Southwest Airlines Help... ASAP!!!

[AKL_Megs]

I need Southwest Airlines info ASAP before my parents drive me CRAZY!!!

(Thought I would get quicker help here than on the Transportation board... but move if need be.)

I've never flown SWA, so I know nothing about their policies, but I do know they board differently than any other airline, and don't allow you to pay to choose your seats.

My parents are leaving for Denver tomorrow. My dad has some major knee issues and can't bend his right leg all of the way, so it stays fully extended at all times when he sits. He wears a brace and uses a cane. Basically, he needs a bulkhead at best, so he can keep it extended, or an aisle seat, so he can get up and stretch if he can't keep it extended.

My dad is worried that they won't let him preboard because he's not in a wheelchair/visable disabled (even though, hello dad, you have a brace and a cane! ). They won't stop calling me all concerned.

Will they let my dad preboard, and will they let my mom go down with him? (She's worried about being alone somewhere else... )

HELP!!!

 

[foolishmortal]

they should let him on. have him call southwest ahead of time and get it noted before he checks in.


p.s. you can pay a small fee to get front of line access too with southwest

 

[momrek06]

I need Southwest Airlines info ASAP before my parents drive me CRAZY!!!

(Thought I would get quicker help here than on the Transportation board... but move if need be.)

I've never flown SWA, so I know nothing about their policies, but I do know they board differently than any other airline, and don't allow you to pay to choose your seats.

My parents are leaving for Denver tomorrow. My dad has some major knee issues and can't bend his right leg all of the way, so it stays fully extended at all times when he sits. He wears a brace and uses a cane. Basically, he needs a bulkhead at best, so he can keep it extended, or an aisle seat, so he can get up and stretch if he can't keep it extended.

My dad is worried that they won't let him preboard because he's not in a wheelchair/visable disabled (even though, hello dad, you have a brace and a cane! ). They won't stop calling me all concerned.

Will they let my dad preboard, and will they let my mom go down with him? (She's worried about being alone somewhere else... )

HELP!!!

YES!!

Call them (SWA) today, now, and tell them you want to secure a BLUE SLEEVE for Dad!!! When you get to Denver Airport tomorrow, it will be noted on their reservation. Takes seconds to arrange that ... SWA will have a wheelchair for him and will actually assist your parents right through security with Dad in the w/c.

They will take them right to the gate and see that they have the right seat for them. Mom will be able to board with Dad. Give them a few ($5.00) dollars to tip the SWA official that is escorting Dad to the gate.

EASY. I do it all the time for my elderly parents. No need to pay for special seating.

 

[Dax]

I need Southwest Airlines info ASAP before my parents drive me CRAZY!!!

(Thought I would get quicker help here than on the Transportation board... but move if need be.)

I've never flown SWA, so I know nothing about their policies, but I do know they board differently than any other airline, and don't allow you to pay to choose your seats.

My parents are leaving for Denver tomorrow. My dad has some major knee issues and can't bend his right leg all of the way, so it stays fully extended at all times when he sits. He wears a brace and uses a cane. Basically, he needs a bulkhead at best, so he can keep it extended, or an aisle seat, so he can get up and stretch if he can't keep it extended.

My dad is worried that they won't let him preboard because he's not in a wheelchair/visable disabled (even though, hello dad, you have a brace and a cane! ). They won't stop calling me all concerned.

Will they let my dad preboard, and will they let my mom go down with him? (She's worried about being alone somewhere else... )

HELP!!!

I would explain everything to the ticket and/or gate agents when they get to the airport. They will not seat them seperate. I don't think there would be a problem with the pre-boarding.

I would make sure they get A seating though, just in case, this way a better chance of getting a good seat.

 

[Mickey's Minion]

I need Southwest Airlines info ASAP before my parents drive me CRAZY!!!

(Thought I would get quicker help here than on the Transportation board... but move if need be.)

I've never flown SWA, so I know nothing about their policies, but I do know they board differently than any other airline, and don't allow you to pay to choose your seats.

My parents are leaving for Denver tomorrow. My dad has some major knee issues and can't bend his right leg all of the way, so it stays fully extended at all times when he sits. He wears a brace and uses a cane. Basically, he needs a bulkhead at best, so he can keep it extended, or an aisle seat, so he can get up and stretch if he can't keep it extended.

My dad is worried that they won't let him preboard because he's not in a wheelchair/visable disabled (even though, hello dad, you have a brace and a cane! ). They won't stop calling me all concerned.

Will they let my dad preboard, and will they let my mom go down with him? (She's worried about being alone somewhere else... )

HELP!!!

You should definitely also post this on the transportation board as there are some very knowledgeable travelers over there.

1) Did they pay the extra $10 for the early boarding passes?
2) If not - make sure you log into Southwest at exactly the 24 hour mark to check-in get their boarding passes.

It has been awhile since I have flown Southwest, but from what you describe, they should let him preboard. However, if he has A or early B boarding, getting an aisle seat shouldn't be a problem and they won't have to worry on whether he is allowed to preboard or not.

Also, the suggestion of pre-ordering the wheelchair. is perfect. My mother travels a lot, but because she is getting up there in years, all the walking takes a toll on her. I am always worried she won't the gate on time or will get confused on which gate she needs to be at after security. I always order one for her to be waiting at the curb when I drop her off for curbside check-in. The attendant takes her through security, up to the gate, and because of the wheelchair, always preboards.

 

[claudia]

this may help: (from the site)

Priority preboarding is available for those who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability and/or need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device. If a Customer has a disability and requires preboarding, the Customer should request a blue preboarding sleeve from our Customer Service Agent positioned at the departure gate. The sleeve serves as notification to our Operations (Boarding) Agent that the Customer has a need to preboard. It’s important to keep in mind that Customers who preboard may not occupy an emergency exit seat. Customers with disabilities who have any other special needs related to boarding should speak with our Customer Service Agent at the departure gate.

 

[momrek06]

OP, yes, you can go online NOW and print off their boarding passes (if their flight is less than 24 hours) to have with them EVEN THOUGH they will be issued a BLUE SLEEVE. They NEED the boarding passes to board but it does not matter what the seat assignments are on the boarding passes, with a BLUE SLEEVE, you are leaving this for SWA to escort your parents to the seats they need.

You will need the SWA confirmation # and their last name to secure the boarding passes online.

 

[Pumbaa_]

it is really a simple process. My parents do this when they fly

DOn't pay extra for earlybird at SWA since htey will be pre-boarind with medical preboards before anyone else boards

Tell Dad not to worry, SWA will take great care of him! (He will not be able to sit in the emergency exit rows though)

 

[momrek06]

this may help: (from the site)

Priority preboarding is available for those who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability and/or need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device. If a Customer has a disability and requires preboarding, the Customer should request a blue preboarding sleeve from our Customer Service Agent positioned at the departure gate. The sleeve serves as notification to our Operations (Boarding) Agent that the Customer has a need to preboard. It’s important to keep in mind that Customers who preboard may not occupy an emergency exit seat. Customers with disabilities who have any other special needs related to boarding should speak with our Customer Service Agent at the departure gate.

Thanks for posting that, claudia, that is exactly what I stated in my post. OP needs to call now and order the BLUE SLEEVE.

 

[NotUrsula]

They will NOT have to pay for EBCI to get on the plane earlier. What they need to do is approach the gate as soon as they arrive and ask for a blue sleeve disability preboard, and also explain that your Dad needs a front bulkhead seat if at all possible.

The only seats on the aircraft that will properly accomodate that particular disability are the front bulkheads and the exit row, but he cannot sit in the exit row because he is disabled. (Catch-22 I know, but SWA is very strict in enforcing the expectation that persons seated in the exit row must be in good health in case they need to help other passengers evacuate from the aircraft.)

You Mom will be able to board with him, but if there are other disabled passengers who need the front bulkhead she might not get a seat in that row. In that case she can sit in the row directly behind him.

 

[AKL_Megs]

YES!!

Call them (SWA) today, now, and tell them you want to secure a BLUE SLEEVE for Dad!!! When you get to Denver Airport tomorrow, it will be noted on their reservation. Takes seconds to arrange that ... SWA will have a wheelchair for him and will actually assist your parents right through security with Dad in the w/c.

They will take them right to the gate and see that they have the right seat for them. Mom will be able to board with Dad. Give them a few ($5.00) dollars to tip the SWA official that is escorting Dad to the gate.

EASY. I do it all the time for my elderly parents. No need to pay for special seating.

He refuses to use a wheelchair. He just likes to take his time with his cane. It's almost easier for him than the getting in and out of a wheelchair.

I would explain everything to the ticket and/or gate agents when they get to the airport. They will not seat them seperate.

Good!

this may help: (from the site)

Priority preboarding is available for those who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability and/or need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device. If a Customer has a disability and requires preboarding, the Customer should request a blue preboarding sleeve from our Customer Service Agent positioned at the departure gate. The sleeve serves as notification to our Operations (Boarding) Agent that the Customer has a need to preboard. It’s important to keep in mind that Customers who preboard may not occupy an emergency exit seat. Customers with disabilities who have any other special needs related to boarding should speak with our Customer Service Agent at the departure gate.

Thanks for posting this!!!

it is really a simple process. My parents do this when they fly

DOn't pay extra for earlybird at SWA since htey will be pre-boarind with medical preboards before anyone else boards

Tell Dad not to worry, SWA will take great care of him! (He will not be able to sit in the emergency exit rows though)

Sounds great, thanks!

 

[AKL_Megs]

They will NOT have to pay for EBCI to get on the plane earlier. What they need to do is approach the gate as soon as they arrive and ask for a blue sleeve disability preboard, and also explain that your Dad needs a front bulkhead seat if at all possible.

The only seats on the aircraft that will properly accomodate that particular disability are the front bulkheads and the exit row, but he cannot sit in the exit row because he is disabled. (Catch-22 I know, but SWA is very strict in enforcing the expectation that persons seated in the exit row must be in good health in case they need to help other passengers evacuate from the aircraft.)

You Mom will be able to board with him, but if there are other disabled passengers who need the front bulkhead she might not get a seat in that row. In that case she can sit in the row directly behind him.

LOL, I am literally getting ready to call my mom and read her this AS WE SPEAK, along with the others! Thank you, everyone!

 

[momrek06]

LOL, I am literally getting ready to call my mom and read her this AS WE SPEAK, along with the others! Thank you, everyone!

OP, call today for the BLUE SLEEVE, do not wait until they get to SWA tomorrow. It will be so much easier for Dad if that is all secured. When they show their boarding passes, IT WILL BE NOTED that Dad has a disability and will make any and all arrangements for them as they start their journey. There may be others securing Blue Sleeves for this flight as well. SWA just likes to know this info in advance. What they actually do is place all M&D's pertinent info into this large BLUE PLASTIC SLEEVE/envelope ... which M&D then take to the gate. Very easy. But order it today.

ALSO, they need to print off their boarding passes TODAY as well. If they do not have a PRINTER, still YOU can order it from YOUR home and when they get to the gate, SWA has kiosks that you then print the actual boarding pass from!