Southwest boarding with a disabled minor

[mumto2]

I will be traveling with my two children. DD15 has a wheelchair that we will be bringing with us. She can walk, but not long distances and not always well (stroke survivor). We would need to stow her chair on board (SWA site confirms we can do this) upon boarding.

We would require a blue sleeve for boarding. This allows for pre-boarding. The site says that I can per board with her to assist. I am assuming my DS9 would be able to board with us? Site doesn't address this issue, so I was wondering if anyone here had experience with this.

Obviously, I couldn't leave my DS alone at the gate, and I don't think my DD could manage without me, let alone the whole seating issue, as even with EBCI there could be a significant amount of time before DS and I could rejoin her, and she couldn't save the other two seats.

Thanks!

 

[stitchlovestink]

I will be traveling with my two children. DD15 has a wheelchair that we will be bringing with us. She can walk, but not long distances and not always well (stroke survivor). We would need to stow her chair on board (SWA site confirms we can do this) upon boarding.

We would require a blue sleeve for boarding. This allows for pre-boarding. The site says that I can per board with her to assist. I am assuming my DS9 would be able to board with us? Site doesn't address this issue, so I was wondering if anyone here had experience with this.

Obviously, I couldn't leave my DS alone at the gate, and I don't think my DD could manage without me, let alone the whole seating issue, as even with EBCI there could be a significant amount of time before DS and I could rejoin her, and she couldn't save the other two seats.

Thanks!

I cant officially speak for SW but when you get to the gate, I would explain your circumstances to the gate agent. I cannot imagine that they won't let your 9 y.o. board with you and your DD. If he or she does say 'no', I would politely and calmly ask to speak with a supervisor. I don't think you will have to go that route though. SW is usually very accommodating.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Don't worry! The three of you will be allowed to board together.

 

[dsneprincess]

I do not have experience with this, but I can NOT believe Southwest would deny this; they are always so ccomadating! I wouldn't worry, just be polite and smiling.

 

[goofy4tink]

It won't be an issue. You will all be able to preboard together.

 

[DebbieB]

I agree, you will be fine.

 

[MinnieForMe]

I can reassure you that you will board first and together. I am a mom in a wheelchair. Our family of five (husband and three children) have always boarded together. We fly Southwest almost exclusively because they are so accommodating. However, you will not be the first person off the plane. We usually wait and prefer to be the last off so as not to slow down/inconvenience other passengers while I get re-situated in my wheelchair.

 

[mumto2]

I can reassure you that you will board first and together. I am a mom in a wheelchair. Our family of five (husband and three children) have always boarded together. We fly Southwest almost exclusively because they are so accommodating. However, you will not be the first person off the plane. We usually wait and prefer to be the last off so as not to slow down/inconvenience other passengers while I get re-situated in my wheelchair.

Thanks! Does waiting to get off the plane create problems with connecting flights? We would have just under an hour to make our connection.

I really appreciate everyone's input! It has been a while since I flew with DD, and when I flew with DS, she stayed home, so I've never had both kids by myself.

 

[seashoreCM]

Thanks! Does waiting to get off the plane create problems with connecting flights? We would have just under an hour to make our connection..

Yes you can definitely have problems with connecting flights particularly if the first flight arrived late. However it will be scored as a schedule irregularity missed connection or a force majeure missed connection, never as passenger no show due to negligence, even if you did not run as fast as you or Dick Hoyt (q.v. using Google) could.

With your blue sleeve, you can get seats near the front for the first flight so it won't take so long maneuvering down the aisle.

If the first flight is late, then at least try to get the wheelchair and get DD re-situated and off the plane early in the disembarking process.

Want to try remaking your plane reservation with a longer connection time if that could be done without paying more?

 

[bookwormde]

Just again confirming that you will be able to board together. We are a family of 4 and it would not work for us to be split up also

Also talk with the flight crew about your connection, it is not uncommon for them to hold the balance of the passengers for a minute or 2 to allow you to deplane first, they will also call over so the other flight (assuming it is SW) to make sure they wait for you.

 

[MinnieForMe]

One of the reasons you will NOT get off first is because your wheelchair will be in the cargo section of the plane. If they have a place to store it in the cabin, it may be a different story but that has never happened to me. Anyone ever have their wheelchair stay in the cabin?

It takes a few minutes for the ramp agents to get it off the plane. We find if we leave the plane last, it is just arriving at the doorway of the plane for us.

How big is your child's wheelchair? I'm assuming he/she will have to transfer to the airline's wheelchair to board/depart the plane which also takes time.

One hour seems like it's cutting it close but they will call ahead if you ask. We did make an international connection last year with only 40 minutes in Philly and it was crazy!

Edited: Just reread your post, your daughter is in a similar situation to me. She will be wheeled to the doorway of the plane, walk on, and the ramp agents will take her wheelchair down to the cargo hold. It will be the last thing on and the first thing off but it still takes time for them to get it.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Would you let me know if they do allow you to stow the wheelchair in the cabin? Supposedly, they have room for one but I've never been given the option. I'd love to stow mine inside as last year, my 3k, custom manual was scratched quite a bit. Again, I don't know if this will change the order of departure.

 

[SteveMouse]

By regulation, they are supposed to accommodate at least one wheelchair in in-cabin stowage. It is unlikely they will volunteer the space, as it is often used for crew bags. Since the wheelchair often displaces the bags (to underneath the plane), the bags aren't immediately available on deplaning, and no one wants to be delayed .

Sometimes you have to ask firmly and cite the Air Carrier Access Act.

 

[MinnieForMe]

By regulation, they are supposed to accommodate at least one wheelchair in in-cabin stowage. It is unlikely they will volunteer the space, as it is often used for crew bags. Since the wheelchair often displaces the bags (to underneath the plane), the bags aren't immediately available on deplaning, and no one wants to be delayed .

Sometimes you have to ask firmly and cite the Air Carrier Access Act.

That's interesting because I did ask once and was told the only closet was full with crew storage. However, I'm not going to be the passenger to upset the crew. I will ask the next time and see what happens.

 

[jayhawk74]

On Southwest there is a space that is reserved for one wheelchair to be stored in the cabin and it is never used for crew bags. However it is in the aft galley area and that means that the wheelchair can't be brought forward until there are no more passengers standing in the aisle. That is why I have never seen that in cabin storage area used.

 

[mumto2]

Thanks everyone! I feel much better now and will go ahead and book on SW (more convenient airport and competitive fare). I will post on our experience. I am ok with a gatecheck (like they do with strollers) so long as it doesn't impact our connection. Since SW suggests these connections, that is what I will book, but I have checked and their are options if we dont make it (don't want to spend the night in a connection city).