^^That was one of the things I stressed with my kids when they started flying alone. ASK! If you don’t understand something, ASK! If the gate looks strange, like a plane is not boarding when you think it should, ASK! Don’t just sit there.
My kids started flying by themselves when they were freshmen in high school. At first, I only let them fly non stop and I walked them to the gate. I did make them lead the way, figuring out the gate, the TSA, the check in. After 2-3 flights, they were dropped at the curb and were on their own. They then started changing planes, but I tried to have them switch in cities where I knew someone who could rescue them if something went wrong.
I did get a call/text once when my daughter was in route saying the connecting flight was delayed for 3 hours and she was trying to get to a graduation. I got on the phone with SW, they weren’t able to actually book a different flight for her, but the woman put a hold on a seat for me. When my daughter landed, I was able to tell her exactly which gate to go to, and they got her (but not her luggage) moving again to Santa Ana, not LAX; Santa Ana was a lot closer to where she wanted to be anyway and her boyfriend’s father wouldn’t have to pick her up at LAX at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon! They even moved her luggage to SNA later in the day. That is one thing I learned from my father - keep moving in the direction you are headed. Traveling from Chicago to LA? Take the flight to Denver if that’s all that’s offered. Or Seattle, or Phoenix. Think about other airports in the area, other options. Abandon your luggage! Keep moving. Ask for free food, free lodging, Look pitiful.