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.
I am a 78 year old female I Travel Southwest Airlines out of Philadelphia I have had 2 hip replacements and for arthriscopic knee surgeries it is impossible for me to walk from the front door of the airport to southwest gates which are at the end of the terminals. I ask for a wheelchair to take me frequently . Once I am at the gate and have set for a while I am able to walk onto the plane usually holding on to the rail and carrying my carry on bag as there is nothing wrong with my arms. When getting off the plane in Palm Beach, I am usually able to walk front door as the airport is very small but I have also asked for a wheelchair there at times depending on my pain level. The last time I flew Southwest, I had to wait in my wheelchair for well over an hour, at which point the airline personnel asked people to get up out of their wheelchairs and walk if possible on board As I listened to everyone who had been standing waiting complaining about all of us miracle people arising from our wheelchairs and walking on board with our canes or without them. It was most embarrassing and I felt very uncomfortable But was able to do that because I had set for an hour waiting to board the plane myself. People need to mind their own business and wait and not make judgments. Just because I Look healthy does not mean that I do not have a problem.
Easy fix, just charge for wheelchair use. Suddenly there will be a drop in demand.
[redacted -gl] I have a medical condition that makes me gain weight and a leg injury that makes it difficult to lose. I don’t preboard or use a wheelchair but your comments about being squished are rude. Not all of us are heavy by choice.
I wish everyone writing about disabled people was forced to live a full month with a disability. I needed a wheelchair for 4 months, then a walker for 3 months and will always occasionally need a cane after a bad accident over a year ago. I use priority boarding because I cannot stand for long periods and I need to have special scans for my internal and external medical hardware. I can, however, board and deboard a plane — albeit slowly and with assistance. It’s entirely plausible that 55 people were attracted to a specific disabled friendly cruise or destination and that some of them, like me, can handle some but not all of travel unassisted. Ultimately, here’s the question: what hurts society more: a slower loading of one plane so everyone can get on safely or faster loading that harm’s and/or humiliates 30 people for not being “disabled enough”?
This article will do nothing to solve the problem. Alot of people who read it will remember it and they will believe they have the ability to spot the “fakers” then they will aim their frustration and passive aggressive or openly aggressive behavior at disabled passengers. This article is so irresponsible and should be taken down. And of course it is the airlines fault. If they weren’t allowed to constantly overbook their flights then people those who may be able to forego the wheelchair would tough it out but nightmare experiences have taught them not to risk it.
I travel frequently and have noticed this scam with increasing regularity. They need to charge for the wheelchair and the employee assistance. Suddenly… no problem.
I have Parkinson’s. I’ve fallen twice on the jetway — once going up and once going down. Hand carry items fell all over me. The Southwest suits came running to help. Are you OK? Are you all right? Code for are you going to sue us? I use a wheelchair because of poor balance. Yes, I can get up and walk, but stumbles are unpredictable. The airports should thank me for preventing a lawsuit..
How about assisting WITHOUT providing priority? Yes, help someone get to the gate by giving a ride in a wheelchair. Then yes, help them get on the plane WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY THEIR TURN to board (as determined by the usual criteria used for all other passengers- such as booking date, boarding group numbers related to check-in time, fare paid, etc.)
Everyone feels that their medical issue is worse than the next person. Handicap parking,priority boarding, etc. If you’re in that bad of health call the damn morgue!
We have talked About this alot. Either charge a fee for the wheelchair or after they board, they need to stay seated until all passengers are off then bring those wheelchair people off. I bet that works to cut down the problem.
I agree, charge for the wheelchair service. It is an extra service after all.
What a sleazy country we have become. My uncle’s and step-father saw combat in WW2 to keep America free if fascism. My Mother worked at North American building the B-25 medium bomber. I’m so glad they are not here to see what a bunch of whiners Americans have become…they sacrificed some of the best years of their lives just so people could cheat because they were going to be inconvenienced a little bit.
If you take an injury remember karma. My mom, in the last years of her life, had to use a wheelchair at all times. She could barely walk because she had stage 4 breast cancer that later went to her brain. It caused Neuro damage to the entire right side of her body. Our family trips to Disney are what made her the most happy. Makes me sick to know people fake their injury. Trust me, even with brain damage, my mom would say how embarrassed she was to be in a wheelchair. Unable to walk or go to a regular bathroom. This was a woman who years before broke her back horseback riding. It was at the T10 region. She got up, limped a few feet to the ranch, got into our SUV and laid sideways 48 miles to the nearest ER!
I’ve flown 10 segments on SW since my injury, 4/2019. The first two segments all I remember is a transfer chair, wheelchair and I almost was dropped during a transfer. I was being flown home after a critical illness kept me in the hospital (out of state) for close to three months. Second trip was work related and I had a DME bag filled with DME stuff (ortho equip and meds) and got questioned by the ticketing agent (not cool – HIPPA, etc.) and was ashamed to explain something I didn’t have to. And I didn’t know that my wife could help me with board/de-boarding process at the time. I’m embarrassed about my injury and being different.
Segment seven was changing planes in PHX and while waiting in the isle to get off and find segment eight to get home, the passenger in front of me stepped back to push people behind him (me) out of the way so his able bodied travel companion could stand in the isle also. The passenger, male, had stepped on my foot (the foot that is still attached to my leg – but I’ve lost approx 85 % of use/function from toes to hip socket). I was trapped and couldn’t move. Asked nicely, twice, to please stop stepping on my foot – second time he turned around and muttered something that included a “no”. That was when the passenger’s lower back met my foreman. Mr Passenger then moved, involuntarily. That was the moment I learned to start advocating for myself. I would have no problem showing my handicap placard or anything else verifiable to qualify for Priority boarding. Just make the process standard and measurable. And introduce penalties if trying to scam.
I am disabled I have a rare disease that causes a very painful plus arthritis brittle bones I look normal I have had even airport employees ask can you walk a little. Yes but I used all my ability getting to the gate to get the wheelchair. I have had people fall on me while in wheelchair drop their luggage on me too.
I find people who think I am faking to be really inconsiderate this article does not help I travel with letter from my Dr to prove my disability and need of assistance. We should not have to pay more. All disabilities are not visible to the untrained eye
These people are a waste of oxygen, those of us that are paralyzed truly need the help that you are tying up with your self centered childish behavior.
Been saying this for years, I truly believe there should be seat assignments. That would cut the problem down by more than half.
I’ve been watching this problem for years. I love Southwest as a former (retired) employee but I’d rather take another flight or another means of transportation than having to go through all that mess.
We all know there are people who take advantage of every situation. These are the same people that misuse food stamps, SS benefits, unemployment, and covid relief. Seriously, 55 people on 1 flight that need wheelchair assistance! Shame!
Believe me I walk when I can even if I am hurting horribly due to people’s opinions. After 3 kidney transplants, many other major surgeries, damages to bone structure due to all the meds for rejection and a rare blood disoder,I still try to do it on my own because of people’s judgemental attitudes. I know show people fake. But like other gentleman said karma will come back to bite the fakers and she a biatch.
I use a wheelchair I have MS I do NOT look handicap I have a wheelchair meet me at the gate at the end of the flight but I choose to walk off the plane because they hot the bumps sooo hard wheelchair they pull the wheel chair back up it’s painful
Remember that some families would hire a person in wheelchair in Florida at Disney world to be able to get to the front of the line at all the attractions. Disney finally banned this type of activity. It’s pretty sad when a small number of people screw it up for the people with real disabilities
Jet bridge Jesus miracles.
At Thanksgiving, my mom needed a wheelchair curb to plane to curb (with a gate to gate transfer in Atlanta of all places). She had a walker that was gate checked. For the final leg of the trip, when we landed it was taking a while for a wheelchair to come because they didn’t have one readily available that fits on the planes. They asked my mom if she could walk off the plane, then a wheelchair could meet her on the ramp. Well, she could walk with the walker so her walker was brought on, she got up and walked off the plane to the wheelchair. So just because she could walk somewhat, doesn’t mean she could walk the whole thing. Plus, you all seem to think that only wheelchairs get priority boarding. It’s *anyone* who needs extra time boarding – so those with canes, walkers, crutches, boots, casts, balance issues, low eyesight, etc. can board early. Therefore your accusation have nothing to do with actual mobility. It is also illegal to ask for proof of a disability, or to discriminate by putting people in the back of charging them more. Frontier is asking for a lawsuit if they are actually charging for ADA accommodations as someone else stated.
I had major surgery on my ankle, when I book my flight I check the assistance box, but I get there early and walk to the gate. My ankle do swell up on me, but I rather take my time and walk to the gate.
I do know other people may need than me. I have a handicap decal for my car, but my ankle will never be the same.
So don’t just think because a person may look healthy, don’t mean they don’t have elements.
Practice common decency!
They give you a wheelchair no matter what kind of assistance you need. I sometimes travel with a friend who is blind and they are always pressuring her to use a wheelchair. Plus she needs more help getting to her seat on the plane than getting off. And the flight attendants have to give her a special safety talk about how many seats to count to the safety exit etc.
I am a stage 4 breast cancer patient with metastasis to bone- and I do not look sick- when I travel- I get so many dirty looks but because of my bone cancer- I can’t walk long distances- so I do the wheel chair- – I have a number to skip security check (precheck #) and I have a card from DMV (handicap plate card) – so don’t need the wheelchair to skip a line- but to get to a plane
As a disabled Veteran managing stroke and hip fracture surgery recovery, I’ve been forced to swallow my pride and requested wheelchair assistance along with havingTSA Precheck. Agree that even though we are privileged to board first, I’m just fine with deplaning last. Wheelchair to luggage check helps sooo much. Anyone boarding first due to a supposed disability with or without wheelchair assistance should deplane last. (For safety reasons). LOL! As for wheelchair assistance requested “at the airport”, I think there should be a charge. Substantial. Any true disabled person is going to make damn sure that wheelchair request is on the ticket order. Oh yeah! Southwest. Your public is talking. Join the conversation.
Why not have travelers who require a wheelchair for assistance because of a disability, show a letter from their family physician, or a official government issued disability ID card?
I’m 53 years old and have had a knee replacement, back and neck surgery. I also have a spinal cord stimulator to help reduce my pain. Sadly, it’s really hard for me to walk to and from the gates. Not all disabilities can be seen and people have no idea what others go through nor the troubles they have. I hate taking the wheelchairs but I have too and I know others look at me as if I’m taking advantage of the wheelchair services, but I assure you I am not. I would much rather be able to walk through the airport than have all this pain along with the disabilities I have. The only flights I’ve seen with a bunch of wheelchairs waiting is to Las Vegas. I agree that this article shouldn’t even be up here because it is going to make others see us people with actual disabilities seem like we’re just using the system to get priority boarding. I’ll be more than happy to pay a fee to have the wheelchair assistance. I’ve waited over 30 minutes to get to baggage claim. My mother is 75 years old. She has A-fib, low blood pressure and has a horrible time walking and I suppose she shouldn’t use the wheelchair service either?? That’s what this article is doing. It’s going to make it very difficult to get the wheelchair service for us people that actually need it. I guess I could always show my disability card that goes with my license plate to everyone like I did when I first started using the wheelchair service cause I didn’t want anyone to think I was trying to fake it.
This is the type of article that will cause nothing but problems for disabled people! You now have raised an awareness of something that is probably happening in small measure but will cause all the nosies out there to think is happening everywhere! As a disabled person who looks normal on the outside I get plenty of stares when I take the wheelchair thru the airport. That doesn’t mean that I don’t need to have it. You have just greatly increased the judgment that people like me will have to put up with. It’s humiliating enough to have to be wheeled through the airport without people passing judgment as to whether or not you need it. There will always be some people who break the rules for their own benefit but that doesn’t mean that everybody is doing it. I don’t always take a wheelchair off the plane simply because I don’t have a time limit to get to my transportation nor do I have a long period of time to stand in line, plus I’ve just rested on the flight so temporarily I might be feeling slightly better at the end of a flight. That does not mean that I did not need a wheelchair to get to the flight! I know multiple other people in the same exact situation as myself so I imagine there are many many more. Now we’re all going to get a lot more dirty looks and snide comments so thanks a lot!
Relatively easy fix. Have to show handicap placard and associated identification card issued with placard to get wheelchair. Or, for a price, issue a separate handicap identification card similar to TSA precheck, which would be referenced when reservations are made and further referenced on boarding pass.
I am a breast cancer survivor, 74 years of age, but look like I am age 50 or younger. I am blonde, take care of my body. I’m fortunate to come from great genes and have great skin. Unfortunately, I have lost a breast to cancer.
Due to my age, I have also lost cartilage in my hip joints & right knee. But, regardless , I have never let theses issues keep me down. I stay as active as possible. Depending on the weather & my daily pain level , I do, occasionally, use a cane or walker. Chemo & radiation have, obviously, not been kind; I have neuropathy in my feet & hands.
I appear very healthy, but inside, that is not the case. When traveling, it is difficult to navigate an airport, especially when the boarding gates are a long distance from ticketing or the TSA areas, also when connecting flights are terminals apart. Therefore, I do require wheelchair assist to board & exit a plane. I am able to walk down the aisle of a plane & use the restroom. Other than SWA, all of the seats I have purchased on United or American, have always been in rows 24 or farther back. I do not require special seating & don’t require an upgrade.
I appreciate the attendants who assist me and I tip them well. Minimum $10 to $15, each way. A flight that requires 2 plane changes can cost me an extra $40 to $60, just to get to my destination and the same amount to return home. So, for those who have paid to upgrade their seat, the wheelchair assist costs me as well. I realize not all wheelchair assist persons receive a gratuity, but I do my part and then some. Shame on those who do not tip! The wheelchair attendant provides an extra service, they deserve a little extra!
Since I do not fit the perceived appearance of what most people determine a disabled person should look like, ie. missing a foot, leg, arm, using crutches because of a foot or leg cast, wrinkled appearance, hunched over & drooling, I receive dirty looks, rude & unkind comments and often huffs of disgust from passers by.
So, for those who contend that a healthy LOOKING person does not appear to need a wheelchair, it’s none of your business and you don’t know a thing about me. For those who fake it, are dishonest and take advantage of the service, you are deplorable & extremely narcissistic!
I apologize to those who feel their time, patience and travel objective are more important than anyone else’s. I, personally, am very self-conscience that I need to use a wheelchair, because I am fully aware of the negative doubt reflected my way when in the chair. To you disgruntled individuals, I wish you continued good health and hope you never require this type of assistance.
It happens all the time on trips from NY and Boston to Fla. All airlines; old people are the worst, one of the many reasons they get so little respect.
And I’m in my 70’s. These people were jerks when they were young. They just got old.
Joanne Boss I agree . I have bilateral vocal cord paralysis which makes distance walking difficult. I also fly southwest to Chicago. From checkin to the gate is very difficult for me. However Tampa airport is an easy walk. So I guess I am one of those miracles. Of course there are fakers – but what is the percentage?
And now that you’ve posted this finding don’t you think that even more than 30 will try to do this going forward?
And so it begins. Human beings ALWAYS have to ruin things for other human beings! Now the airports/airlines need to start requiring handicap documentation from anyone requesting assistance…ruining it for people who actually need assistance through the airport and on the plane. SMH
Most are scammers (please overweight people you know you can walk, just laziness!) I just shake my head when I fly, always more and more wheelchairs. I agree an extra charge will alleviate some of this.
I travel from New England to southwest Florida on Southwest frequently. I would say that the majority of people utilizing wheelchairs do need them. There are definitely people working the system though. However, what really angers me are the people who claim they need to pre board. These are not people in wheelchairs. All you have to do to pre board is to tell the agent you need to do so – no questions asked. The amount of these types of pre boarders has increased dramatically. I’ve seen upwards of 30-40 people doing this. Really irks me when I pay top dollar to be in the A group.
All you Karen’s stop being so noisy and judgmental!! People have unseen disabilities. People with disabilities please do not give a rats behind about these ignorant Karen’s ( Guy and girl Karen’s) opinions. They don’t do anything but put negatively around them. Don’t except that negativeity. You have a right to have dignity and to your rights. It is ok if you need assistance. Disabilities can happen to anyone. I am very patient with anyone with a disability. I am greatful that I do not have a mobile disability and more then happy to help thoes if they need it. Please don’t feel bad about your disabilities.
What’s stopping Southwest from banning people who openly fake a disability?
This issue would go away as soon as people who needed assistance getting on the plant l plane were made to wait while everyone deplanes at the destination so they can have assistance deplaning.
This is why I don’t travel anymore. U am disabled. I use a cane or walker on really good days around my home, but a powerchair when I have to go out. 4 back surgeries, 9+ other operations, and other various injuries from falls make it necessary. However, if you saw me just standing, I look fine. At 6′ 2″+ and 250, I just look like the athlete I was with a “Dad bod” tummy for good measure. Clothes hide the scars. I have had people scream at me when I shop but don’t use my chair because it is such a pain to load. We went to the store the other day and a 20 something kid parked in the last HC spot JUMPED out of his car and jogged to the store in a drizzle. Yes, he had a placard, but it obviously wasn’t his. This needs to stop. When we asked the store manager about it, he said, “Call the cops”, and walked away. We called the Police, and were told, “It’s private property, so we don’t issue citations”. Someone needs to step up (pun intended) and fix this.
Handicapped service should NOT be charged extra for.
It is a service provided for a classified group of people that is protected by law. That makes it different from a service that is an upgrade or privilege for people without disabilities. Having a disability is painful and limiting. If you are not the one with the disability, then you are not in a position to judge or determine their needs. Where is your humanity?
People with disabilities should not have to pay for wheelchair service, and having a seat near the front of the plane is a necessity as walking on and off the plane is very difficult without the use of a walker, instead holding onto the flight attendants hand.
Furthermore, balancing by holding onto their hand requires more strength and balance than using a walker, and leaves me exhausted, sore and worn out. It takes days to recover. I can walk only short distances with a walker and require the wheelchair for longer distances. And yes, people with disabilities have a need to fly too.
This is rea;;y terrible. I need wheelchair access because of my conditions and for the first time in three years, I waited a fairly long time in getting assistance and boarding a plane. I was waiting with mostly seniors. When we landed at our destination, half the seniors were able to walk out of the airport on their own.
Something needs to be done about this like providing medical documentation before getting assistance.
My dad needed help with a chair when he was undergoing treatment for advanced stage cancer(he passed soon after), my (late) husband needed the chair when traveling the last few years of his life due to heart problems and emphysema, my now husband needs a chair when a long walk is necessary due to neuropathy, disc replacement and fusion surgery, I have occasionally needed a chair when my bad knee flares up. I don’t fly SW, I pay for very good seating and tip those who help get us to the plane. I have even (when I am not having a flare up) pushed my husbands chair myself when needed such as when we get off the plane and no person is available to help us. It can be difficult but we manage. Not everyone is so lucky to have someone there to help. I have found that other passengers sometimes help me get the chair up the gangway as it is uphill getting off the plane. I appreciate the help. I understand that there will be fakers, we are not! I hate the comments that sometimes get said when one or both of us need chairs. I would rather use my cane in pain and do my best than hear all that crap. Unfortunately, my husband can’t just make do with a cane or Walker. He also has COPD so there is that. We are both in our late 60’s. Please people, quit being judge mental, be grateful that you don’t need the help. For those who feel that we should have to pay extra for help, need to ‘Prove’ our need ( this is an Ada no no)!! Again, be grateful! We have the Handicapped Car Placard that we had to show proof of need to obtain from the doctor. That is sufficient. I used to make sure to carry it on our travels, but then that meant we had to get a ride to and from the airport because we could not use the handicapped parking without the placard. How would that help? Some don’t use a placard because they have a handicap plate attached to the car, how would that work? Think about your judgements before commenting on these posts that only serve to stir up trouble.
Goodness what’s with the people who aren’t regular commenters claiming this is about people who don’t “look” like they should be disabled being shamed.
It’s about people who claim to need assistance to get on, and then walk away unhindered on arrival, when the incentives are gone. No idea what a scammer looks like.
Fact is there are scammers, and this is about calling them out so they don’t harm those who really need it.
It’s getting out of control on Southwest. I paid extra to upgrade, got seat A 2 and 30 preboards went before me. A man just walked up to a empty wheelchair and sat there, I could clearly see group C on his ticket, then he and all the others walk off the plane.
This is an easy fix….especially for southwest.
I to have witnessed numerous individuals walking through airports with no problem in their gait or physical limitations, and yet they boarded with wheelchair assistance. It could be that some flights effectuate a miracle cure, but doubtf.
I strongly believe there is a need for assistance in some cases and the remedy is quite simple for a carrier like Southwest. Those needing assistance , and remember their traveling partners as well, should be boarded first and assisted to the seats toward the rear area of the plane. That way they can equally be assisted off the plane more easily once the other passengers have exited. This would solve the fraudster crap and more importantly get those that really need assistance the help they require to disembark. I know for a fact Southwest has lost former patrons due to the alarming increase in the actions of those that feign needing assistance to board early.
A sprained ankle is not a disability, so if the airlines are giving that service to a passenger, they need to limit it to a wheelchair ride to the terminal and leave them there, taking the wheelchair away. The person can walk and have their normal boarding and seat place. It would be good to have a card from the doctor or hospital to identify us as disabled, and the time frame (a person with a broken leg is a temporary disability). This is something not provided yet. Using handicapped services when not handicapped is a crime. Find a way to punish those persons, NOT the real handicapped persons. It is a $250 fine for parking in a handicapped space, and the car can be towed.
Comments saying to charge for the handicapped services is ridiculous, backward thinking. This world has gotten crazy in their thinking that the solution to problems iis to punish the innocent for the actions of the guilty. Handicapped people will still need the service, therefore paying for it if it is charged. It might deter some of the guilty persons, but not all. Deal with the problem, which is the guilty persons. Fine them and ban them. This is where a card identifying us as handicapped would be helpful. Besides the physical and mental struggles, it is expensive to be handicapped. It typically limits our monthly income, and though some may be able to continue working and earning a decent income, many and perhaps most cannot.