Southwest -- boarding with a broken ankle??

[TheMorgans]

My DDBFF (age 13) broke her ankle on Friday. We leave in 6 days... She is wearing a walking boot that looks like some type of space boot, but is very slow and no too graceful. My worry is that she will hold up the line and other passengers will not be patient with her.

I have not paid for the Early Bird, does she qualify for pre-boarding? If so is she the only one that can pre-board or will all 3 of us be allowed? Do I need to call Southwest to let them know that I am requesting pre-board? This will be her first time on a plane, so she is already nervous.

 

[kaytieeldr]

One person may advance-board with her to assist her; check with the Gate Agent to see if that can be your daughter or if it needs to be an adult.

But no, your entire party cannot preboard.

 

[SnootyBear]

Does SWA do preboarding? Ive never seen it, I usually travel with SWA and usually with 5 kids under 12. I always understood it to be no preboarding since there are no assigned seats.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Medical preboards, yes - but again, either just the person needing the extra time/assistance, or one companion.

 

[TheMorgans]

Do I need to notify SW in advance or can we do this at the gate?

 

[Debbie-TN]

You can just do it at the gate. Most of the time they give you a blue card to hold for pre-boarding. They have wheelchairs at the airports. You should use one of them so you can get around faster and she won't get so tired.

 

[backyardponder]

I've done it on SW with both my 92 year old father as well as myself when I had a broken wrist (try putting a bag in the overhead with only one paw!)

Very simple procedure...stop at the gate check in. They will give you a blue card. You board before the A's. They allow the person who needs to pre-board plus one companion.

One thing to remember...make sure you are at the gate before boarding begins, which, on SW is usually 20 - 25 minutes before the published flight time.

 

[bavaria]

I had a broken wrist (try putting a bag in the overhead with only one paw!)
.

I do that several times a week all throughout the year. But I also carry international size carry on and don't use an American sized rollaboard.

 

[TheMorgans]

I am not sure the two girls can manage to place their carry-ons in the overhead bin. They are not very tall - right at 5' and very petite. Is there an issue with my DD (13) boarding alone with her boarding pass if the BFF and I will already be on the plane? Will anyone be burnt at the stake if we save a middle seat for the one left waiting in line?

I also worry about leaving her in the boarding line alone if I pre-board. She is a mature child and has flown numerous times without her parents, but she always had older siblings with her. I know she could do it, but she is still my daughter and I worry about leaving her alone. I sound like one of those crazy over-protective mothers now!!!

 

[shellybaxter]

When I pre boarded at Southwest both Dh and niece were allowed to join me - both coming and going

 

[Gary M]

Does SWA do preboarding? Ive never seen it, I usually travel with SWA and usually with 5 kids under 12. I always understood it to be no preboarding since there are no assigned seats.

When SWA was really a cattle call boarding process, they called them miracle flights. Some people would preboard in wheelchairs or limping, but when the plane landed, these same people would be cured and run off the plane.

Before I get flamed, I said "some" people. My elderly mother preboarded and my wife did, when she had a broken foot.

 

[prncess674]

I am not sure the two girls can manage to place their carry-ons in the overhead bin. They are not very tall - right at 5' and very petite.

In this case, they should utilize the 2 free pieces of checked luggage that SWA offers. If you can't reach the overhead bin, bring along a small backpack style case that can be stored underneath the seat in front of you.

Hobbling around or riding in a wheelchair is already a PITA, no need to lug the kitchen sink sized rolling suitcase aboard the plane, especially since SWA allows you to check TWO pieces per person for FREE.

 

[bavaria]

I am not sure the two girls can manage to place their carry-ons in the overhead bin. They are not very tall - right at 5' and very petite. Is there an issue with my DD (13) boarding alone with her boarding pass if the BFF and I will already be on the plane? Will anyone be burnt at the stake if we save a middle seat for the one left waiting in line?

I also worry about leaving her in the boarding line alone if I pre-board. She is a mature child and has flown numerous times without her parents, but she always had older siblings with her. I know she could do it, but she is still my daughter and I worry about leaving her alone. I sound like one of those crazy over-protective mothers now!!!

And this is an excellent reminder for anyone who is going to utilize or who needs assistance that they really should consider reducing their carry on size. I do.

If someone has wheelchair assistance, the only way to bring their carry on is on their lap, so they have to hold all their stuff. With the larger carts which can take up to four or five passengers, the same holds true.

Anyone who has physical limitations, and who travels alone, or with children, really needs to think this through. There was a parent of a small child who wanted to preboard due to a shoulder injury here awhile back, and she got upset when I suggested not taking a rollaboard (or two) But I honestly don't know how she expected to handle it, plus a small child.

I'm not trying to be rude or nasty; I deal with this myself almost every single week of the year. I manage just fine, and I never rely on or expect anyone else to help.

Using any type of artificial aid is frustrating, sometimes painful, and a challenge when one has to also carry or pull or push something.

Seriously consider reducing the carry on for the entire party to a reasonable amount and don't ask the injured party to carry anything. It will make the whole experience easier for everyone.

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

If it is just you and the 2 13yo's SW should let you all pre-board together.

13 is a child and they are unlikely to ask your child to board alone so you can go with the injured girl.

Sending only the 2 girls to pre-board is impractical and I agree that I would not do it.

Before someone comes on to say 13yo's are capable of doing this alone, sure they could, but I highly doubt that SW will require it. We are talking about a party of 3 with an injured child...not a group of 10 with enough adults to watch the other children. (and yes- 13 is an adult in some cultures, but it is not an adult here, I would want to board with my children too, not board with one and leave the other alone in the terminal for 5-15 mins.)

OP- Just talk to the gate agent- they have always been very accomodating with their passengers.

 

[seashoreCM]

I am not sure the two girls can manage to place their carry-ons in the overhead bin. They are not very tall - right at 5' and very petite. Will anyone be burnt at the stake if we save a middle seat for the one left waiting in line? sad2:

Nobody in his right mind will try to burn you at the stake for saving a middle seat, but if he does, the he will feel being burned at the stake when you refuse to exchange either the aisle or window seat with him.

To think of how many children stood on the armrests or seat cushions to reach the overhead bin -- with or without shoes on -- yuck!

Another role of the person accompanying the injured or disabled person, to hold the latter's baggage. The 13yo standing in line separately should not do this because the FA will give her grief.

 

[TheMorgans]

Their carry-ons are small. They will each have a purse and a small backpack that will have some school/homework material and their laptop computers. They will not be loaded down like pack mules. My concern was that they might not be able to reach the overhead bins not that the bags weigh so much that they cannot lift them.

 

[shellybaxter]

Their carry-ons are small. They will each have a purse and a small backpack that will have some school/homework material and their laptop computers. They will not be loaded down like pack mules. My concern was that they might not be able to reach the overhead bins not that the bags weigh so much that they cannot lift them.

If they are just back pack the girls should be able to slide them under the seat in front of them. If you don't want to do that - they could just hold them in their seats until you board and you could put them up. From my experience I believe they will allow you all to pre-board