Complications experienced by a mother in transporting her unaccompanied ten-year-old American daughter from Florida have led Bahamasair to post vital policy information online. Though seemingly basic, the absence of information in the public domain related to unaccompanied minors on the airline recently cost Texas resident Elaine Morley nearly $300 in added expenses. "My daughter came from Houston to Ft. Lauderdale and she was supposed to come and meet me in Long Island," she told Guardian Business yesterday.  "My nephew took her to the airport in Fort Lauderdale to board the flight.  He was told that they couldn't do that because he wasn't a parent and he had to fill out a form and show ID and... when he was trying to get more information... one manager told him to get off the line or they would have him arrested. "He was told that all he needed was his ID by one manager and another one told him he had to have a notarized letter.  I was in Long Island and trying to call and get information." She, however, was unable to obtain any information, given this vital policy was not posted anywhere accessible to the public.  Lengthy calls to Bahamasair agents and customer service representatives also provided her with various answers and at the end of the day, hundreds of dollars in long distance and accommodation fees for her daughter. While fully willing to comply with regulations, Morley finds it difficult to understand how the company's policy on unaccompanied minors could have gone so long without being published or fully communicated. "Bahamasair was saying it's not our responsibility to educate our customers and they don't provide the information like other airlines do," she added.  "I think Bahamasair needs an internal system so that they acquire information as to what is [Transportation Security Administration] policy and transcend it down to agents, so that customers can get it." Her comments come as airlines gear up for the peak summer travel season.  It's likely a time when many unaccompanied minors will be winging their way to their summer vacation spots.  Having this information easily accessible may facilitate travel for worried parents, giving them confidence in the airline and, by extension, contributing to increasing revenue for the company. Deputy General Manager Van Diah confirmed Morley's case to Guardian Business on Tuesday and said some changes had been made immediately. "The airline does admit that posting this policy online would be helpful to the inquiring parent and as a result the policy will be posted online tomorrow [Wednesday]," he said.  "Today [Tuesday], the policy disclosure has been limited to all sales points globally and at the airline's respective airports and reservations channels. The policy, procedures and respective fee disclosure via our website will result in a more informative approach to the passenger." Guardian Business noted yesterday that true to his word, Bahamasair's website was updated to include the unaccompanied minor information. He noted that the situation with Morley was not a training issue and that all agents, supervisors and front line managers are aware of the policy. "The policy is reviewed and discussed at each quarterly front line customer training session and incorporated into our orientation process for new employees," Diah added.  "The acceptance of unaccompanied minors is a daily routine function at all of our Florida offices."

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