Southwest preboard question (for elderly person with a disability)

[DizneeCM]

My mom is flying down to see my sister in NC tomorrow. Will Mom be allowed to preboard even if she doesn't have any real visible disability (she's not in a wheelchair). She is elderly and has Parkinson's disease. She just really needs to sit in an aisle seat because it is difficult for her to move into a middle or window seat, plus she needs to be able to stretch her legs out during the flight (If she sits still for too long, she "stiffens up" and can kind of "freeze" in place). I don't think she has to actually get up and walk around, but she needs the extra space to move her legs around while she sits. I guess it would be easier for her if she didn't have to try to walk too far back in the plane too. Thanks for your replies.

Also, I don't know if any indication of her disability was noted when the reservation was made (my sister made the flight arrangements)

 

[riu girl]

Call SWA with her confirmation # and confrim that it is listed on the ressie.
Once at the gate ask the attendant for a blue pre-board plastic card. This blue card will aloow her to pre-board line.

 

[DizneeCM]

Thanks RIU Girl. I e-mailed my sister and found out that Mom's Parkinson's disease is noted on the reservation, so I'll tell Mom to ask for the blue pre-board card at the gate.

 

[seashoreCM]

Is she traveling with someone else? If so and she does not succeed in getting an aisle seat, the other person can come over and help her. In the event she is unable to preboard after asking and also does not get an aisle seat, a flight attendant should be willing to help her get out to stretch her legs if needed.

 

[NotUrsula]

By law, the airline cannot ask for proof of the nature of a disability, or even ask about what kind of disability it is. If she asks to preboard on the basis that she needs extra boarding time due to a disability, she will be allowed to preboard. This will not be a problem.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Just keep in mind that preboarding and choosing an aisle seat is likely to mean needing to get up to allow others to sit . . . more likely in the front of the plane than in the rear.

 

[DizneeCM]

Thanks to everyone for your replies and suggestions. I discussed them with my mom and she feels more comfortable knowing what to expect. She is traveling by herself, so I guess she'll ask a flight attendant for help if necessary. (I didn't think about her having to get up to let someone else into the other seats - that will be awkward for her.)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Check out the plane layout on seatguru.com http://seatguru.com/airlines/Southwest_Airlines/Southwest_Airlines_Boeing_737-300.php
Apparently, Southwest is using only one configuration now (they used to have some planes with some seats facing backwards). Anyway, I know the description for row one says something about legroom being/feeling more restricted than in any other row - but I was in row one on another airline last week and found I could actually stretch my legs out all the way to the wall in front of me. Being short helps, of course

 

[disneyldwjr]

Check out the plane layout on seatguru.com http://seatguru.com/airlines/Southwest_Airlines/Southwest_Airlines_Boeing_737-300.php
Apparently, Southwest is using only one configuration now (they used to have some planes with some seats facing backwards). Anyway, I know the description for row one says something about legroom being/feeling more restricted than in any other row - but I was in row one on another airline last week and found I could actually stretch my legs out all the way to the wall in front of me. Being short helps, of course

Row one is an option, however, they do not have tray tables in that row and no under the seat storage.

 

[JandD Mom]

Just out of curiousity, What are the yellow preboard tickets for? I was once travelling with someone with a disability and she was given a yellow ticket.

Thanks!