new policy at southwest?

[KPeveler]

I flew SWA to orlando from providence and encountered something i have never had before on any airline. the people at the gate insisted that THEY must push me down the jetway even though i was in my personal chair and i always move myself. I refused, because i do not allow people i do not know to push me in my wheelchair. of the 4 times airport/airline personnel have pushed me, i have been hurt TWICE. they go down the jetway too fast, and my personal chair has smaller front wheels than the airline wheelchairs. they almost dumped me right out once, and another time they moved me before i was ready, and jammed my hand between the brake and wheel...

has anyone else had any experience with this? i will allow them to walk next to me, but NOT push me. its my personal chair, and no one gets to touch it without my permission...

also, i wonder what they do with wheelchairs without push handles??

 

[LauraVV]

I'd complain.

 

[mechurchlady]

Is it a new airport policy or a Southwest policy or some new fangled state or federal law? Contact Southwest and explain what happened and you need to know why you could not do it yourself as you do not like having your chair touched and are fearful of getting hurt when pushed around by strangers.

It could be misinformed employees, company policy, airport policy, or some new law. Best to ask them.

 

[mom_2a_sept_princess]

We flew less than a month ago and my daughter powered her chair down the jetway. I agree with you... NO ONE touchers my daughter's wheels without my permission, especially if she is in them.

Amy

 

[KPeveler]

We flew less than a month ago and my daughter powered her chair down the jetway. I agree with you... NO ONE touchers my daughter's wheels without my permission, especially if she is in them.

Amy

ok, me too - I think maybe it was just in providence... i am okay with people walking next to me, but not actually pushing me.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

This happened to us too. I can transfer out of the chair and I used theirs. I am heavy enough and dh asked if he could push me down the jetway and the gate agent said, no, I must do it and only one of you can follow. Ds stayed in his A boarding line etc. Coming back same thing, they insisted they had to push me until we got out of the jetway area. It didnt bother me too much and honestly I was just too sick to worry about it anyway. So I guess it is some kind of rule?

 

[SueM in MN]

It seems to be variable.
At times, we have been told that the airline personnel are required to push DD's wheelchair to or from the plane. At our next destination, on the same airline, they may not have that requirement.
It doesn't matter for us since DD is fastened in with a seatbelt and has her feet strapped in. It is kind of annoying that it isn't consistent though.