Mom says United didn't know flight with kids was experiencing problems

HOUSTON (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) — A United Airlines jet bound for Boston had engine trouble and safely returned to Houston.

A United spokesman says Flight 1124 carried 146 passengers and a crew of six when it took off Sunday from George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The Boeing 737 had mechanical problem with an engine and returned to Houston.

Spokesman Joe Micucci said Monday that United is conducting a thorough review to determine what caused the engine issue.

Passengers were put on another plane Sunday afternoon and continued on to Boston.

However, a mother who had two children traveling alone on the flight is not satisfied with the answers, or lack thereof, that she received when she called to inquire about the plane's failed engine.

Mairi Elliot sent her 12-and 9-year-old children, Colin and Griffin, to visit their father in Texas for the summer.  They were on United Flight 1124 bound for Boston on Sunday when the pilot came over the sound system and made the announcement that the flight was turning around.

Colin took out his cell phone and texted his mother that the plane's engine had malfunctioned and they were heading back to Houston.

Mairi Elliot immediately called the airline, but to her surprise they did not have any information.  The customer service representative told her the plane was fine and that it appeared to be en route to Boston.

Colin and his younger brother Griffin were flying as "unattended minors." Airlines charge an extra fee for flight attendants to watch children who are flying alone, but Mairi says she spent the next hour and a half arguing with the customer service representative and got nowhere.

Mairi Elliot told FOX 25 that they only way she got any kind of answers were through her son's texts which is why she was later angry to find out that after her sons landed safely, they were reprimanded by United staff and the pilot for texting while in the air.

The boys were reportedly told they were in trouble for breaking federal regulations by using a cell phone during a flight. They were also told that they might not ever be able to fly again.

Mairi Elliot wants an apology from United, but has yet to hear back.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group