Southwest Preboard Policy

[Disneyhappy]

On my flight out of Tampa on Saturday there was only one person that required a wheeelchair to get off the plane out of the 11 who needed to preboard with a wheelchair. I probably wouldn't have been motivated to post if I had not seen three of the wheelchair preboard passengers heaving heavy pieces of luggage off of the baggage belt effortlessly in our arrival airport. It is obvious people are taking advantage of SW policy. I understand that people are people and there are always going to be folks who exploit policies. What I don't understand is why doesn't SW require wheelchair preboarders to wait until all general boarders are off the plane. I'm sure it would eliminate the abuse. Is there a reason SW can't require those passengers to debark last?

I am not complaining about SW. I fly SW frequently. I love the flexibility of SW. I am not bothered by the no seat assignment policy. I will continue to fly SW. I'm just curious.

 

[FCDub]

I think it's clear what direction this thread will likely take.

OP, I mean this with no disrespect, but I find I'm happier in life when I don't worry about what other people are doing.

 

[SteveMouse]

I have a rather significant disability that severely limits my ability to walk and put my arms above my head. I used to be able (I no longer am), even with those limitations, to be able to lift my bag off the carousel. (My posture probably gives away that I have severe problems). Just judging me by my floor-to-cart lifting ability would not reflect my other limitations.

Perhaps more importantly. using the lavatory on board a plane is challenging for me (and likely for others with challenges). Sometimes, nature calls, and an extra delay really isn't needed.

From a fairness perspective, like most people. I want to get off the plane and either onwards on trip or home. I already Sally much slower than someone without a challenge. In your scenario, I would potentially be even further delayed (personally, I am usually delayed, often by 20 minutes or more because I have a mobility device under the plane and it takes that long for staff to bring it up).

 

[wilkeliza]

I see it a lot and just don't let it bother me. The seats I want on Southwest you are not allowed to sit in if you preboard (doesn't matter why you preboard if you preboard you can not sit in the exit rows) and more and more I have seen them 100% enforce the one companion only so at the end of the day it doesn't really affect me.

Some airlines are cracking down and making sure you have to come talk to them first you can't just show up and enter when they call for preboarding and I think actually having to say why or what type of assistance they need has weeded out a lot of those just taking advantage.

If Southwest or any airline sees it becoming a massive problem (I only see it on certain routes not all) they will just start charging for carry on bags. Heck based on how slow people are getting off planes now we could see airlines be force to deal with the carry on situation which would then deal with the other situation.

 

[Disneyhappy]

No disrespecct. If you knew me you would know that I'm not all that worried about what other people do. I'm the one that usually never notices. This situation was impossible not to notice. Some passengers became very verbal at baggage claim. It was becoming uncomfortable.I am not judging anyone and the intention of this post is not to get into the ethics of people. My simple question is there a reason SW can't require preboarders to wait until general boarders debark. I'm sure there is a logical reason.

I think it's clear what direction this thread will likely take.

OP, I mean this with no disrespect, but I find I'm happier in life when I don't worry about what other people are doing.

 

[Disneyhappy]

I have a rather significant disability that severely limits my ability to walk and put my arms above my head. I used to be able (I no longer am), even with those limitations, to be able to lift my bag off the carousel. (My posture probably gives away that I have severe problems). Just judging me by my floor-to-cart lifting ability would not reflect my other limitations.

Perhaps more importantly. using the lavatory on board a plane is challenging for me (and likely for others with challenges). Sometimes, nature calls, and an extra delay really isn't needed.

From a fairness perspective, like most people. I want to get off the plane and either onwards on trip or home. I already Sally much slower than someone without a challenge. In your scenario, I would potentially be even further delayed (personally, I am usually delayed, often by 20 minutes or more because I have a mobility device under the plane and it takes that long for staff to bring it up).

Good point - Thanks for sharing.

 

[wilkeliza]

No disrespecct. If you knew me you would know that I'm not all that worried about what other people do. I'm the one that usually never notices. This situation was impossible not to notice. Some passengers became very verbal at baggage claim. It was becoming uncomfortable.I am not judging anyone and the intention of this post is not to get into the ethics of people. My simple question is there a reason SW can't require preboarders to wait until general boarders debark. I'm sure there is a logical reason.

They can really only ask nothing would allow them to force and most FAs are so busy cleaning they won't realize if say seat 7C that was a pre-board just got up and got off.

 

[Gracie09]

ahhh miracle flights. They are so fun

 

[FCDub]

A real answer: I don't think saying "you have to deplane last because you have X disability" is the best way to run a business, much less open yourself up to discrimination lawsuits.

 

[focusondisney]

They can really only ask nothing would allow them to force and most FAs are so busy cleaning they won't realize if say seat 7C that was a pre-board just got up and got off.

Agree. What can they do, forcibly block someone from entering the aisle? I really don't think they can do anything much about it.

Also, the Orlando airport is huge. Our home airport is really small in comparison. I have relatives who could get to the gate fine here, but could never make it to the gate without a wheelchair in Orlando.

That said, I do roll my eyes too sometimes.

 

[wilkeliza]

Agree. What can they do, forcibly block someone from entering the aisle? I really don't think they can do anything much about it.

Also, the Orlando airport is huge. Our home airport is really small in comparison. I have relatives who could get to the gate fine here, but could never make it to the gate without a wheelchair in Orlando.

That said, I do roll my eyes too sometimes.

Getting to the gate I get for me it is the ones who just request the extra time in the idea they got themselves to the gate and then just wanted extra time so they aren't rushed but suddenly at the end they have no problem keeping up the pace even when the jetway is longer then the departure one.

At the end of the day I don't know their situation so maybe it is legit so like I said never bothers me but it is clearly a phenomenon enough that this thread is not the first time I've heard the term "miracle flight".

I also get a good chuckle out of the people who hear family boarding with children 2 or under and walk up with their cleaely 5 or 6 year old and say yeah he's 2. At that point what can FAs do.

 

[supersnoop]

taking advantage of SW policy

What policy? Seriously, the policy is that anyone who thinks they need extra time can get a preboard card. They don't have to use a wheelchair or have any sort of physical disability. The folks using a wheelchair either actually need it, or they're doing so unnecessarily.

 

[goofy4tink]

A real answer: I don't think saying "you have to deplane last because you have X disability" is the best way to run a business, much less open yourself up to discrimination lawsuits.

Here's my issue with this....if you need to preboard because it's going to take you longer to get on the plane, then it stands to reason that it's going to take you just as long to get off the plane.
My thoughts? If you need a wheelchair or cane, or whatever to get on the plane, you need it to get off. So, you need to wait until everyone is off the plane in order to facilitate that usage.
I had a SW flight where a bunch of people preboarded. I was in A17, so on the plane right after them. The funniest thing I've seen was the couple, sitting in the exit row, arguing with the FA. They were trying to convince her that they were perfectly capable of performing emergency exit duties. But....they had been part of the medical preboards! Man, they argued with her...she finally told them that if they didn't get up and move, out of the exit rows, she would call security and they would be 'helped' off the plane!!! They moved quite spritely at that point!! But, they ended up behind the wing by the time they did so.

 

[anonymousegirl]

At one point, I had back issues and could not quickly walk through the airport concourse to the flight, or the connecting flight. For those, I used the airport wheelchair service. Disembarking the plane, I was not in any hurry, so I did not need the wheelchair. One time that back-fired on me, and after a long international flight, I could barely walk at all. Then, I wished I had booked the chair for SFO.

 

[DaisyJ]

ahhh miracle flights. They are so fun

And unfortunately for me, most of them are to Florida.

 

[Pennstate6411]

Getting to the gate I get for me it is the ones who just request the extra time in the idea they got themselves to the gate and then just wanted extra time so they aren't rushed but suddenly at the end they have no problem keeping up the pace even when the jetway is longer then the departure one.

At the end of the day I don't know their situation so maybe it is legit so like I said never bothers me but it is clearly a phenomenon enough that this thread is not the first time I've heard the term "miracle flight".

I also get a good chuckle out of the people who hear family boarding with children 2 or under and walk up with their cleaely 5 or 6 year old and say yeah he's 2. At that point what can FAs do.

I don't fly often, but I thought family boarding was for children up to 6 years old.

 

[wilkeliza]

I don't fly often, but I thought family boarding was for children up to 6 years old.

It dependa on the airline but more and more I've heard Jetblue say 2 and under especially om flights to Orlando. When 50% of the plan has a kid 6 or under there is 0 need for family boarding.

 

[Kaytie]

My thoughts? If you need a wheelchair or cane, or whatever to get on the plane, you need it to get off. So, you need to wait until everyone is off the plane in order to facilitate that usage.

I'm not waiting for everyone else to embark before I hobble off the plane with my cane or crutches. And if I'm in the starboard bulkhead seats on jetBlue, I'm exiting the plane when the wheelchair porter arrives.

So, there!

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm not waiting for everyone else to embark before I hobble off the plane with my cane or crutches. And if I'm in the starboard bulkhead seats on jetBlue, I'm exiting the plane when the wheelchair porter arrives.

So, there!

Well fine then...

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

No disrespecct. If you knew me you would know that I'm not all that worried about what other people do. I'm the one that usually never notices. This situation was impossible not to notice. Some passengers became very verbal at baggage claim. It was becoming uncomfortable.I am not judging anyone and the intention of this post is not to get into the ethics of people. My simple question is there a reason SW can't require preboarders to wait until general boarders debark. I'm sure there is a logical reason.

Sorry, but "I'm not all worried about other people" would NOT have resulted in your original post.

My mother is one of these. She does not take a wheelchair at her home airport "because it's small" LOL! It's just her call.

As for your idea, let's see you are now seated in the window seat with the preboarder in the aisle. Are you happily going to wait? LOL!