you ownership to a consumable good that you are free to do with as you please.
That’s the thing. Some terms and conditions are abusive. In Europe a court would not recognise the absolute right for the corporate to set the rules. They can be questioned.
But apparently in the US you accept that a corporate values more than a person.
Well, if airlines would stop making it practically unaffordable for the average American to fly while raking in massive profits, people would not resort to this. It's ridiculous how they were able to legally interrogate this teen who broke no laws! He didn't break any laws, he just made you a little upset. Get over it American Airlines! People are going to continue doing this type of thing until airlines start treating customers better. It's...
Well, if airlines would stop making it practically unaffordable for the average American to fly while raking in massive profits, people would not resort to this. It's ridiculous how they were able to legally interrogate this teen who broke no laws! He didn't break any laws, he just made you a little upset. Get over it American Airlines! People are going to continue doing this type of thing until airlines start treating customers better. It's ridiculously how tax layers are expected to bail out airlines when they are in trouble, but they have every right to completely destroy a person's vacation or trip home with no repercussions.
The affordability (or lack thereof) of flight is a consequence of space limitations and population growth. The USA underinvests in infrastructure, which means airports stay the same size while the traveling population increases over time. There are only two outcomes here:
1. Airlines keep airfares low. Planes will sell out quicker and there would be no flights available.
2. Airlines keep airfares in line with market forces. Planes are always available but flights can...
The affordability (or lack thereof) of flight is a consequence of space limitations and population growth. The USA underinvests in infrastructure, which means airports stay the same size while the traveling population increases over time. There are only two outcomes here:
1. Airlines keep airfares low. Planes will sell out quicker and there would be no flights available.
2. Airlines keep airfares in line with market forces. Planes are always available but flights can reach astronomically expensive prices.
Neither circumstance is great for the average traveler, obviously. The average traveler should enthusiastically support Democrat policies of increased taxes to pay for infrastructure investments, building more gates and runways, allowing more flights to take off and land.
"...should enthusiastically support Democrat policies..."
Goodwin's Law says that as an online discussion grows longer, regardless of topic or scope, the probability of a comparison to Nazis or Adolf Hitler approaches 100%. Here we see the sad modern take: sooner or later a political partisan of either side will find an excuse to pimp their party.
I'm not sure why the demonstrably false claim that airfares in the US are high continues to be repeated. Adjusted for inflation, the tendency has been dramatically lower airfare over the years:
https://simpleflying.com/50-years-airfares/
That's not to deny that the short term trend is up. More demand combined with less supply will do that. But none of this has anything to do with the airline cracking down on a violation of the ticket's contract of carriage....
I'm not sure why the demonstrably false claim that airfares in the US are high continues to be repeated. Adjusted for inflation, the tendency has been dramatically lower airfare over the years:
https://simpleflying.com/50-years-airfares/
That's not to deny that the short term trend is up. More demand combined with less supply will do that. But none of this has anything to do with the airline cracking down on a violation of the ticket's contract of carriage.
Don't like the contract of carriage? Hire a private jet, and learn what "practically unaffordable" actually means.
you should have flown 40 years ago. Flying is dirt cheap now. Even with all the extras. First one I flew with my family was in 1986, Cleveland to Phoenix. The ticket was $280, that's $750 on today's money.
The airlines are gouging people who are flying into and out of smaller airports, and forcing people to pay those prices through contracts of carriage from the 19th century.
Can't believe more people aren't angry with this. Its why flight in Europe is cheaper and more logically priced then here
Please explain why this pricing is illogical. Please.
There is little demand for GVN-CLT and only one airline flies it. AA. So AA charges what it can for that flight. There IS much more demand for GVN-NYC, so AA HAS to compete on price, which it does. Supply and demand. What is illogical?
If he was under 18 that would be the reason he had to check in with an agent because he's technically an unaccompanied minor, that happens to be of age to be able to fly with the service of unaccompanied minor. Then him having a NC ID/DL would raise the red flag that he wasn't going from FL to NY, but from FL to NC. The dad knew Exactly what he was doing, too bad...
If he was under 18 that would be the reason he had to check in with an agent because he's technically an unaccompanied minor, that happens to be of age to be able to fly with the service of unaccompanied minor. Then him having a NC ID/DL would raise the red flag that he wasn't going from FL to NY, but from FL to NC. The dad knew Exactly what he was doing, too bad the son has to suffer for it. People do this all the time then get mad at the airlines for catching them! How do you get mad at someone catching you trying to commit fraud against them/their company? Whew
A good reminder that airlines and TSA accept forms of ID that do not show your home address. Such IDs may include your passport, passport card, or Trusted Traveler card.
The act of purchasing something and consuming a part of it is not, in common sense, fraudulent....
A good reminder that airlines and TSA accept forms of ID that do not show your home address. Such IDs may include your passport, passport card, or Trusted Traveler card.
The act of purchasing something and consuming a part of it is not, in common sense, fraudulent. It's a very peculiar technicality that hidden city ticketing is fraudulent.
So now the airline can scrutinize me based on the address on my ID? That's making an assumption. May be I have a legitimate reason to go to the final destination.
@iamhere - but he wasn't going to the final destination. He could have been, but wasn't. There was probably a flag on the itinerary because the father had been doing this for "5 or 8 years".
Not necessarily. Many years ago I flew alone and was not listed as an unaccompanied minor before I was 18. Sure, I was not 6, but this kid can't be that young if he has a drivers license.
Son is not completely innocent. Stop defending and label he is a victim alone. Good or sensible person would have asked why you buy ticket to ny etc .. plus he had travel with he family too just may not know whole detail before. He has brain unless low IQ
Welcome to Gilead world where corporate companies are more important than people. Your believes are amazing!
What, exactly, do you propose the son do? Tell his father he's not going to fly using a hidden city ticket and demand that he pay for a full price, direct ticket? Buy his own ticket at such prices? Let's be honest, 100 out of 100 teenage minors would have taken the ticket bought for them and gone with it.
I did this kind of thing on a trip to Charlotte. I thought I was doing American a favor by getting off at Charlotte instead of continuing on. Less weight and more room on the plane, but I guess I was wrong. So now I just drive instead of flying on American.
Kid tried to check his bag and said he only needed it for the first leg. Only plausible explanation here.
Also if hidden city is such a problem for the airlines then dont make it cheaper otherwise in today's world of you know the internet where we can check prices consumers are going to still do it.
If his father is familiar with this he would have instructed his son not to check his bag.
It’s nice to see this is being addressed, when people do that, it just increases the price we have to pay.
Why? Why is flying two segments less than one segment?! That should be the big question. CLT is a AA Hub, and depending on what airport in NY, it could be a hub also.
There are always people on the standby list...and they already paid for the seat, so who cares. And to play devil's advocate, what if weather forced the CLT-NY flight to cancel...there's no compensation (and rightfully so), but they might have...
Why? Why is flying two segments less than one segment?! That should be the big question. CLT is a AA Hub, and depending on what airport in NY, it could be a hub also.
There are always people on the standby list...and they already paid for the seat, so who cares. And to play devil's advocate, what if weather forced the CLT-NY flight to cancel...there's no compensation (and rightfully so), but they might have to fly to a different airport on a different airline. Airlines still oversell seats, so they can deal with this.
What strange law, in Europe you can do that an also you will always get your luggage, cause it will not fly without you. there have been sentence bei court that the airline is not allowed to collect more money from a person. If I buy a meal and only eat half and give half of the meal back it's also allright. What a nonsense rule is that.
No. Only Italy permits it provided the trip is to /from Italy.
If you have baggage it will be checked to your final destination. Some airlines charge a hefty fee if you want to short ship it. Even if you don’t have baggage if you check in online it causes disruptions and inconvenience for the staff and other passengers as there’s a risk of delays with checked bags having to be offloaded
if I fly BUD-FRA-CDG, I can book BUD-FRA overnight CDG and my baggage is on the Karussell in FRA. Or if I book BUD-FRA-CDG on one day I can ask the Checkin to just check the luggage to FRA, they do it in 90%. If not I go to the baggage claim in FRA and tell them that I will not continue the flight out of personal reasons. They will then send the baggage to...
if I fly BUD-FRA-CDG, I can book BUD-FRA overnight CDG and my baggage is on the Karussell in FRA. Or if I book BUD-FRA-CDG on one day I can ask the Checkin to just check the luggage to FRA, they do it in 90%. If not I go to the baggage claim in FRA and tell them that I will not continue the flight out of personal reasons. They will then send the baggage to the carousel even if it is checked to CDG. In Europe Baggage is not allowed to fly in a plane without the passenger on board. It's easy going. One time LH tried to charge a passagener who has booked a second overlapping LH flight before he booked the other flight. the court ruled against LH. He had not to pay anything on top. It's just an american thing. I have often booked a ticket like WAW-FRA-CDG and then in FRA called the SEN hotline and told them to cancel FRA-CDG an give me back my taxes. They always returned my taxes to the credit card and never charged anything on top.
And don’t use the stupid buying a meal analogy. It’s not the same. There’s a reason why airlines sell cheaper tickets from other destinations eg via Amsterdam to compete with direct carriers.
And people always claim they yet didn’t know which is BS as they post on travel blogs how they like to cheat.
German courts don't see it like you see it.
Buying a meal analogy is exactly the same. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t make it not the same.
The direct competition is none of my business. They do the pricing, I do my choices. Only in Gilead world corporates are more important than people.
To be clear, "countries" do not forbid this with laws nor recommendations. The stupid airlines with software written by people who never even been to the airport and corporate execs who don't know what software requirements mean are the ones prohibiting this. If you can't make your system work just stick a footnote with 6 point font on your ticket and say it was clearly written.
Seems odd that you need to show an ID when checking in at the counter but no ID is required by online or airport machine.
As ridiculous as it sounds to justify the airlines' practice, it is, as we like to say, a free country, and if an airline wants to charge you $1,000 to fly from A to B but only $200 to fly from A to C even if the plane happens to be making a stop at B, that is the airline's prerogative, and you are free not to fly on that airline. Well, it's actually not...
As ridiculous as it sounds to justify the airlines' practice, it is, as we like to say, a free country, and if an airline wants to charge you $1,000 to fly from A to B but only $200 to fly from A to C even if the plane happens to be making a stop at B, that is the airline's prerogative, and you are free not to fly on that airline. Well, it's actually not quite that simple, since the ability to travel between A, B & C is not unlimited, since there are only a few airlines and flights available, but unless and until Congress decides to ban contractual conditions like this, they are enforceable. Now, that's not to say that AA had any right to interrogate a minor, if that is indeed what happened, but they probably did have the right under the terms of carriage to cancel his ticket or, perhaps, to charge the full fare to the father's credit card.
The restaurant analogy is not on point. It is hard to imagine any restaurant that can make more money selling an entire meal than selling the courses separately, but because of competitive and logistical factors this is exactly what happens in the travel industry. Even in the food business, you might have it. Imagine going into an ice cream shop that charges $5 per serving but if you order the big $25 banana split that is the equivalent of six servings and eat the whole thing you can have it for only $5. If you leave as much as one pecan or bit if syrup, you will pay the full $25.
There are several things in this category concerning air travel. On some, the airlines can crack down, as in this case, but on others, not so much. If you book nested round trips in order to take advantage of lower fares for stays over a weekend, in some instances, it may be impossible to decide whether this is violating the rules for two short trips or legitimately is one very long round trip with a shorter "side trip" within it. And these days, it seems rare to find a round trip priced lower than a one-way fare, but if you did find it, what's an airline going to do if you don't show up for the return flight? Or if I live in New Jersey, does an airline have any beef with me if I choose to fly into Philadelphia on a cheap flight and drive an hour home versus an expensive flight to Newark and a shorter drive home?
When an airline overbooks and bump you from a flight ‘because it’s more profitable’ or cancels flights due to poor staff planning etc they have no moral to impose any rules. Plain and simple!
This is why America is has yet to seen it's worst, ain't getting better either.
From all the comments that reflect the mindset of current Americans to parents on how they set an examples to the future generations.
This is what many Americans are leading by example today.
You break or bend the rules for your own benefit.
You show that you can get away with it.
If get caught, play the...
This is why America is has yet to seen it's worst, ain't getting better either.
From all the comments that reflect the mindset of current Americans to parents on how they set an examples to the future generations.
This is what many Americans are leading by example today.
You break or bend the rules for your own benefit.
You show that you can get away with it.
If get caught, play the victim card, equality card, or some popular cards, etc.
If fail, seek social media.
What people should have done is don't break the rules, no need the rest for damage control.
I agree.
Agree 100%.
Moral failing + bad parenting = what we have today.
Making the distinction between what's right and what's wrong - and actually doing what's right - is seen as naive, stupid, and laughable nowadays. The comments here perfectly illustrate this.
Let's not kid ourselves here, social media is the only thing that is new. People have been breaking rules for their own benefit, trying not to get caught, and coming up with excuses/justifications for their behavior for as long as rules have existed. Same with bad parenting.
Yes, this is why "America has yet to see the worst". Not the staggeringly high murder rate. Not the vast numbers of homeless on the streets. Not the drug epidemic. Not the medical bankruptcies. It's the teenagers who complain because they got in trouble after trying to skip the last leg of a flight.
Jesus Christ.
very much agree
I'm surprised that so many commenters are unquestioningly believing the father's tale of AA having dedicated interrogation rooms and interrogators at a small regional airport. I'll believe it when I hear it from a reliable source, which this guy is not.
The father said he always planned trips this way. Did they have a single segment one trip ticket getting them home?
I think 2 things we can all agree on:
1. The "booker" is obviously the dad of the year, and deserves a very solid btchslapping.
2. If American did "detain" and "interrogate" the kid over this - whoever is the employee that thought he has the power and authority to detain and interrogate a kid should be btchslapped twice as hard and fired.
The practice is controversial and I actually think right now...
I think 2 things we can all agree on:
1. The "booker" is obviously the dad of the year, and deserves a very solid btchslapping.
2. If American did "detain" and "interrogate" the kid over this - whoever is the employee that thought he has the power and authority to detain and interrogate a kid should be btchslapped twice as hard and fired.
The practice is controversial and I actually think right now we have a decent middle ground - you should be able to take advantage of it if you really have to without abusing, but it should also remain discouraged, as it is now:
No, father should not "take responsibility"... this was clearly an example the airline abusing the child because it had the means to do so. This is what it looks like to be a subject. This is the kind of future the powers at be want to see: people crowd controlled like cattle and bending to their every whim. The kid should learn now what happens if you give them an inch. His "confession" manifested their power. They had none until he gave it away. Don't do it.
"Abusing the child" ?
Really? Karen?
Were you in the room or are you just listening to someone mad he got caught?
hidden city only works with one way fares - was this guy's family traveling on one way all these years?
And three year ban sounds very harsh for the first-time offender (it was the teen, not the dad!). Also, I can see the agent in the airport power tripping and throwing a book at him - but can airport agents ban passengers? It gotta be decided higher up.
Looks like a few details are missing here. Hope Ben keeps an eye on this story
If they did this with an UM their a$$ is grass. Under no circumstance should an UM be questioned without an adult or legal guardian present. What a bunch of morons.
I doubt it’s a UM. Teen can be 18 which is an adult. He probably also knew as daddy explained to him. Then he’s claiming discrimination as he’s a child. BS
You're assuming he's at least 18. He can get a graduated license in nc at 15. And hasn't everyone seen law and order, you know the lawyer will ask if you questioned their client without counsel.
Based on the information provided, the teenager had a drivers license but was still a minor, so he was 16 or 17. In any event, he was not being questioned by law enforcement. People (including those conducting business) are allowed to ask questions and talk to minors. And also, the parents made the decision to send him without an adult or legal guardian, what exactly was the airline supposed to do when they think a...
Based on the information provided, the teenager had a drivers license but was still a minor, so he was 16 or 17. In any event, he was not being questioned by law enforcement. People (including those conducting business) are allowed to ask questions and talk to minors. And also, the parents made the decision to send him without an adult or legal guardian, what exactly was the airline supposed to do when they think a minor is violating the terms of carriage? Outright deny him boarding based on their suspicions? Hold him until a legal guardian arrived so he could be questioned? Obviously not.
In conclusion, George Romey is wrong, and there is generally nothing wrong with an individual who is not part of law enforcement asking questions of minors without a parent or guardian present, particularly when necessary to conduct business in the parents' absence. Now, if they actually detained him in any fashion, that would be a separate story...
It’s stupid that a shorter flight should cost you more than a longer flight. Don’t make the rules so ridiculous that people need to try to circumvent them.
He took the risk and got caught. End of story. Many of us frequent fliers tell people not to do it.
Not sympathetic at all even if was just a "kid".
The fault is from the airlines. They should have logical pricing systems.
They do have logical pricing. Gainesville to Charlotte was in high demand that day (so higher price) and Gainesville to New York was in low demand (so lower price).
But they are still taking up a seat on the flight to Charlotte one way or the other.
Derp. The kid was on the high demand plane for the first leg, so why is it cheaper to be on the plane if you are then going on an entire other plane with crew and needing more fuel??
The airlines are gouging people who are flying into and out of smaller airports, and forcing people to pay those prices through contracts of carriage from the 19th century.
Can't believe more people aren't angry...
Derp. The kid was on the high demand plane for the first leg, so why is it cheaper to be on the plane if you are then going on an entire other plane with crew and needing more fuel??
The airlines are gouging people who are flying into and out of smaller airports, and forcing people to pay those prices through contracts of carriage from the 19th century.
Can't believe more people aren't angry with this. Its why flight in Europe is cheaper and more logically priced then here
You must never fly to CLT as your destination. If you did you'd know AA screws you with that destination as they basically own it and can do what they want. I fly in to NC regularly and am flexible enough that I can fly to RDU, CLT or possibly AVL or GSO. It is ALWAYS more expensive if ending and beginning in CLT and I mean 50% to 70% more than flying through CLT...
You must never fly to CLT as your destination. If you did you'd know AA screws you with that destination as they basically own it and can do what they want. I fly in to NC regularly and am flexible enough that I can fly to RDU, CLT or possibly AVL or GSO. It is ALWAYS more expensive if ending and beginning in CLT and I mean 50% to 70% more than flying through CLT on the way to one of those other destinations. I'm not defending the father particularly but not surprised he booked the ticket that way.
With all of the government regulations, & clean and green action and rhetoric taking place these days.... how can this even legally transpire?
Granted, I understand that the conditions of carriage are in place. They are a legally binding document that nobody ever looks at. The airlines have intentionally made things this way. Just another 30 minutes to read while your price goes up as your class just sold out.
Although I don't like...
With all of the government regulations, & clean and green action and rhetoric taking place these days.... how can this even legally transpire?
Granted, I understand that the conditions of carriage are in place. They are a legally binding document that nobody ever looks at. The airlines have intentionally made things this way. Just another 30 minutes to read while your price goes up as your class just sold out.
Although I don't like government control, this is one situation that i believe that they should have their hands in.
Extortionate corporate greedy airlines have caused this entire ordeal.
Likewise, why is it usually more expensive to take a one-way trip than a round-trip? It is an absolute loophole that extortionate airlines have exploited so that they can stick their hands deeper into your wallet, increasing their bottom line.
Increased fairs, smaller seats, less and less frills, and next to no accountability. Sounds like the perfect storm.
Shame on the father, and then for playing dumb on the while thing.
Hidden-city ticketing only gains when the airline is using its monopoly power to price a segment higher than the full trip. In this case, American had a monopoly on the Gainsville-Charlotte route but competed with other airlines for Gainesville - New York. So they price the GNV-CLT flight on the basis that their customers have low price elasticity of demand (that is, not too many of them use alternatives just because the price is high),...
Hidden-city ticketing only gains when the airline is using its monopoly power to price a segment higher than the full trip. In this case, American had a monopoly on the Gainsville-Charlotte route but competed with other airlines for Gainesville - New York. So they price the GNV-CLT flight on the basis that their customers have low price elasticity of demand (that is, not too many of them use alternatives just because the price is high), while pricing GNV-NYC competitively.
It's arguably legal to do that, as there is no agreement in restraint of trade; it's the airline competing with itself. But monopoly pricing is economically inefficient and societally disfavored. So a contract provision that says "If we offer to sell you 10 gallons of paint for the price of 5, you agree not to accept that offer unless you use all 10 gallons at once" is similar to monopolistic provisions that have themselves been held unenforceable by the FTC and/or courts. See https://doi.org/10.2307/1229069.
This story is silly. Does AA monopolize his town? Far be it for me to start to comprehend government airline regulations. Sadly, QR is unlikely offer a sixth freedom flight as an alternative. I guess that's why we subsidize Amtrak--as a fall back option due to the failure of the airline regulators to perfectly fine-tune every aspect of fllying.
"Does AA monopolize his town?"
Over 90% of available seats in and out of CLT are on AA, so...
Zero sympathy.
Father is a dishonest sleazebag, and the son probably is too. The apple does not fall far from the tree.
"Oh, I didn't know." Yeah, sure. Guy admits he has been doing this for 8 years (and no doubt has been ignoring a lot more rules, regulations and laws than this one for a lot longer than that -- and of course, has taught his kids to do the same). FAFO. Ban...
Zero sympathy.
Father is a dishonest sleazebag, and the son probably is too. The apple does not fall far from the tree.
"Oh, I didn't know." Yeah, sure. Guy admits he has been doing this for 8 years (and no doubt has been ignoring a lot more rules, regulations and laws than this one for a lot longer than that -- and of course, has taught his kids to do the same). FAFO. Ban the whole family for life.
This is yet another example of exactly what is wrong with American society (not American Airlines), and Why We Can't Have Nice Things. Because people suck, they're selfish pricks, they think rules and laws don't apply to them, and they don't give a shite about anything but themselves. Lawless, shameless, entitled behavior is all around us, it has become not only acceptable, it's expected and even celebrated. And it has ruined American society.
I respectfully disagree. If an airline chooses to publish fares that create such arbitrage situations, then it is upto consumers to decide whether they want to take advantage or not. We are a free market capitalist society where human beings have the agency to act in their own rational interest so long as they respect the laws and do not harm anyone else. Both of them are not applicable here- there is a reason why...
I respectfully disagree. If an airline chooses to publish fares that create such arbitrage situations, then it is upto consumers to decide whether they want to take advantage or not. We are a free market capitalist society where human beings have the agency to act in their own rational interest so long as they respect the laws and do not harm anyone else. Both of them are not applicable here- there is a reason why the courts have not declared skip lagging illegal and no one is harmed by skiplagging except perhaps the bonuses of American Airlines executives.
Sure he didn’t know. Lol. He’s probably reading OMAT and got caught
It an usury practice by AA having a shorter flight more expensive than the longer haul.
Do you know the definition of “usury”?
Agreed for the most part. The pricing makes little sense but happens all the time.
How can American Airlines even "detain" anyone over hidden city ticketing? It's not illegal, and AA can't just detain someone because they violated AA's contract of carriage (even if we gloss over the fact that AA isn't law enforcement).
Even for law enforcement, a lot of times you are not detained even if you're being questioned or interrogated
But to the officers' benefit, they won't tell you. The only hint would be your hearing Miranda rights.
I assume the station manager refused to issue a boarding pass for the fights as ticketed. The young man is free to leave, so is technically not detained; but he isn't getting home unless the station manager allows him.
Horseshit
Airline engaged in preatory pricing and got busted. End of story Suueee
“I’m a little bit confused about why the son even interacted with an American Airlines agent and had to show his ID? “
Listen to the news story again. There was a chance he was going to Mis connect in CLT so that’s why he was called over to the gate. Yeah it’s the fathers fault.
“This practice is not illegal “
Yes it is. It’s theft of service. Don’t take a news reporters word for it.
“It’s theft of service. Don’t take a news reporters word for it.”
No court would ever find it is theft of services. Skiplagging may violate the T&C’s but it is not theft of services. The FTC could possibly act unilaterally and say that such pricing is an illegal restraint of trade.
I assume the station manager refused to issue a boarding pass for the fights as ticketed. The young man is free to leave, so is technically not detained; but he isn't getting home unless the station manager allows him.
I truly wouldn't be surprised if the father didn't know this was illegal / frowned upon. Especially if you book a lot of tickets for your family, but are not at all in the travel space or reading blogs or anything like that (which is the vast majority of people), it would be fairly easy to figure out that you can get cheaper ticket with hidden city strategies, without ever realizing you could get in...
I truly wouldn't be surprised if the father didn't know this was illegal / frowned upon. Especially if you book a lot of tickets for your family, but are not at all in the travel space or reading blogs or anything like that (which is the vast majority of people), it would be fairly easy to figure out that you can get cheaper ticket with hidden city strategies, without ever realizing you could get in trouble for it. The logic of it makes no sense at all (the restaurant example by another commenter here is very much spot on). Airlines created this situation by tricking people into booking flights with connections for cheaper, so they can't be mad if people figured that out. If they don't want that to happen, then they should just price a ticket logically and according to the segments involved in the itinerary. I realize it probably isn't a viable solution from a revenue standpoint but it is what it is. If people purchase a ticket they should be able to do whatever they want with it - just like they would with literally any other good or service.
I respectfully disagree. It takes a little bit of savvy or reading to discover hidden city tickets, and that same savvy or reading would lead you to learn that it violates T&Cs. Nor is this the first time, or even the first year, that the father has been doing this. The father has no plausible deniability here.
It’s perfectly logical if you understand the basics of supply and demand. In this case, the supply side of Gainesville to New York is higher than the demand, so fares are lower. When you buy a ticket for GNV-JFK/LGA, you are not buying a ticket for GNV-CLT. The airline has no obligation to route you through CLT.
It sounds like we aren't being told the full story here.
My guess is because he has done this so many times, AA flagged the reservation as suspicious, and the check-in agent questioned the passenger based on the flagging when he went to check-in.
Watch the video again. There was a chance he was going to misconnect in CLT and miss his flight to New York. That’s why he was called to the gate. You’re right ; Ben did miss that part of the story.
Of course you aren't. Did someone tell you a story? Then you didn't hear the whole story. Especially if they broadcast the story online.
The father is a cheap b*stard who got his kid into this mess, but he should still consider filing suit against the airline for unlawful detention or false imprisonment of a minor. They have no legal right to "interrogate" a minor without a parent present, against his will. They also have no legal right to detain a passenger, of any age, on the ground.
Other than the word of a cheap bastard, there is no evidence that the child was detained or interrogated, nor does it make sense that penny pinching AA would have such facilities and personnel at a small regional airport. There is no bigger hater of AA than me, but even I must set aside my schadenfreude and admit that this accusation against AA sounds fishy.
If the airlines took my underage child to a private interrogation room I would be suing for 10’s of millions dollars. American Airlines has no right to do that. The employees who did that need to be held criminally responsible for false detainment, kidnapping, and many other charges.
Absolutely.
Never mind they weren't doing anything illegal.
Totally agree. Unlawful inprisonment ... and interrogating a minor withoul parents or legal countsel.
Let's not forget this was NOT an unlawful/illegal act. It was against the T&C only.
Show us on the doll where he touched you .
Gainesville is a small airport and a New Yorker would stick out like a sore thumb. Many frequent this airport that attend U of F.
Finally what is legal about stealing from a corporation ? Fare surfing or whatever you bros call it.
For damn sure
I have been in the Travel business for 30 years and I would NEVER book a hidden City ticket. Don't do it. I have seen many people left at Airports. Dad SHAME ON YOU!!! People need to read the fine print, only 12% read it and the others who don't start drama when they are bumped, etc. Also NEVER use a third party, just not worth the time if your flight is xld or delayed.
I wanted a 2XL sized shirt and noticed the same shirt in an XL size was on sale so I switched the stickers. Does that sound legal ? I just wanted to save money.
No stickers were switched. More like, he bought an outfit, shirt and pants, because it was cheaper than buying just the shirt. And the airline wants to enforce a contract that says that unless he wears both, he can't buy the outfit.
Is it "illegal"? I doubt it.
That is not this.
Consider a grocery store. You want one banana to go with your lunch. They have single bananas in shrink wrap for $2.00, or a bunch of bananas unwrapped still together as found in nature for $1.49/lb and the bunch was small and happened to be $1.75 total because it was a little more than a pound. In this case, it's not illegal to NOT buy the single banana and instead...
That is not this.
Consider a grocery store. You want one banana to go with your lunch. They have single bananas in shrink wrap for $2.00, or a bunch of bananas unwrapped still together as found in nature for $1.49/lb and the bunch was small and happened to be $1.75 total because it was a little more than a pound. In this case, it's not illegal to NOT buy the single banana and instead buy the cheaper bunch, eat one, and discard the rest of the bananas. The grocery store can't force you to eat all of the bananas or not buy them.
The airline sold a trip with two flights, Gainesville to CLT and CLT to NYC. Taking one and not using the other while paying for both is not illegal. Not even in the slightest. The airline made an offer of an itinerary with two flights on it for a price it set, and the customer took them up on it. It's not any different than buying a round-trip ticket and then your plans change and you never call to cancel. It's not illegal to buy it and use it.
A point I made on Gary's site is that the airline cannot have this both ways. It cannot logically say this was one journey while then on the other hand having processes and procedures that cause intentional reservation cancellations of onward segments in the case of "predicted" misconnects. If the airline can alter the journey and potentially force an overnight at a connecting point through its own volition, the passenger should be able to make modifications to the journey at a connecting point as well.
First and foremost, "interrogation" and terms of service aside, the child was a minor. Absolutely NO questioning should have been completed without one of the parents being contacted. Second, cancelling the ticket, effectively stranding the teenager in an unknown location should be grounds for endangerment at the very least. Whether or not hidden ticketing is against terms, it's not illegal; however, stranding the teenager may be. The terms and conditions should be questioned and American...
First and foremost, "interrogation" and terms of service aside, the child was a minor. Absolutely NO questioning should have been completed without one of the parents being contacted. Second, cancelling the ticket, effectively stranding the teenager in an unknown location should be grounds for endangerment at the very least. Whether or not hidden ticketing is against terms, it's not illegal; however, stranding the teenager may be. The terms and conditions should be questioned and American Airlines should be investigated.
The "child" was old enough that the parents allowed him to fly alone. He had a driver's license as well..could have been 18 or 19.
Any evidence of being detained, interrogated etc?
Another thing sounds strange.. the teen had to purchase a new AA ticket but was banned from flying the airline??
Love the "interrogates" used in the title and story. Gets the crowd good and riled up.
"Questioned" would draw the same knee jerk reaction
Ain't no AA ticket agent gonna go this far for American. Nothing about this is true.
Sorry but this is an entirely anti-consumerist action that cannot be justified under any pretext.
Granted that the father was stupid to have booked an unaccompanied minor on such an itinerary however AA has no right to interrogate anyone (least of all minor) who has opted to purchase a fare published by them.
If passengers are carrying hand baggage and choose to end their journey early, they should be allowed to do so....
Sorry but this is an entirely anti-consumerist action that cannot be justified under any pretext.
Granted that the father was stupid to have booked an unaccompanied minor on such an itinerary however AA has no right to interrogate anyone (least of all minor) who has opted to purchase a fare published by them.
If passengers are carrying hand baggage and choose to end their journey early, they should be allowed to do so. One can do that on trains and busses so why is this an issue with airlines?
Sorry but consumer rights advocates need to step in here and regulate this. I believe the teen can sue American Airlines on the following grounds-
-The skip lagging clause in their contract is unenforceable as it violates consumers rights.
-The aggressive actions of AA staff- interrogating a minor in a security room not only amount to intimidation and harassment but are a violation of a passenger’s privacy. A passenger’s final destination is his their own choice and this information can only be requested for security purposes which was clearly not the case this time.
-Banning the minor for future AA flights is discriminatory- given that the flyer has purchased a fair published by American Airlines and his actions in o way compromised the integrity of AA’a operations (no checked in baggage).
Personally I really don't think airlines should have the right to ban passengers/not carry them on this basis. Essentially saying "you must take all flights you buy" does not seem like a reasonable contract term to me. There doesn't exist any other industry where this exists. I buy something, I consume as much as I like. I doubt this would hold up under European consumer rights laws. Way less sure of the situation in the US but I would love to challenge it.
There are industries that do; time-shares often offer a package of a stay with a sales presentation for less than they charge for the stay alone. The airline case is different because the airline depends on monopoly power to impose the higher price.
It's especially egregious because airlines also overbook flights with the assumption that a certain percent of passengers won't show up. And they're happy to take people's money for that.
There's à possibility that the son, being an inexperienced traveler over packed and the father didn't think of not checking bags. One excuse to use is to check in a box and saying you need to drop some things off at Charlotte but that is a weird story that might call attention.
I'm betting this is a fake story generated by AA to discourage others from trying it. The facts are too "cute" to be real.
@ Omar -- So the father being interviewed on camera fits into this how, exactly? He's a paid actor acting working for American Airlines, or...?
There's an interesting cultural aspect here too.
In the UK (but not Germany), retail staff will typically point out a relevant promotion when you go to pay, even if it benefits the customer rather than the retailer.
E.g. buying-on-board a sandwich + drink: "if you add this chocolate bar it counts as a 'menu' so it will be 50 pence less".
Or from government "if you top-up your pension this way it...
There's an interesting cultural aspect here too.
In the UK (but not Germany), retail staff will typically point out a relevant promotion when you go to pay, even if it benefits the customer rather than the retailer.
E.g. buying-on-board a sandwich + drink: "if you add this chocolate bar it counts as a 'menu' so it will be 50 pence less".
Or from government "if you top-up your pension this way it will cost a fifth of the way you called to ask about"
So while an airline ticket sales desk agent would not suggest hidden city ticketing, I certainly wouldn't expect a check-in agent to challenge for it.
I guess UK culture effectively says such artificialities of contracts by the corporate seller/government provider are unfair, so society (even your own employees) will not enforce them.
They won't short-check bags - that's the customer trying to play unfairly, but if management set up a daft rule, don't be surprised that customers take advantage of it, and it's unfair to try to stop them.
Hence multiple websites like https://www.splitticketing.com/ (for trains, not 'planes)
Hidden city ticketing is not illegal and if challenged in court AA would be at fault here. Of course normal people do not have hundreds of thousands of dollars to take this to court so AA wins.
If you buy a banana do you have the right to eat only half of it? Of course you do. Or buy in bulk and only consume 2/3. Yes. Same is true for airline tickets. You can consume as much of or as little of what you purchased as you want.
Agreed.
There are some narrow exceptions - E.g. if the cost to the restaurant of disposing of what you left was material, or prevented them from some earning other income.
But here the airline suffers no loss from the customer's actions after they have bought the ticket.
What alternative tickets they might have bought (contracts entered into) is irrelevant - they might have chosen a competitor.
So what we have is cost...
Agreed.
There are some narrow exceptions - E.g. if the cost to the restaurant of disposing of what you left was material, or prevented them from some earning other income.
But here the airline suffers no loss from the customer's actions after they have bought the ticket.
What alternative tickets they might have bought (contracts entered into) is irrelevant - they might have chosen a competitor.
So what we have is cost barriers enabling house law rather than national law - reminiscent of mediaeval Germany.
Agree- completely. The airline faces no costs. They choose to publish lower fares for connecting flights to maximise their revenues. If they could have sold that seat to a point to point passenger at a higher price point, they would have.
And moroever where a passenger ultimately chooses to travel is their business- airlines can interrogate a passenger to demand this information without legitimate reasons (Eg security) and profiting from this information is not...
Agree- completely. The airline faces no costs. They choose to publish lower fares for connecting flights to maximise their revenues. If they could have sold that seat to a point to point passenger at a higher price point, they would have.
And moroever where a passenger ultimately chooses to travel is their business- airlines can interrogate a passenger to demand this information without legitimate reasons (Eg security) and profiting from this information is not one of them. The family should really sue American Airlines and make an example out of this.
It is 100% illegal moran!!!!
@Joanna - learn how to spell “moron” if you are going to call someone one.
Kind of missing the point. Hidden city ticketing might not be illegal, but it's also not illegal for AA to cancel his ticket for violating their T&C. So no, if challenged in court, AA wouldn't lose here.
Also, why does everyone keep comparing airline tickets to consumable goods that are owned outright by the purchaser? Don't get me wrong, I don't agree with the airlines' practices here, but it's not the same thing.
The part I don’t buy is how an NC driver license somehow implies one is not traveling to New York. That is downright baffling.
If an airline employee started questioning me about my personal life and my personal plans based on assumptions from my documents, I wouldn’t answer and would be absolutely furious. It’s none of their business what I am doing or where I live. I’ll likely just provide my global entry card from here on out to prevent prying questions.
Part of me thinks this author made this up and its a fabrication to scare people from this practice. It's not just the reason you state, but also that you only show ID to check bags and to DHS. DHS doesn't care if someone intends to take the second flight.
If the father has been doing this for years, there's a possibility that there's a flag on the family's account. Maybe he was asked to meet with an agent when he tried to check in at a kiosk.
The strange part of this to me is any "interrogation" by a corporation? That is how this is written and if the airline held him this is kidnapping. Even if they suspected this they had no right to interrogate any person.
Glad I never have reason to use American Airlines - sounds more like North Korea airlines.
1 - Father is in the wrong because it's against the contract of carriage, first and foremost, even though it's not illegal.
2 - The teen didn't need to go to the check-in counter unless he was checking a bag. If so, the father screwed up again in this situation. When asked if "traveling to New York today?" when the agent was tagging his bag and he said "no, I need my bag in Charlotte",...
1 - Father is in the wrong because it's against the contract of carriage, first and foremost, even though it's not illegal.
2 - The teen didn't need to go to the check-in counter unless he was checking a bag. If so, the father screwed up again in this situation. When asked if "traveling to New York today?" when the agent was tagging his bag and he said "no, I need my bag in Charlotte", well, that's screwup #2.
3 - If airlines don't like hidden city ticketing, then price accordingly. Airlines are causing this problem and can easily fix it through more fair fares (pun intended).
This is totally on the airline. Price your tickets as intended and stop trying to be law enforcement because of your own internal competition with fellow airlines. This is AA trying to be their own country and own rules. Literally North Korea.
Good for AA. They should ban the father was well, except it should be permanent.
If only the father had got son a passport and he had presented that!
Strange story - Why would someone who presumably wasn't checking in any bags, get their boarding pass at the airline check-in counter, instead of checking in online and heading straight to the departure gate?
AA ground staff should be prosecuted for taking a teenager as hostage for full price ticket!
Airline employees never have that authority, it’s really outrageous!!!
I can’t tell whether or not Ben here is an AApologist. The father shouldn’t have done this, but Ben acts as if the father was fully wrong and AA is almost justified in its behavior.
Not everyone is an AVGeek and certainly hidden city ticketing has its risks, but I’ve dealt with many an idiot AA employee. Most of them are too stressed anyway to flag things like this, so it must’ve been a slow day.
Dad should be banned. I call BS on dad claiming he didn't know he was violating the terms.
Agreed. And I call BS on the claims that AA kidnapped a child or has secret detention rooms and interrogators.
AA took aadvantage of this kid because he’s a teenager. Interrogation, security room, etc. Who demands a ‘confession’ from a minor for taking a flight? Bullies pick on the vulnerable. AA is being a bully here.
@ Bitterproffit -- In fairness, American has also confronted many adults about engaged in hidden city ticketing, so it's not like the airline just picks on teens...
So it is okay for an airline to kidnap teenagers? Okay. This is kidnapping regardless of the person's age. They have no constitutional rights to interrogate or hold someone against their will. They took advantage because they realized a teen is naive.
This is ridiculous and AA should be sued in court for harassment of a minor. This needs to stop!
In such a highly government regulated, not purely governed by the free market industry (or highly subsidized with lots of barriers to entry imposed and protected by the govt), it's ridiculous that airlines are even allowed to ban customers that did not break any law. Set your prices as you wish, and let people choose to do as they wish.
A desk agent gets suspicious about hidden city ticketing after seeing a drivers license from the connecting state? Is that a thing that really happens?
@ Never In Doubt -- Keep in mind we only have one side of the story. I have to wonder if there was something else that caused the agent to become suspicious. Could it be that during check-in the agent said "traveling to New York?" and the teen responded "no, just to Charlotte," or something?
That's more likely. I once walked a colleague but, to avoid slip of the tongue, it was stopover. The colleague was paying for the ticket himself and was happy to save a few hundred dollars.
This is obviously what happened with a naive teenager. Hidden ticket for this route has likely been an issue, and with a NC license and unlikely they would be traveling to NYC.
Although the agent should have asked who bought your ticket - and contacted parent later and not deny boarding.
Complete overreaction. They ban a teen for three years, and most likely he won't fly AA again as an adult because he's so mad. This means that over the next 20-30 years AA could potentially lose a couple hundred thousand in revenue.
Really smart AA.
The teen is fortunate to not fly AA for the next 3 years.
We need legislation against what AA is doing.
Imagine if you buy a fixed prix dinner and decide you no longer want dessert and the restaurant charges you extra and bans you because food is being wasted.
That's how idiotic this is
@ James S -- I don't disagree that airline pricing is unnecessarily complex, and airlines have created the monster of hidden city ticketing. However, in fairness, virtually all US airlines crack down on this practice.
What kind of legislation would you like to see introduced? That airlines can't cancel your ticket if you engage in hidden city ticketing? Should airlines be forced to short check bags for those with hidden city ticketing?
I don't have...
@ James S -- I don't disagree that airline pricing is unnecessarily complex, and airlines have created the monster of hidden city ticketing. However, in fairness, virtually all US airlines crack down on this practice.
What kind of legislation would you like to see introduced? That airlines can't cancel your ticket if you engage in hidden city ticketing? Should airlines be forced to short check bags for those with hidden city ticketing?
I don't have a strong opinion, just curious how you see that playing out...
The only legislative aspect is making it an Unfair Contract Term to be penalised for not using everything you have bought.
Inability to victimise then follows.
No requirement for short-checking bags - the airlines play a game; consumers should merely be allowed to play back evenly.
It's really very simple. Nothing really needs to change on the consumer side. It's simple the airlines need a reminder that standard consumer expectations on consumption of a purchase should continue on over to flight tickets. As I'm sure they actually do if this was ever challenged in a court. You buy, it's up to you what you use. You don't get charged for leaving a movie half way through. You don't get charged more...
It's really very simple. Nothing really needs to change on the consumer side. It's simple the airlines need a reminder that standard consumer expectations on consumption of a purchase should continue on over to flight tickets. As I'm sure they actually do if this was ever challenged in a court. You buy, it's up to you what you use. You don't get charged for leaving a movie half way through. You don't get charged more for not finishing all components of a happy meal. There is no reasonable expectation that I must fly all segments of a ticket I book.
"Imagine if you buy a fixed prix dinner and decide you no longer want dessert and the restaurant charges you extra and bans you because food is being wasted."
Sounds like carbon tax.
"The father says he has been using hidden city ticketing for all the family’s travels for the past five to eight years, but didn’t realize it violated airline rules? Did he ever once Google it? Did he ever read Skiplagged’s guide to hidden city ticketing, and how it’s something airlines frown down upon?"
I had to read this twice because I thought it was satire at first. Why would he Google this to see if...
"The father says he has been using hidden city ticketing for all the family’s travels for the past five to eight years, but didn’t realize it violated airline rules? Did he ever once Google it? Did he ever read Skiplagged’s guide to hidden city ticketing, and how it’s something airlines frown down upon?"
I had to read this twice because I thought it was satire at first. Why would he Google this to see if it violated airline rules? I don't doubt that if you asked average, non-aviation geeks about this they wouldn't think twice about doing this if it was an option. Most of your readers know this because we are way more interested in travel and its intricacies than normal people, but I wouldn't be surprised if this guy was telling the truth and he thought there was nothing wrong with this. Especially because he said he's been doing it for 8 years and presumably nothing like this happened to him in the past, so why would he have reason to question it? I've never seen this rule prominently displayed anywhere on booking pages, and let's be real almost nobody reads T&Cs.
Does that mean in this particular case he's not lying? No, of course not. But I also don't think it's a preposterous idea to think that regular people think that this is a totally fine practice.
I think I took this a completly different way. My assumption is the father was very much aware of what he was doing and knew it was frowned upon, but played dumb to the interview to save face and seem like the good guy.
About time to bring back the death penalty.
Ben Schlapping should be banned for being an AA apologist, this nonsense pricing should also be banned, it aggravates common sense people and now they want to punish us for saving money. Reinstate this kid, compensate him,and apologize
"now they want to punish us for saving money"
If your idea of saving money is willfully violating the terms of a contract and playing the victim card when caught, I am grateful that I do not do business with you.
The father is the one that needs to be banned.