A mother was unfairly treated in Turkey when her son traveled with an expired passport.

Amber's holiday of a lifetime turned into a nightmare when she made a mistake that cost her family £6,000. The mother of one was excited to take her family on a week-long trip to Turkey, but little did she know that a simple oversight would lead to a 24-hour ordeal that left them stranded and out of pocket.

The journey started off smoothly as the family flew from London Gatwick to Antalya, Turkey on August 5. However, upon arrival, they were met with shocking news - Amber's six-year-old son Reuben's passport was nearly four months expired. This meant that they were not allowed to enter the country and were detained by Turkish authorities in a room with 13 other people.

Amber describes the experience as terrifying, with their passports being snatched away and barely any food or water being provided. They were given only a rotten tomato and an egg that was kicked at them, leaving them hungry and thirsty. Amber's fiancé, Will, tried to obtain a temporary travel document from the Turkish embassy, but even that was not a guarantee for entry.

As a result of this mistake, the family had to cut their holiday short and fly back home the very next day. Little Reuben was heartbroken as he had to return home without getting to enjoy his holiday. Amber shared a photo of him looking out of the plane window with a caption urging other parents to double-check their children's passports.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Amber takes full responsibility for her oversight but also expresses disappointment in the way they were treated by airport authorities. She felt vulnerable and scared, especially for her son's well-being. The fact that they were allowed to board their flight without anyone noticing the expired passport makes her question the effectiveness of airport security.

Amber also highlights the financial impact of this mistake, as they had to book new flights and were left £6,000 out of pocket. She vows to be extra careful in the future and advises others to do the same. On the UK Government and Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs' websites, it is stated that passports should be valid for at least 150 days from the date of arrival in Turkey. However, Gatwick airport stated that it is the airline's responsibility to check passports and that they have no involvement in the process.

In conclusion, Amber's mistake cost her family a lot of money and a ruined holiday. She hopes that by sharing her story, other parents will be more cautious and avoid a similar situation. As for the airport authorities, Amber believes there is room for improvement in their processes to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers.

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