When 55 passengers board a single flight using wheelchairs, that’s tough not to notice. But when only 25 need assistance getting off the plane at their destination, it starts to look like 30 people requested assistance just to get priority board, plus maybe assistance through the security line at the airport.
And since this is a Southwest Airlines flights, wheelchair assistance means getting on board in front of those with an “A” boarding group – ahead of people who paid the highest fares and have the highest status. That means having first choice of seats on the aircraft.
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
Some unscrupulous people request wheelchair assistance at the airport when they don’t need it, using their ‘injury’ for a whole bunch of benefits:
- Early boarding gets them access to overhead bin space before other passengers, and avoids being forced to gate check bags.
- It also gets around basic economy restrictions at United which are enforced by boarding group, netting a free carry on bag.
- On Southwest they’d have their choice of seats on board.
- Plus help skipping security lines.
At the same time, some flights are going to have a lot more wheelchairs than others. Governor Ron DeSantis calls Florida “God’s waiting room” and travel in and out of South Florida at heavy leisure times is likely to see a lot of passenger assistance. The presence of wheelchairs alone doesn’t mean that someone is faking the need for service.
Moreover, more passengers getting assistance onto the aircraft than getting off doesn’t on its own mean that somebody is ‘faking it’. The long waits for assistance, making it difficult to get help, can mean choosing not to wait even when it would be better for someone to do so. Plus you’re going to want to get up and move around after sitting in a coach seat for the full flight.
Nonetheless a 15-to-1 ratio of passengers using wheelchairs to get onto a plane (and getting priority assistance) versus getting off (and having to wait for service) seems… suspicious?
Sometimes passengers even admit it. One man on TikTok shows how he fakes an injury to get priority screening from the TSA and then assistance through the airport.
And here’s a man who filmed himself pretending to have sprained his ankle at the Bodrum Airport. He saw huge lines and was worried he’d miss his flight, and wound up pushed in a wheelchair through the airport and to his seat. He was even given his own row on board so he could stretch out. After the flight – it was a miracle – he could walk!
Remember that wheelchair assistance can be both costly and in short supply, if you ask for wheelchair assistance when you don’t need it you’re taking away that help from someone else or making someone that does need it wait even longer. The head of London Heathrow airport even blamed problems there on passengers asking for wheelchair assistance when they don’t need it given the shortage of workers to help. That’s no ok.
Comparing 30 to 25 is not a “15 to 1 ratio”. Most journalists seem to have some basic misunderstandings of how numbers work. That’s why they are journalists. They know words, but not numbers.
Not everyone is faking. For those who are not this post was not aimed at you. But there are those who do fake for the very reasons mentioned above. On one flight I worked we had 35 wheel chairs to board. It takes up precious time to get everyone on board. This particular flight had an issue which resulted in everyone having to deplane to take another aircraft. Only two of the 35 passengers needing assistance stayed to wait for assistance off of the plane. Everyone else walked off AND walked to the new gate with no extra assistance. But when it came time to re-board the flight they needed assistance again! Needless to say the only ones assisted were the two passengers who actually needed it. We definitely live in an “all about me” society. It’s sad.
You’re shooting the messenger. There is an obvious problem while there are legitimate people in need. How about a $1000.00 fine for people gaming the system. Need more time to board, then you need more time to deplane. New plan… First In, Last Out. You leave before early, get a fine. Modify as required.
It’s not the airlines fault. It’s people taking advantage of the ADA law in which all airlines are governed by.
I’m a 69-year-old boomer… Yes a Boomer! And here is my issue. Just two weeks ago I went to Florida with my son and his family. He had a wheelchair take me to the gate, but I gimped down the ramp, with my cane, holding on to the railing. We also went to Universal Studios, and he rented a scooter for me because there is no way I could go from 8:45 a.m. till 9:30 p.m. on my own two worthless legs! Then when we left Florida, they gave me a wheelchair ride to the gate, but this attendant wanted to give me a ride all the way to the entrance of the plane, even though I really didn’t need it. I definitely did not want to use either and being a stubborn German / Austrian, I have been fighting it for the last 5 years. But this year was different. Yes I was embarrassed, and humiliated, but it turned out I really, really needed it. I’ve had 20 plus knee surgeries, three shoulder surgeries, one back surgery, and now just a year ago, I ripped tendon that attaches your ankle to your leg,! And it’s still doesn’t work that great. Plus I have RA especially in my feet, along with a beautiful gift of neuropathy. Basically I’m a mess! And I couldn’t have gone walking for a mile in the airport and made it to the plane at all. And walking for miles and miles in Universal Studios would never have happened. I would have missed everything my grandchildren got to do. I know people hate me for using those tools, but damn it I earned it, and I’m in pain 24/7 and I can barely walk around the house because now I’ve been having dizzy spells on top of it. So I apologize to everyone if I’m in your way. And I have to say I am glad that they board me first, and here’s the reason why. When you’re already having mobility issues, people bump into you so hard that they can knock me over, and I’m not kidding. People are rude and they don’t care when they see you walking with a cane they walk right into you. And that says nothing about all the little kids running around, and coming up behind you, and plowing right into you. They don’t do it on purpose, but it still happens. My grandson who is 2 years old, can sometimes sneak up on me from behind and just about blows me off my feet unintentionally. And that scares me because here’s the deal once I’ve fallen there’s no way I can get back up under my own power. So all of you complaining about why would I would board first, unless you’re willing to help me get up from falling or tripping., Please keep that reason in mind. Not everyone is the same and from the outside except for my cane, I don’t look mobility disabled. If I were to board last can you imagine me trying to get down the aisleway, bumping into every one of you, because I’m not steady on my feet. I would be like a drunken sailor hitting every chair, every person who’s elbow is in the aisle, anybody who has anything remotely sticking, out like a foot I would trip over. Wouldn’t that be nice? Would you help me get down the aisle if you saw that? Doubtful…
If the airline told wheelchair users that seating for them is designated to the back of the aircraft only I wonder how many would get up and wait there tern like the rest of us!
Once, I’d paid for “early bird” check-in and it didn’t process – I ended up with a “C” boarding card when I checked in. I complained at the desk and the employee said this happens sometimes and immediately marked my card for pre-boarding with the disabled passengers. I took the early boarding, but felt uncomfortable boarding with folks who needed it when I didn’t. ANYWAY, just wanted to say that Southwest may be adding to the problem. Not with people faking a need for wheelchairs, but by handing out pre-boarding when they need to resolve a problem.
I’m 59 and have 5 herniated discs plus a fractured coxis, if you see me you wouldn’t think I’m unable to walk long distances or stand for to long. Don’t be to fast to judge people. I acknowledge those who fake just to get ahead and it’s terrible, but I only request a shell chair when I know I’m going to have a long path at airports .
They should board them first but seat them towards the rear of the plane and be last ones off so they don’t hold up other passengers who are in a hurry as info my wife needs a wheel chair because of limited walking distance
Airlines can also push the wheelchair assistance beyond when it’s necessary. I just called one for disability assistance and they really wanted me to get one and I had to insist that it wasn’t necessary.
It’s a problem with the booking process. There really isn’t a website option between needing no assistance and needing a wheelchair. You can call and ask but lots of people probably don’t want to bother calling and sitting on hold so they just click wheelchair instead of calling and explaining the level of assistance they need.
How absolutely offensive this article is!! You have no idea why people use wheelchairs at airports!! And you didn’t even bother to find out!
I am disabled and use a wheelchair at the airport. I have M.S. and cannot stand for more than a few minutes without my legs giving out. Have you ever been on a plane and waited to board? You can stand forever! I also suffered from a Spinal fluid leak that left me unable to pull, push or lift luggage. I have traveled the country for spinal surgeries and spinal procedures. I have at times taken a wheelchair to get on a flight, but not deplaned, as someone is there with my wheelchair. I have also flown to get surgery or a blood patch, but needed one getting on the return flight! I am young and look perfectly healthy if you were to look at me! I am sure there are some questioning me as if I really need one, and ya know know what I say… I wouldn’t wish this life on anyone. I have been suicidal over my debilitating pain and health. If they want to question me… go right ahead! Maybe one day they will be in my position and will understand. I can only hope!
Dear Mathjunkie: the 15 to 1 ratio would be correct on Bachman’s cited return flight; you may be good at math but not at reading comprehension. Or not: as to your math for the outbound, you should be comparing 55, not 30, to 25.
You’re welcome.
I think it might help if people had their handicap plaque with them or an official Doctors note.
I had a broken ankle and I had a cane. I was put in a wheelchair and forgotten about. I said,I can use my cane and was told. Rules are if they see crutches or a cane they must get a wheelchair. Once in the chair,with my suitcase underneath,I needed help. I couldn’t leave the chair to use the restroom alone or someone would steal my luggage. I was better off with my cane and carry on luggage.
Please don’t blame the ADA laws. The fault lands solely at the feet of the people who abuse the use of wheelchair services at airports.
USA has become a place where everyone is a grifter, hustler, scammer, or a cretin. Country in massive decline.
This is offensive. I have Parkinson’s Disorder and medications help me with mobility. Sometimes the medications don’t work. I am in my 50’s and look perfectly normal and healthy one moment and can experience balance control and movement problems the next
I might not need the wheelchair one moment and the circumstances might change the next. Are you telling me that I have to worry about the judgement of clueless passengers who have no awareness of the neurological ailment that I suffer from?
Bottom line these are ‘miracle’ flights that occur all the time. Anyone in need of assistance getting on should have to wait for assistance getting off.
I have seen this faking. First time I saw it I did not understand it. Just odd. But then I noticed a pattern. Shame on fraudsters.
There is the risk that the miracle flight phenomenon will continue to worsen. SWA and other airlines would do well to solve this before they lose their regular customers. Requiring all wheelchair passengers to check any bag over 5 lb is one possible deterrent.
My comments are not for those who have true need because I absolutely know the need exists! But Southwest Airlines has a significantly higher proportion of preboarders than any other airline and the numbers keep growing every Southwest flight I take. People you would NEVER see preboarding on another airline. It’s offensive and disrespectful to those who have a true need AND those who pay additional for priority boarding. It has everything to do with Southwests open seating policy.
Sadly I’m one that does need wheelchair assistance and those folks who don’t need it are just taking away from those who don’t
Not only at the airlines but in every other functions like parking in handicapped spot with no decal. Being able to get a riding cart at the grocery store as I have sat waiting for one for an hour just to be able to purchase groceries
So Shame on those who are not handicapped using this as an easy out
I would love to just walk on to the plane or park further away or just get around a store without needing assistance
You just don’t know the struggle to do simple everyday things you once were able to do
I feel compelled to address the back of the plane thing. How much time do you think it would take to get 51 people with motor disabilities to the back of the bus … oh I mean to the back of the plane? And by all means slap a label around my neck to make sure everyone knows I know that if I fall again, I may be a paraplegic. Then I won’t need a sign. We are willing to let criminals walk free so a free man won’t be imprisoned but we want the folks that need some extra help to prove they need a wheelchair. If you want to fine people for abusing a system they don’t need, who is going to investigate? I smell lawsuits. Chances are some of the folks that didn’t game the system walked of of the plane when they shouldn’t have because of the chaos. Let me take a final moment to praise the folks that help with the wheelchairs. My experience
has been positive. It is wonderful to still see kindness in the world.
We used to take my aunt with us and she was first to board, but had to wait to leave the plane – wheelchairs are waiting in the jetway for able passengers to hurry by. There is no reason to punish all handicapped for the few fakers, just Adjust the system somehow to identify those in real need of early boarding.
My wife uses a wheelchair and I also fly alone for business. So I have seen both sides. When flying with my wife, we use assistance arriving and departing the aircraft; we try our best to sit at the back of the aircraft and be the last off of the aircraft, thus not holding up other passengers whom may have connecting flights. We just feel that this is common courtesy and respect to others.
I have the same issue with Southwest. I paid extra for business class and to be able to board first since I get sick in the back. I understand that in this politically correct world you can’t question the assistance need but if you need it, you should need it boarding and offloading. Maybe rear seating is the answer or showing your passes. Still prefer Southwest to all other airlines.
Yes. The people in wheelchairs need assistance. When the plane lands, half of the get up and walk off. SouthWest Airlines is known for this, Allegiant you get on with a wheelchair, you get off last. That’s the way Allegiant deals with it. For those who need assistance, that’s fine, but many fake it.
Seating people with disabilities in the rear of the plane is ridiculous. Navigating those narrow aisles is problematic. Add low vision to that mix and it’s even more complicated. Maybe if we have a disability parking plate or something on an ID? If a recent injury, something from a doctor? It’s embarrassing how many people try to shame my daughter and me while I escort her during pre-board. I’m always tempted to pull up the back of her shirt and show the huge scars on her back from the surgeries. And those are just on the back. Sigh.
I travel through Southwest Airlines twice a year for the last four years. I have seen it all when it comes to ADA scams. There are obvious legit cases to which there are no dought legitimate cases. I witness during one trip from BWI to Hobby in Houston one guy about my age and his adult son. I had watched both from the time they got off the park in ride bus all the way to the gate. Both could walk just fine. In fact the older guy carried his own luggage into the airport, lifted his luggage onto the weight counter with no assistance. However when I ran into these two again the older guy was in a wheel chair to which his son tagged along. They both took opposite front row seats from one snother They both layed their legs across all three seats. However the younger 20 something was told later because it was a packed flight that he had to move his legs so that other people had a seat. The older guy got away with his excuse. Once at Hobby they both were the first up, standing and out the door. Jesus must had heeled this guy during the flight. To make matters worst the two had the same car rental location. On the bus to the rental location the older guy grabbed his heavy suit case and he and his son jumped off one stop ahead of the rental car location only to sprint to be first in line for their rental. I see this all the time including handicap parking. Anyone can get a quack to sign off on their handicap license tag these days. The real travesty are those who truly need it and end up being held back or denied a parking space. Everybody are lovers of themselves today. This is certainly abuse!!!!!
Simple solutions: (1) charge them for that service, if they didn’t reserve it prior to getting to the airport; (2) make them wait to deboard last and require them to use wheelchairs all the way out to baggage claim, including having to wait for a chair if necessary. Someone with the need for a chair will be used to that requirement.
There should be a fine for those faking it. My Mom is severely disabled and if she wasn’t able to get a wheelchair because someone was being selfish I’d loose my temper. For truly disabled people it’s not about ALL the perks; it’s about 2: 1) Knowing you can get a seat that bear suits your needs. 2) Knowing no one is going to run into you causing further injury and/or pain. People are obviously rude and selfish (this article is just sprinkles on the cake), they tend to just run into disabled people without thought or care. It’s tasteless and disgusting. I feel the airlines should be able to decline service to obvious fakers and everyone getting off that plane showing clear signs of being able-bodied need to leave with a huge fine!
People needing a wheelchair should be required to show their Parking Placard/I.D card that will have their name and Placard number on it. I know because I have one. Maybe have the actual placard with them as well.
I’m 77 years old and request assistance to the gate and from gate to gate when changing planes. Why? Because I cannot walk that far hauling my carry on. The airlines or airports should provide those shuttle carts to the elderly capable walking from the waiting area down the range at without assistance.
If you need help boarding or a wheelchair you should be forced to board and get off the plane after all the capable customers I was stuck behind the silver club a full row of six woman that needed wheelchairs coming back from San Juan one with a brace on while the pilots told the passengers that needed help or wheelchairs to wait as to not delay those trying to make connections the silver club took 25 mins to get off and created a wheelchair clusterfuck on the ramp and we’re trying to give me a listen here sonny get off my lawn kinda talk…..and it’s like ma’am you’re the problem
This has been going on with Southwest for years. And based on my observations over hundreds of Southwest flights I’d guess maybe 1 out of 10 people pre-boarding wait for assistance deplaning.
I call these flights ‘Miracle Flights’.
I’m 71 years old with Multiple Sclerosis. I just returned from a week visit to Arizona. I used a wheelchair but only after going through the checkpoints. Getting around the airports is very long and difficult. I can handle going thru the checkpoints on some trips. Early on in my diagnosis, I couldn’t & used wheelchairs from curbside to curbside. It just depends for me. However, if there are people out there using it fraudulently, shame on them. It’s setup for a reason & not to benefit the unempathic characters of this society!
I request a wheel chair at airport terminals. I can’t walk the distance of the terminal. I develop rapid heart beat and difficulty breathing. I can however walk short distances without the wheelchair. I always feel ridiculous getting up and walking to the restroom. But I can absolutely not walk the distance of the terminal.
People with Legit ailments should not get so mad at our comments. But SWA is the worst, especially when I pay for Business Select and have to wait behind these scammers, who do not wait for their wheelchairs once we land. Perhaps pre-boarders should be given a plastic card to give to the wheel chair pushers at the end of the flight. That way flight attendants would know how many wheelchairs are needed once we land. These Pre-boarders must sit until all others de-plane and then get their wheelchair. That would deter the scammers.
I saw the same issue in my flight to Las Vegas. I asked Southwest desk why so many wheelchairs. You don’t have to prove an injury so people abuse it. Flight landed not 1 of at least 25 people who requested chairs to get in the flight waited for one. It is a big problem with Southwest and it is sad that healthy people abuse this. They should thank God they don’t need a wheelchair.
I saw the same issue in my flight to Las Vegas. I asked Southwest desk why so many wheelchairs. You don’t have to prove an injury so people abuse it. Flight landed not 1 of at least 25 people who requested chairs to get in the flight waited for one. It is a big problem with Southwest and it is sad that healthy people abuse this. They should thank God they don’t need a wheelchair.
Wheel chairs to the back of the plane!! ALL LUGAGE to be checked in at ticket counter, would help !! People that check all luggage might think twice, especially those that use this disability to take more luggage than allowed to!! And this would alleviate storage space in over head!!!!!
Two words: seat assignment
I fly southwest when it meets my needs. I also use a mobility scooter which gets gate checked at the plane so I only have to walk on and off the plane. I also pay for early bird boarding even though I don’t have to I normally sit in the middle of the plane and I am one of the last to exit the plane where my problem starts is from the curb to the plane and then from plane to curb I can’t walk that distance without pain. I take my scooter with me and it is a pain in the rear it’s not as easy as you think when you own the wheelchair or scooter I hope those of you that are so petty to complain about people who need this help never really find out what it is like to need this help. There are some airlines that charge you if you need assistance and that is more than the price of your ticket in most cases like frontier airlines charges for the assistance starting at $25 from curb to gate and then another $25 from gate to the curb plus you have to pay to check your device that is another $100 because it’s luggage and if you need anything else you get charged for that to so go ahead and complain that you didn’t get the seat you wanted at least you on on the plane
I have to use a wheelchair in places like Denver to get to my destination because I cannot walk that far due to a legitimate back injury. I do not use one to get on the plane though
This so disgusting! I have many back and nerve issues , which I do use this service when the day is a painful one and terminal is far for walking even with my combo seat/cane. Even so I have the need for the service, it is pretty embarrassing to have someone pushing you on a wheelchair and embarrassing cutting the security line. I don’t think you should be able to cut but it does make sense, so the person assisting you can get back to assist someone else and not be waiting in long line. All needing assistance also need to wait in their seat until all disembark. There have been times that no one shows up with a chair to disembark. You pick your seat, prior to checking in, so not sure about getting a better seat. I once paid extra for extra leg room for when my leg cramps, but upon checking in, they said only able body could use that seat because it was a emergency area, makes sense, however I did not get another extra room seat, I was assigned a regular cramped seat. So you try to just rotate sides while seating and get up to stretch. I wish there was a way to accurately call out the fakers, but guess airlines don’t want the risk of being wrong and being sued.
Yes, some people take advantage. But, the airlines must assume some fault as they overbook causing people to be uncomfortable and infuriated that they have to pay extra for better seating.
Go back to assigned seating. At least the passenger know where they are going to seat! South West had good idea until things have changed and SW didn’t keep up. Like their outdated computer system.
Airlines need to come up with a plan to correct this. As they are start with the bogus service animals. Have a hold on their CC and if they use the wheelchair getting off they are not charged. Sit them in the back. Check their bags at no charge so they will not be i. a hurry to run off…. We need to keep complaining to airlines to stop this abuse. If they really need it i’m for them.
Shame to you hypocrites that use a service not actually needed. I use a rollator walker for short distances but sometimes require a wheelchair for longer distances. Just because I have limited mobility I do not expect priority boarding. I will wait my turn.
I will behave maturely and respectfully to airport staff and passengers because I was taught manners and behaving well show class not crass. The self entitled culture needs to realize they are a part of the world and society they live in – not the center of it. Grow Up.
It’s the scumbag scammers who then post themselves being scumbags, who should be barred from early boarding.
Not everyone is faking…….baby boomers are now 60 to 70…..my dad is 89 he had heart surgery so he needs a wheelchair. My mom is 84 chronic leg pain she needs one. I just had a major back surgery. I would need one. Where we would just use one for dad now we need 3. Sorry but not sorry…do your job hire more help