Southwest Question???

[Drizzo67]

Before I go sitting on the phone trying to reach Southwest Customer Service maybe someone here can answer a question for me?

Does Southwest allow walking canes on the plane? I had foot surgery recently and I am having some issues with inflammation and need the cane to steady myself when walking. Will they allow me to bring it in the plane or will they make me use a wheelchair? My podiatrist really wants me to keep walking on the foot, to use it....not pamper it. Does anyone know?

TIA for any info you can provide.

Dina Marie

 

[NotUrsula]

Yes, you can take the cane aboard, but it will normally have to be stored in the overhead during the flight. When you reach the gate, ask for a disability preboarding sleeve so that you can preboard and be sure to get an aisle seat.

 

[Naninnc]

I have seen walking canes on board and they must be stored in the overheads.

 

[keishashadow]

don't be surprised if you receive special attention @ security.

DS had to use a transport chair due to ortho problem, had to go into a special room for extensive search (DH was able to tag along ).

You might want to use a courtesy chair @ airport just to get to the plane, makes life a lot easier; especially if the terminal is busy & there's no available seats in waiting area, etc.

good luck

 

[SueM in MN]

don't be surprised if you receive special attention @ security.

DS had to use a transport chair due to ortho problem, had to go into a special room for extensive search (DH was able to tag along ).

You might want to use a courtesy chair @ airport just to get to the plane, makes life a lot easier; especially if the terminal is busy & there's no available seats in waiting area, etc.

good luck

If you are able to walk thru the screener without the cane, they will ask you to do that while the cane goes thru the X ray machine.

My DD can't walk at all, so she needs to bypass the screener in her wheelchair. She gets special screening every time we travel (it can be in a special room, but she has never gone anywhere except to the side). The special screening usually consists of the person patting her down and they do a few swabs of her shoes and/or parts of her wheelchair. It usually takes an extra 5 minutes or so. In Orlando, they actually have a little mirror on a stick so they can examine underneath the wheelchair.

Ordering a wheelchair is a good idea. Contact your airline.

 

[DVC-Don]

I need a cane sometimes due to arthritus in my knees. I put it through the scanner at the airport security and can use it to get on the plane. I put it in the overhead during the flight.