Unaccompanied Minor Fees? Not So Minor.

Q. I have 3 children ages 8, 9, and 10 who need to get to Chicago from Las Vegas, traveling alone. They are going to see their grandfather for possibly the last time. I have contacted several agencies and they say they don't handle this type of reservation. I have contacted the airlines directly and found out there is a $99 dollar "escort fee" each way. My problem is that I can't get a decent lower fee on another airline. Can you possibly help me with that?

A. From the looks of things, you contacted United Airlines, which does indeed charge $99 each way (recently reduced from $150!; American, Continental, Delta, and US Air charge $100 each way). If you were only sending one child, you'd be much better off sending him or her from Chicago Midway on Southwest, which only charges $25 per child each way. However, United's $99 fee (each way) covers two or more children traveling on the same flight. You'll still save money paying $75 ($25 times three) each way on Southwest, but only if Southwest's fare is lower than United's. Airfarewatchdog wonders if it really costs United and other airlines with high unaccompanied minor fees $200 round-trip, in actual expenses, to provide this service; or is this just yet another profit center for the airlines?