If you need assistance contact your airline in advance and they’ll arrange for a wheelchair. There’s officially no cost for the service although in most U.S. airports the people pushing make much of their money on tips. It’s never clear the right amount to tip. Some feel $5 is appropriate, others tip $20. There’s no medical verification needed to request this. And some people ask for the service who don’t, strictly speak, ‘need it’.
When a flight has numerous passengers with wheelchair assistance on boarding, and then most of those passengers get off themselves and walk out of the terminal – walking right past the waiting wheelchairs on the jet bridge – it’s known as a “miracle flight.” Here’s one recent Southwest Airlines flight where 20 passengers used wheelchairs to board, and only 3 used them to get off. 17 passengers experienced an inflight miracle.
Pre-boarding scam at @SouthwestAir 20 passengers boarding using a wheelchair and probably only 3 need one to deplane. pic.twitter.com/3WyKuSWdtt
— Paul (@trendready) June 24, 2023
Let’s be clear: there are certainly cases where someone might need assistance on boarding and not deplaning. But that’s also highly unlikely to be the case for 17 passengers (85% of those needing wheelchair assistance) here.
In addition to the medicinal benefits of flying that cures these passengers, explanations may include a desire for:
- Better seating which is unique to Southwest. You’re going to get a better deal tipping a wheelchair attendant than buying Early Bird Check-in in order to get a better seat.
@SouthwestAir. The wheelchair scam continues this morning. How do a family of 'C' boarding Pre-board? Get grandma to sit in a wheelchair. Now the whole family (5) gets to accompany her. pic.twitter.com/JORUPaXdMr
— Paul (@trendready) June 25, 2023
- Access to overhead bin space. If you’ve got a late boarding group there may not be overhead bin space. But board with a wheelchair and you go on early, bin space is yours.
- Free carry on with a basic economy fare on United. If you need priority boarding assistance you aren’t in the last boarding group, and the full-sized carry on ban on the cheapest tickets is enforced by boarding group.
- Priority check-in and security. But if you’re savvy enough to ask for a wheelchair you are savvy enough to get PreCheck and check-in online and do bag drop.
Since the biggest benefit – seat selection, in addition to airport priority – comes when flying Southwest, it’s little surprise this is noted most in social media with Southwest flights.
A friend shares a not-uncommon sight from Puerto Rico:
55 "handicapped" during pre-boarding, including 25 wheel chairs
On his return flight, 15 used wheelchairs to board, only 1 to deboard pic.twitter.com/gHgIsnzsq7
— Bachman (@ElonBachman) February 19, 2023
Another flight on @SouthwestAir, and I’m happy to report being witness to more miracles. These poor souls came seeking a flight, and instead were healed. 🙌🏻🙌🏻
Always grateful for witnessing the miraculous healing power of flight. pic.twitter.com/7TCYn2T6BB
— Dave Ruminates (@dave_ruminates) April 5, 2023
The reason this concerns me is that people asking for wheelchair assistance who do not need it prevents or delays people who do need assistance from getting it. If everyone at the gate showed up needing early boarding it would defeat the purpose of early boarding (‘if everyone gets early boarding then no one does’).
Everyone with wheelchairs should enter last and exit last. The phonies will stop gaming the system
Wheelchairs should have NO PRIORITY at customs or immigration. Get off plane. Get on line
Allowing people to skip the line incentivizes behavior
People suck. This is another reason why I quit flying 10 years ago.
I understand your reason for writing this Gary but unfortunately I find that it just encourages more discrimination towards people with legit disabilities.
I have been in a wheelchair for over 18 years – Full time and only in the last six years have been able to walk … Literally a miracle!
I still have balance issues and I fall for quintly and I cannot stand for long.s of time because it causes extreme swelling and excruciating pan..
I need a wheelchair if i’m going to be shopping at a walmart even.
I rely on being able to use wheelchair assistance at the airport.
It’s no picnic. 99% of the time I am dropped off at the gate and left with 0 assistance to go to the bathroom or possibly get water or food!
Having my boyfriend or daughter with me helps tremendously. But that also means that they are a personal assistant flying with me.
It doesn’t matter what airline I fly – I always Request help and assistance through the disability compliance department before I fly.
One way to eliminate or reduce this problem is to require those of us that require a wheelchair to bring our own.
I see people’s Comments on here and it hurts my heart. because these are the same people that actually say it to my face while at the airport!
These people have no idea what it’s like to live with physical limitations that require the use of a wheelchair..
Yes … there are people that abuse this service But there are ways to reduce the abuse without discriminating against those of us that need it.
More than 80% of the time I have to wait until the whole flight has deboarded to be able to get off.
This means that I have to get flights with longer connection times causing me to have to sit longer and endure more pain.
I hardly find this an advantage!!
People are very rude though. And do not allow persons with disabilities to get off sooner… and very rarely are the wheelchairs out there when the plane arrives!
The hate in the comments definitely bothers me more than the original issue. Because it is blatant discrimination towards persons with disabilities.
I experienced this on a daily basis though whether it be having to wait long periods of time for a handicap accessible bathroom or rude comments while using am electric wheelchair or using a wheelchair at the airport.
I think people should have to live a day in my life before they get to comment and be rude and discriminatory!
There’s a difference between needing assistance for the long schlep through the airport, and needing early boarding. The issue is people who say they need early boarding for a disability, but then can walk off the plane just fine. Don’t mix these up.
@Mets Fan in NC
Of course, we just can’t say it.
When I am behind someone from an African country forget about it. There is always an issue. It’s weird I saw one that had patches from all these countries they have been too but when they got to the counter it was like they were traveling for the first time.
Wheelchair passengers should board first and deplane last. No exceptions. No quick connections. Must be a airline member. Walk off before wheelchair assistance and get flagged on your airline account. No more early boarding if flagged.
It used to be the only flights you would see this was in Hawaii and the Philippines. I guess now this “disease” has spread to other places.
This is disgusting. I’ve taken my mom, who requires wheelchair assistance, wait so long because I’ve seen people run to the wheelchair to get priority seating and assistance then walk away on the other side of tsa. NOW I load my mom in the wheelchair and go through wheelchair lane and tsa myself. Twice, due to this nasty ass behavior, she almost missed her flight. They are disgusting!!!!!!
And you’re assuming they need the wheelchair for boarding. My MIL boarded (with a bit of assistance) perfectly well. Navigate the check-in and security lines–too much time on her feet, nope. Walk through the metal detector **unassisted**, nope. Trust that she could get to the gate **in time**, nope.
We always waited until the end to get off because blocking the aisle was inevitable. Likewise, people like her board early because it’s easier when the plane isn’t full of bustle.
Those of us who legitimately need this assistance are being criticized along with the frauds. Not fair at all.
Just a few days ago I was flying with my ex-husband who has end stage colorectal cancer. I am physically disabled due to spine and leg damage but I would rather pretend there is nothing wrong with me and care for him. Unfortunately these kinds of people *give permission* to those who think anyone or anything that inconveniences them should be kicked to the back.
My ex and I had gotten through with security at Hartsfield and he had been doing good but when I got him in a seat to wait for us to be called he started shaking and sweating. He was getting weak. This was like my 3rd time flying since 99 so when he told me to go ask about preboarding I must have sounded like a bit of a moron. What I didn’t expect, is after the nice desk lady said “sure” I would turn around to a grown ass man whisper fussing, “liar, you don’t have cancer!” (He must have misheard me.)
I ignored him and went back to help the ex onto the plane and this rude guy looked at me with a lemon face and I got to say “go ahead and say something…” as a 6’1 pale, bald, sweating, painfully thin guy clung to me (5’7 and 130 lbs) for all he was worth.
Do I think fakers should face some sort of punishment for abusing the system? Yes. Do I think it is up to Airport Batman to dish out justice? Nope.
One time I got to witness the healing miracle of southwest airlines firsthand. It almost brought a tear to my eye, seeing seeing people who only a few hours before couldn’t even walk down a jetbridge be able to pull a roller bag from the overhead bin and speedwalk to their next connection.
My wife, who suffered a spinal injury, does require a wheelchair in the airport (yes, before and after the flight). We almost always use our own, which we check at the bottom of the ramp. So being able to board first makes it easier to get her out of the chair, fold the chair and have time to get the chair put down below and my wife to her seat. And we generally exit just about last to give them time to get it up and to not be in the way while getting her back into it.
My suggestion: For pre-boarding require that one bring their own wheelchair OR have a handicap certification (such as a handicapped parking pass) otherwise they can board in normal order.
Just like the ones using service dog as an excuse. Giving actual people in need a bad rap. If they don’t need the assistance getting off the planes, they should be charged for the service and early boarding.
I use a wheelchair at the airport, I get on early ( to front seat., I need the extra leg room) but I am the last to get off, using the wheelchair again . I can not walk a mile in the airports to get to the plane. I am also a senior citizen.
I’m struggling to understand why they need to put on a show to preboard. I’ve been using pre-board for years (balance issues) with and without a cane. I’ve never been challenged at the gate when I felt I needed to use preboard to have more time to get onboard.
I was injured on an island in a moped accident. The ‘hospital’ was dirty and had flies all over. I wanted out if that country A.A. wouldn’t let me fly for 72 hrs. w/o a Dr’s. note. The ‘hotels’ Doctor/bartender/pool guy,wrote it out. I got to the airport a guy saw me and told me in broken English for $100 he would put me on the plane in 10 min. 10 min later he helped me out the wheelchair, and boarded me. I bypassed check in,security, and at the gate agent from AA clearly knew this guy read my note snd waved me on. Everyone on that flight saw the whole process and were LIVID,as they took upto 2 hrs to navigate thru. Guy in back of me with a 5 year old in tow was encouraging his kid to continually kick the back of my seat,inheard him telling him,oh he’s ok. He was lying that he’s hurt to special treatment. This is why you shouldn’t lie he said to the boy. Road rash visible, cracked ribs, clavicle fracture ect. Ambo waiting on tarmac at BOS and then hole plane STILL claimed I didn’t need the wheelchair service. Some people suck
They need to post that behavior like this is unacceptable. And if it occurs they will be fined or banned.
Are you kidding? Of course — we call them the “Miracle Flights” because once they reach their destination, they have been cured and can now walk off.
As long as the wheelchair-bound folks and their partners get to board first in the front / best seats, this will continue.
Give up all hope ye who travel by air this Summer. It’s bad & will only get worse. SWA under Herb was a delight. Now, not so much. And it’s even worse on the Big 3.
If you think Mayor Pete will fix this, I have a bridge for sale. Real cheap.
And given the FAA & Flight Controllers debacle things are just going from bad to worst (Yes I know it’s worse)
6 hours or less used to be the driving choice.
Now it’s 14-15 hours. And an Asian or Mid-East Carrier for going across an Ocean.
Where are the class action Attorneys when we need them? There’s big money to be made here Barristers!
People who truly need a wheelchair will have their own. So only give priority to people who brought their own wheelchair or walker. Problem solved!
I find it truly interesting how these corporations can make ALL of us regress and behave childish and irrationally. From the people abusing wheelchairs systems, to the people who post on social media accusing those of getting ahead of them and complaining. At the end of the day we fly southwest because of three things: price, schedules, and limited competition to get to our destination. We are all just trying to get from point A to point B.
Southwest is such a no frills airline that allows free bags. Everyone’s has this anxiety that if they get on sooner or get off sooner they will get somewhere faster… we are all literally on this boat(plane) together. We are going to get there when we are going to get there.
And if Southwest really wants to “appease” some of these “platinum”
or entitled customers in group A 1-15 or people that pay to board first (since that is a paid upgrade) Southwest should honor and let those people board first before anyone else. Including anyone in wheelchair or preboard.
But, as I said… we are all going to the same destination. 🙂
I am disabled with a brain injury, basically a permanent concussion. The hardest part about flying for me is the announcements, security line and pedestrian traffic. Standing for long periods (over a minute) can make me dizzy and feel faint.
Almost all if these are inbound issues coming to get on a flight along with producing tickets and ID upon command, getting searched or scanned, sitting in high traffic areas. It’s very stressful and triggering. Arriving is MUCH easier with NONE, or few, of those triggers.
I still use a chair upon arrival as the flight itself is rough for me. The noise, confinement and stress induces headaches and anxiety but I could understand while many may not.
Granted this is one example and I agree there is an abuse of the system but not all flights are “miricles” just not all of us need help leaving an airport, the easiest part of the journey. Just sayin’
I’m in my late 60s. I’ve had a knee replacement and need another one. Walking long distances hurts. My balance sucks from menier’s disease. I’ve had several falls. Sometimes by the time I reach the gate, I’m dizzy and in pain so I ask to board early. I don’t need a wheelchair but boarding early ensures my safety. I’m grateful SW allows me to do so when I’m forced to fly with them, which I try to avoid.
If they would just assign seats this “problem” would disappear. What a stupid way to run an airline!
A $40 or $50 charge for special handling will end this quick.
I’m full time wheelchair confined. Here’s the “TEST”. Look at the “disabled” people, and 99% of them will be using AIRPORT WHEELCHAIRS, not their own. Meaning, they were able to get ready to fly, get to the airport, and suddenly became disabled.
I have to use an Isle Chair to be taken on the airplane to my seat . . . I’m the only one. All of the other “disabled” can walk to the back of the plane, walk to the restroom, and most importantly WALK off the plane, to baggage and to the garage.
Another example, Costco. Dear Costco has a lot of Handicap Spaces. Just watch . . . Not a single person uses a mobility device – wheelchair. HOWEVER, (and don’t use the excuse of “invisible disabilities on me here”) they can walk walk walk through a 100,000 sq ft Costco and back to their car without difficulty. Substitute a grocery store, shopping mall. Sports complex, ALL THE SAME.
Shame, shame, shame . . . Bad karma, disrespectful to the truly disabled and elderly informed. STOP making excuses, IT’S WRONG!
It’s Southwest. What do you expect?
@dan…I don’t fly SW, refuse to. But your comment about “entitlement” doesn’t fly. People like me spend tens of thousands of dollars each year, if not more, flying these airlines. And we’re rewarded with loyalty. It’s our butts in the seats, it’s us putting up with delays, cancellations, that affect our lives. I fly 80% of the year, on AA and I actually get treated with dignity because I do. I’m sorry if your one or two flights a year suck, but we’re not entitled, we earned it.
ATTENTION WHEELCHAIR SCAMMERS: Be careful what you wish for- it may come true!
I’ve flown with a person with mobility problems who often got wheelchair service. I helped her with her baggage. She could walk relatively short distances without a wheelchair but longer distances (Which almost all airports have) would wear her out. Further, getting seated was not always so easy. I hope that those who are jealous can experience such circumstances in life and can hopefully learn from them. As for those who cheat, karma will always bite sometime in the future.
I’m partially paralyzed in the right foot I fall often. Walking long distances in airports is dangerous for me. I used to never fly Southwest when I didn’t use the wheelchair because of their crazy boarding BS when I started using the wheelchair I started flying Southwest airlines again. If the airport is small where I land I can get up and walk off. And I do so , only if my distance is short. You sure Southwest will never stop their BS loading people are tired of it
Best way to fix this ? You want a wheelchair, show your Handicapped parking placard or id number.
@Mashley … All airlines have this issue. It’s an issue of able bodied persons without a conscience, abusing accommodations for persons with disabilities..
@mashley yeah it’s totally possible. I fly first and business class so I don’t encounter these issues. We have assigned carry on compartments. And The 1-2 times a year I fly… I usually wait til about 15 minutes before doors close to board while I wait at the airline lounge or the priority pass lounge (if there is one available). So maybe that’s why I haven’t experienced any of this. Lucky me.. 😉
These faker deplorables make it bad for those who are in genuine need of wheelchair assistance. Generally those disembarking are asked to remain seated until the throng has gotten off, so there is no advantage to be had at that point.
It is obvious that this practice is prevalent at SW due to their free-for-all scramble for the best seats. Get rid of that and problem largely solved.
Someone commented that a $40 to $50 handling fee would end this abuse. That would be against international law. It is a law that wheelchair assistance be provided for free. And thank God it is because for those of us that fall especially around people that don’t care about us and they knock into us and knock us to the ground and then hurry on by leaving us lay there. We praise God everyday for wheelchair assistance
The solution is simple. Require people to bring their handicapped placard/car mirror hanger to the airport and show it along with their ID in order to get the assistance they need. Requiring the ID would stop people from borrowing one from their friends or family. Also, only allow one person to accompany each disabled person instead of their entire family. Would keep service for those who, legitimately need it, and weed out the frauds quickly.
Stay out of other people’s business. I see it, whatever. It doesn’t affect me and anyone faking will eventually get what they deserve in other ways. Some of the stories here are brutal.
Stop snitching, Gary. No one wants you reminding the teacher we didn’t get assigned homework.
do what they used to do in ancient Greece! Throw them off a cliff
This is so easy to fix? Require a medical statement that you require assistance and you get it, otherwise wait like everybody else. And only 1 family member to accommodate the one who needs assistance? That way grandma can’t bring all the nieces, cousins, daughters and sons
I use a wheel chair to board. .Boarding passengers who need wheelchairs first makes sense, but I think they should last off.
I was witness to multiple miracles on Friday from my Southwest flight from Syracuse, NY to Oakland, CA. 7 wheelchairs boarding and only three rung their service light for a wheelchair to deplane in Baltimore. Saw it again from Baltimore to KC, and then for a final time from KC to Oakland. This is just a decline in our society where we turn the other way while others feel that they’re entitled to everything.
Southwest needs to start the seat assignment system like every other airline and stop this nonsense so people can stop their greedy ways
SW Needs to stop this buffoonery practice of boarding it’s always been degrading to que up at SWA
People on this site; No handicap spaces!
Normal people; Let’s kill the scum that pretends to be handicapped so they can get there first and pretend their meaningless lives have value to anyone but the guy they clock in for.
The airlines ought to be keeping track of this and ensuring that those folks get put in the do not fly list.
I’d be terrified to tempt fate by claiming a disability I didn’t actually have. We have funny memories of taking my dad to Asia for his 75th birthday. He really should use a cane but is far too proud/vain, and was quite insistent with the friendly SG staff that he didn’t need extra time. He did, indeed, manage to hobble to his seat just fine.
Have you ever flown to or in India? The wheelchair line is around the block. And all are miracle flights. An Indian guy wrote online about this and how ashamed he was — his take was that many Indians have this mindset that if something is free you just take it. So perfectly healthy older Indians just take it as a perk, no guilt no shame. I guess it’s the same for Southwest.