AIBU to ask if anyone is flying to Johannesburg from London in the next few hours?

[japanesegarden]

Really hoping for a Good Samaritan from the wonderful forces of Mumsnet! My 23 year old daughter, who should know better, left the UK 2 days ago and flew to Kenya. She has just flown on to Johannesburg and been refused entry because she hasn't got proof of yellow fever vaccination, although she has been vaccinated. We are currently driving to the GP to collect a duplicate, but it needs to get to Johannesburg within 24 hours or they will deport her back to Nairobi. I just wondered if anyone was flying out there in the next few hours and would be kind enough to take it? We live near London and could easily get it to any airport. We don't think we can use a commercial courier as we don't think they would get it there in time. Or if anyone else had any ideas, we'd be very grateful! Thank you so much!

Yes, I’d go to check in desk of airline your DD flew with. If I were traveling alone I’d do this for you, but not sure my DH would. I’d also make you go to my check in desk with me, to answer the “have you packed your bags yourself” question.

Good luck. Hope your DD learns a lesson about solo traveling!

What do you think the check in person would do when you say "no, this woman gave me something to carry but she's not going on the flight"

Oh dear, sorry to hear that OP.

Strange, cos I've had to show evidence of Yellow Fever vaccination at many airports.

As a frequent solo traveller I always automatically have my "yellow book" with all the vaccination stamps along with my passport as standard.

Checking vaccinations is up there with checking the visa situation.

With things like Zika and Ebola swirling around the world it really pays to do your homework.

Sorry your daughter has to learn this the hard way OP

Incidentally, Kenya and South Africa are two of my favourite countries....

I'd definitely do it for you. 🤷🏽‍♀️ worth a try.

Thanks very much to all for suggestions. Update is that Air Kenya is repatriating her to the UK at their expense, because they should have checked her documentation before letting her board the plane to SA. Can't say it's been an easy evening, but at least I can go to sleep now!

Oh dear, what a palarva. Hope you get some sleep and that your daughter is ok.

Well, what a palaver. And it’s not really the airline’s responsibility to ensure people have the correct documentation re jabs. Visas yes, but not vaccinations. They must have done this as a gesture of goodwill. The onus is on the traveller. She’s been very remiss. That said, when this happened to someone I know, he just got another jab

at the airport. Paid $50 US. This was this year so current.

What a pavlova!

Too late now, but I would have called the airline direct AT THE AIRPORT. For SAA, you would ring the reservations office or Hewthrow and ask for the direct line number to speak to the Station Manager. Or try ringing Heathrow Airport and get their number. Explain the situation to him - he can send documents via cabin crew.
If the Station Manager is not available, (highly likely) ask to speak to his deputy as he will be overseeing the departures.

The trouble was that with intermittent contact, her hysterical, and constantly changing plans it was very difficult to do anything at this end, because we didn't have a clear enough picture of what was going on. We couldn't contact the airline till we knew which country she'd be in by the time the documents reached Africa, and by then she was already committed to coming back to the U.K.
I'm well aware it was her responsibility. I didn't check myself, because she's 23. Parenting adult children is really, really hard sometimes. You still have to try to help, but you can't make decisions for them or interfere with their lives, so you end up picking up the pieces without even being able to make the choice about how to do that. Thanks very much to all those with constructive suggestions. I'll leave this thread now, because I'm too fragile for AIBU after a horrible evening and a crappy night's sleep.

"Picking up the pieces without being able to make a choice about how to do that"

Yes! You did well, did your best and tried everything. Plus you were there for her to call and supporting her! That's the best thing. It was an accidental mistake on her part and could happen to anyone. She is safe, all that matters.

It'll be a story you laugh over one day.

Possibly if she ever has a child worrying the life out of her as is normal no matter what, you can sit back and say "Well well well... what about the time..." with a relaxed smile.

We all have to learn the consequences of our actions bad of good!
Well done for trying to help.
Growing up is hard work!! And as you say parenting an adult is even harder.
I hope she makes it back there. As my mother would always say. Check and double check. I hated her at the time but she was right

She’s 23! Bloody hell.

She's 23, give her a break!

Every experienced traveller has stories of mishaps.

Yeah, but most ride the storm and aren’t hysterical to their mom or come home after two days. Wow.

Bit harsh Candyflip.

But 23....?

I needed something quickly when I was in London a few years ago (in order to fly back to U.S) and my son overnighted it with FedEx.

She was repatriated, she didn’t choose to turn around.

She was detained in Johannesburg, reasonable to freak out.

She called home for help, that’s the smart thing to do.

Things like this happen

@canyflip don't be such a dick.

Everyone makes mistakes. 23 you're still learning. I'm 39 I'm still learning. To travel to Africa at 23 is braver than I would have been. But I'm a pretty successful and sensible human being in general.

She forgot 1 but if paperwork. And frankly being hysterical in a strang country detention centre might be a fairly normal reaction, but a life lesson and experience.

I believe in fate. Maybe she wasn't meant to be there OP

Being hysterical is a normal reaction? Being frustrated, annoyed, worried, maybe. But hysterical? Nah. Maybe that’s why she was only away for two days.

Aww cat 😘