Mishelene Tee had a tough time getting to Yellowknife last week. - Kathleen Lippa/NNSL photo

Mishelene Tee, who was travelling by air for the first time in her life, accidentally left her First Air ticket on a plane during her travels through St. John's, Nfld. to Toronto and then to Edmonton on Jan. 15.

First Air staff in Edmonton would not allow her to check in for her flight to Yellowknife, even though Mishelene had photo identification.

First Air says they make it clear to passengers that they must have a ticket to fly.

Electronic ticketing, common with many airlines, is not part of their system.

"A ticket is like cash," said Tracy Beeman, director of marketing for First Air, based in Ottawa. "The ticket they lost has the potential to be cashed in."

The Tees say the policy is not clear enough.

CanJet staff in Toronto tried to calm Mishelene by telling her with her photo identification she'd be fine.

Even First Air staff in Edmonton seemed confused, Mishelene said, about how to sort the ticket problem out.

"I was shoved off to different people, back and forth," she said.

Mishelene flew to Yellowknife later in the day.

The family doesn't see how anyone else could have cashed in Mishelene's ticket in this age of hyper-sensitive airline security and regular photo identification checks.

"Your name is on the ticket," Henry said. "And they always ask to see your photo i.d."

Mishelene's parents shudder to think what could've happened to their daughter if she didn't have anyone to call and help her buy a new ticket.

The Tees, who have relocated to Yellowknife from Newfoundland, want a speedy refund and an apology from the airline.

"It sure leaves a bad impression," Mishelene said.

But the $320 Henry had to pay to get his daughter to Yellowknife will take 90 days to be refunded. And there is a $100 application fee they will never get back.

When asked what First Air does to soothe upset and dissatisfied customers like the Tee family, Beeman said, "I'm not sure of the specific situation you're talking about. I don't have any details on that case.

"I just know that if somebody loses a ticket the policy is that they do have to purchase a new one."

First Air has been flying in the North for 56 years.