Flew Southwest, impressed

[PatMcDuck]

I have flown SW many times, I prefer it for many reasons.

We flew home Friday, from MCO back to Philadelphia. My son can walk, but uses a large Convaid chair. We lined up with the pre-board group, he was still in his chair. We were 6th in line, and last. To my surprise, the CAPTAIN came out and rolled my son down the gangway. I guess it was slow boarding because of the number of WC passengers (most were elderly, and could walk, one was in a WC and could not walk). He even helped me fold it up and carried it out the door to the outside. I was warning him, it's really heavy!

 

[Bete]

I'm glad it was a good experience.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I have flown SW many times, I prefer it for many reasons.

We flew home Friday, from MCO back to Philadelphia. My son can walk, but uses a large Convaid chair. We lined up with the pre-board group, he was still in his chair. We were 6th in line, and last. To my surprise, the CAPTAIN came out and rolled my son down the gangway. I guess it was slow boarding because of the number of WC passengers (most were elderly, and could walk, one was in a WC and could not walk). He even helped me fold it up and carried it out the door to the outside. I was warning him, it's really heavy!

I have had excellent service flying SW with my ECV. As a matter of fact I also was flying SW from MCO on Friday night too! Only I was flying into BWI instead of Philly! Honestly, I have found that many times they will pull the ECVs or power chairs first before wheelchairs (unless the person is traveling with a personally owned wheel chair) because the workers need as much time as possible to prepare & stow the ECV or chair. So the sooner they get possession, the faster they can get their job done. Glad it was such a great experience! That is always good news!

 

[kirstenb1]

That's great to hear! I hope you guys had a good time at WDW.

 

[chaoslobster]

I adore Southwest. I fly with my personal scooter, and I'm usually alone. The SW employees will wave me to the front of the pre-board queue, escort me (on the scooter) down the ramp to the entrance, and make sure I'm able to make it off the scooter and into the cabin. They'll also take my carry-on and my coat and cane and any other paraphernalia I've got, follow me to my seat and stow whatever needs stowing in the overhead bin for me. I've never even asked, perhaps it's just obvious that I'm too short to reach!

I've never understood why so many people hate Southwest. The one and only time I flew a "regular" airline (American, I think), my scooter wasn't there after we landed and I had to ask two flight attendants before finding someone who even remembered I'd boarded with a scooter. Then I waited 15 minutes on the plane before they found it and brought it to the terminal, where I had to explain I couldn't walk up the boarding ramp carrying my backpack, purse, coat, and cane, and that I needed them to bring the scooter to me. The whole time I had the distinct impression I was inconveniencing everyone. For this privilege I paid several hundred dollars more than the same ticket on Southwest. Never again.

 

[AJKMOM]

I adore Southwest. I fly with my personal scooter, and I'm usually alone. The SW employees will wave me to the front of the pre-board queue, escort me (on the scooter) down the ramp to the entrance, and make sure I'm able to make it off the scooter and into the cabin. They'll also take my carry-on and my coat and cane and any other paraphernalia I've got, follow me to my seat and stow whatever needs stowing in the overhead bin for me. I've never even asked, perhaps it's just obvious that I'm too short to reach!

I've never understood why so many people hate Southwest. The one and only time I flew a "regular" airline (American, I think), my scooter wasn't there after we landed and I had to ask two flight attendants before finding someone who even remembered I'd boarded with a scooter. Then I waited 15 minutes on the plane before they found it and brought it to the terminal, where I had to explain I couldn't walk up the boarding ramp carrying my backpack, purse, coat, and cane, and that I needed them to bring the scooter to me. The whole time I had the distinct impression I was inconveniencing everyone. For this privilege I paid several hundred dollars more than the same ticket on Southwest. Never again.

I think some don't like that there are no assigned seats.

Other than that, I hate SW because they don't fly into my local airport!

 

[icouldlivethere]

I'm glad to hear that some of you have had good experiences flying Southwest with your personal scooters. SW is going to start flying out of our local airport in August and we plan on flying SW for the first time in October.

We usually fly with Delta and I've always had good luck with flying Delta with my ECV. I've always just driven my ECV to the gate requested a gate check tag and then early boarded. I take my ECV right up to the door of the plane before boarding and then I wait on the plane when we land for them to bring my ECV back to me. Very easy.

Is the procedure the same for SW? Is there anything I need do know about taking my ECV on a SW flight? Do I have to let them know ahead of time that I'll be flying with my scooter or fill out any paperwork?

 

[stitchlovestink]

I'm glad to hear that some of you have had good experiences flying Southwest with your personal scooters. SW is going to start flying out of our local airport in August and we plan on flying SW for the first time in October.

We usually fly with Delta and I've always had good luck with flying Delta with my ECV. I've always just driven my ECV to the gate requested a gate check tag and then early boarded. I take my ECV right up to the door of the plane before boarding and then I wait on the plane when we land for them to bring my ECV back to me. Very easy.

Is the procedure the same for SW? Is there anything I need do know about taking my ECV on a SW flight? Do I have to let them know ahead of time that I'll be flying with my scooter or fill out any paperwork?

When I buy my SW ticket online, there is a place where you can click for disability needs...it will then ask you some questions mostly about the battery type I believe. I have forgotten to tell them once or twice that I was flying with it and it wasn't the end of the world, but it is better to let them know ahead of time so they can be prepared. Like for example this last time, there was a BAD back up at security and even though I allowed the recommended time, I still didn't get to my gate until after they had started boarding. But when I got there the gate agent said, "We've been expecting you. The flight attendants have saved a seat up front for you." they interrupted regular boarding to have me board because they need to prepare the ECV for flight. So by them knowing, they could be prepared. Normally, I am there way ahead of boarding but security was backed up horribly and I allowed a bit more than what is recommended! I had never had that happen.
Anyway, normally when I check my bags I do the first set of papers and then when I get to the gate, I get the gate claim paperwork. You can take it pretty much to the door of the plane. 'Normal' procedure is to take ECVs or personally owned wheelchairs first so they have the time needed to prepare & stow them, then the other wheelchair assists, then all other bluesleeve medical preboards. At least that is my experience on 30+ SW flights. You should also remove any removable parts like baskets (not necessarily arms) that could get damaged and take them on board w/ you. That is what I have always done after I was told the first time.
Good Luck!! I LOVE SW!!!

 

[JennyDrake]

I have had nothing but good experiences with SWA!!!

American is another story......

 

[IUTBAM]

My son is on the Austism spectrum, and we use a wheelchair for him when we travel. SW has always treated him like a KING...lucky for us, SW flies everywhere we like to travel. I love Southwest.

 

[cantwaittoseemickey]

How cool is that! We really like flying Southwest as well. We have had good experiences on both Southwest and Airtran with the exeption of last year when we were supposed to preboard but they had no one available to push our son in his wheelchair down to the plane.We ended up being last getting on the plane with no where to put our things. We didn't mind about the suitcases but the medical things needed to be near us. So they made room. Then the passengers even began helping make room. I thought that was so nice.