Southwest Question

[cl1067]

We fly with Southwest for the first time on Monday. I have a question with the boarding. My grandmother who is 80 is traveling with us...she can walk although very slowly and not for great lengths, so we will be using a wheelchair in the airports. Will they allow for special seating for her?

My mom has this fear that people will be pushing her (my grandma) down to get seats...I personally think that's a bit dramatic, so I thought if mom new Grandma would be able to board at a different time it might help calm some nerves.

TIA!

 

[csaj]

All airlines have pre-boarding for special needs (small children, elderly who need assistance, ect.). No matter what type of boarding pass you have, A, B, or C, you will be allowed to pre-board and assist your grandmother. They may not allow your whole party to board at the same time, but I’m sure you could save at least the third seat in your row. They will also transfer your grandmother to a special chair for the plane. Her regular chair will either be checked with baggage at check in, then you will use the airport courtesy wheelchairs, or it will be checked at the gangway. I have flown with my father several times and have never had someone try to run him over to get a good seat.

 

[mcco5543]

Hello,

Wheelchair user here...(full time).

I fly exclusively SouthWest whenever possible because of their amazing boarding system and kindly treatment of me and my chair.


Since Southwest has no "reserved seats" if it is too hard for your loved one to get into an "aisle" wheelchair to board the plane, they might be able to wheel her down in her own chair and she could sit in very very first seat of the plane. That's what we did last time and it was no muss, no fuss, (and lots of leg room for my companion to boot!)

I absolutely can vouch for Southwests treatment of people with special needs and rest assured your loved one will have a lovely experience.

 

[backyardponder]

Just make sure you get to the airport in enough time to be at the gate when they do pre-boarding. With SW, this is normally about 20 minutes before departure time. Also, stop at the check-in desk by the gate to see if you need a special boarding pass for pre-boarding.

If you are making a connection, and if the connection is tight and you won't be there for pre-boarding, I'd suggest having your grandmother walk in front of you to prevent folks from pushing behind her. Of course, I've never seen anybody push and shove on airplanes except in 3rd world countries.

 

[ironz]

Also, either when you check in, or at the gate in advance of boarding....let them know you will need for her to pre-board, and they will give you a "blue sleeve" to be held with your boarding pass. I have only needed one once (due to a surgery) and got it at the gate. But I think they like to have an idea in advance of starting the pre-boarding how many people will be pre-boarding. (in other words, don't just initially express your needs when they call for pre-boarding)

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Hello,

Wheelchair user here...(full time).

I fly exclusively SouthWest whenever possible because of their amazing boarding system and kindly treatment of me and my chair.


Since Southwest has no "reserved seats" if it is too hard for your loved one to get into an "aisle" wheelchair to board the plane, they might be able to wheel her down in her own chair and she could sit in very very first seat of the plane. That's what we did last time and it was no muss, no fuss, (and lots of leg room for my companion to boot!)

I absolutely can vouch for Southwests treatment of people with special needs and rest assured your loved one will have a lovely experience.

I concur.

I was in a freak accident in June of 2008 and have been working on simply healing since then (knee surgery 2 weeks ago for example).

I also travel for work - and fly Southwest to most destinations.

The take very good care of me....but even before my accident, I have watched them treat handicapped fliers like waterford crystal. I have written a few letters to Southwest about it.

I remember I was flying out of BWI (and we have some pretty amazing hospitals in Baltimore). After my accident I was walking with crutches so I sat down next to a tired looking gentleman in a wheelchair.

The Southwest ramp agent did not know his story - but she treated him with so much compassion. He and his family were heading home - he was giving up on a special chemo offered by Johns Hopkins.

I remember how it touched my heart to watch him be wheeled away....she (southwest she) was so careful to keep him comfortable.

Now I have had 1 1/2 years of their care - they are great.

 

[DVC Grammy]

As others have noted, SWA is very "special needs" friendly.
After you get your grandmother her blue pre-boarding pass and go to your gate, you will see a specific "pre-boarding" area in which she (and whoever escorts her) should wait. The rest of your party will line up in whichever category your BPs say.............A, B, or C. I definitely suggests that you tell whoever is checking you in to do it at exactly the 24 hour/day before time. This way, if you all get "A"s, the rest of your party has a pretty good chance of being either near her, or not too far away.