Southwest works miracles!

[ottawamom]

Just got back from Orlando the other day. We had a mid-day flight to Albany. I have never seen so many wheelchair pre-boards in my life. There were 14 for our flight alone. These were followed by the under 5 pre-boards. I was beginning to wonder if we would get to sit together with A passes. We did. Back to the miracle. Somewhere on the flight home you would be amazed to see how many of these wheelchair pre-boards were able to walk off the plane in Albany and collect their own luggage all under their own steam. Southwest works miracles.

 

[skjuls]

Just got back from Orlando the other day. We had a mid-day flight to Albany. I have never seen so many wheelchair pre-boards in my life. There were 14 for our flight alone. These were followed by the under 5 pre-boards. I was beginning to wonder if we would get to sit together with A passes. We did. Back to the miracle. Somewhere on the flight home you would be amazed to see how many of these wheelchair pre-boards were able to walk off the plane in Albany and collect their own luggage all under their own steam. Southwest works miracles.

Yes, I have seen a wheelchair person pre-board and then walk off the plane when we arrive and get their own luggage. And of course, they had a person at the gate waiting with a wheelchair for them (airport person with the wheelchair). Makes me sigh!

 

[motofox4]

haha, it certainly is amazing how they need a wheelchair before boarding but then somehow the flight miraculously makes them able to walk perfectly normal again!! this past week when we flew, it was our first time flying SW and both my fiancee and i said we've never in our lives seen SO many people needing a wheelchair. It was RIDICULOUS. It's amazing that people do the things they do and get away with it only to get their choice of seats. It is cheapest to fly SW, however, just because of the things these supposed handicapped people do to pre-board, it may just sway me away from flying with them again.

 

[Starr W.]

Just got back from Orlando the other day. We had a mid-day flight to Albany. I have never seen so many wheelchair pre-boards in my life. There were 14 for our flight alone. These were followed by the under 5 pre-boards. I was beginning to wonder if we would get to sit together with A passes. We did. Back to the miracle. Somewhere on the flight home you would be amazed to see how many of these wheelchair pre-boards were able to walk off the plane in Albany and collect their own luggage all under their own steam. Southwest works miracles.

I might just take SWA to see these miracles myself.

 

[BillSears]

Well it would be nice if it really worked but I doubt I'll be walking off the plane we we land in Orlando. People do cheat the system but not all preboarders with wheelchairs are cheaters.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, I have seen a wheelchair person pre-board and then walk off the plane when we arrive and get their own luggage. And of course, they had a person at the gate waiting with a wheelchair for them (airport person with the wheelchair). Makes me sigh!

This may not be exactly the miracle ottawamom means. For example, I can walk short distances - onto and off the plane, and when getting off the plane yes, I get my own (carry-on) luggage. But at most airports, I do need a wheelchair from the gate/plane to luggage claim and/or transportation. Then there are people like the poster above for whom the "Southwest Miracle" will never work. And then, yes, there are the passengers who miraculously regain their ability to walk long distances sometime during the flight. Maybe it's the healing effect of the thin air at 30,000 feet

 

[kathyfm1]

Just a comment on Southwest. My dad flies SW specifically because of their treatment of the handicapped. I will say that other airlines have tried to place him in the front of the plane when available, but SW is consistent.

I fly SW whenever I have the kids just because of the pre-board for small children.

 

[bumbershoot]

...however, just because of the things these supposed handicapped people do to pre-board, it may just sway me away from flying with them again.

It's better that people who truly need wheelchairs get the help they need without being questioned, thereby letting a few sneaks on, than having people who truly need the assistance be grilled, just to catch some sneaks.

Although I was in an apartment situation with a neighbor abusing the system the Americans with Disabilities Act set up, and we moved rather than deal with the animals she said she needed as assistance animals (that she left ALL day to go to work), I would NEVER want that apartments be allowed to grill future tenants to make absolutely sure they NEED the things they say they need.

And I wouldn't want SW to grill anyone in a wheelchair, to make sure they need it.

 

[mrsstats]

To get a handicap parking sticker, you need proof of your handicap. Why not have to have proof for pre boarding? I have no problem with legitimate people pre boarding as I had a mother who had to use a wheel chair. And it is so sad that people who don't need to pre board just use the system.

 

[tink fan]

My daughter will be five when we fly on SW. Would we qualify for early boarding?

 

[ttfn3]

I saw the same "miracle" on Space Mountain our last trip. I was pretty amazed at the lengths people go through to avoid waiting in lines

 

[DVC Grammy]

From our observation when flying SW, I'd say there are also some "miraculously" large 4-year-old children flying. (Yes, I know SWA is based in Texas, and "everything's bigger 'n Texas", but I didn't know it also holds true for the children who fly their airline! )

 

[disneyfaninaz]

My daughter will be five when we fly on SW. Would we qualify for early boarding?

Here it is directly from the source, Southwest's website:

Prior to general boarding, Customers with disabilities, unaccompanied children between the ages of five and 11, and adults traveling with a child under five years of age will preboard. Customers who choose to preboard cannot sit in an emergency exit seat.

We had to stop preboarding a few years ago with our daughter, but we found with an "A" boarding pass and getting to the gate early, we have never had a problem finding seats together.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

My daughter will be five when we fly on SW. Would we qualify for early boarding?

Only under 5. My younger dh is 6 and we've been using SWA since he was 4 and could preboard. I don't really see the need. They should lower the age to 3 and under, IMHO. As long as you get A passes, you'll surely sit together and we've even had B passes (Niagara Falls though, not MCO) and still sat together (4 of us) no problem.

 

[keishashadow]

To get a handicap parking sticker, you need proof of your handicap. Why not have to have proof for pre boarding? I have no problem with legitimate people pre boarding as I had a mother who had to use a wheel chair. And it is so sad that people who don't need to pre board just use the system.

I've often thought the same thing; would certainly help to deter the fakers

 

[DVC Grammy]

To get a handicap parking sticker, you need proof of your handicap. Why not have to have proof for pre boarding? I have no problem with legitimate people pre boarding as I had a mother who had to use a wheel chair. And it is so sad that people who don't need to pre board just use the system.

But what would be required, a letter from a doctor? Another handicap placard? Couldn't this be considered an insult to be targeted for proof?

I've never flown SW in the company of a small child, so I don't know if a birth certificate must be produced. I've flown among families w/kids and I've never witnessed anyone questioning the ages of the pre-boarders. Do they?

 

[mrsstats]

But what would be required, a letter from a doctor? Another handicap placard? Couldn't this be considered an insult to be targeted for proof?

I've never flown SW in the company of a small child, so I don't know if a birth certificate must be produced. I've flown among families w/kids and I've never witnessed anyone questioning the ages of the pre-boarders. Do they?

Why would it be an insult? It's not an insult to have a handicap placard for your car. And I think they should be required to show proof of age. Why not? You have to show proof of age for alot of things. Why should this be different?

 

[SonicGuy]

We have two children in wheelchairs and preboarding is a necessity for our family - especially since our three year old uses a wheelchair AND a car-seat, which we have to somehow maneuver onto the plane and get strapped in. It would be VERY easy for us to go around angry all the time by all of the things we see people take advantage of - use of handicapped parking by people who hop out their cars and jog into the store, preboarding planes as mentioned, etc. Rather than expending our energy being angry we just take the attitude that "God will get 'em". In some way, some how, we know that they will get theirs. We find a great deal of strength from the MAJORITY of people we encounter, much like those on this board, that go out of their way to help us when necessary. That more than counter balances the aforementioned idiots!

 

[Momto3chicks]

I am hoping to fly SW in November...now I am in a wheelchair...really..I am a paraplegic so I will be pre-boarded...I have 3 children 7, 6, and 3 oh and a hubby..they will be pre-boarded with me right????

Kelley

 

[gw_lit]

I am hoping to fly SW in November...now I am in a wheelchair...really..I am a paraplegic so I will be pre-boarded...I have 3 children 7, 6, and 3 oh and a hubby..they will be pre-boarded with me right????

Kelley

Yes.