SW question will I need medical letter?

[mudnuri]

My mom has an illness that will require her to preboard- she will need a wheelchair to get to the plane from the boarding area. Will she need a letter from her Doc stating that she can not walk to the plane?

To clarify- she can walk, however her balance is very poor, she's missing her middle ear on her right side, and has a cerebellum problem that makes it even worse. She cant walk in a group down a ramp to the plane, and can not stand/walk/stand/ walk, it causes her balance to be even worse.

I called and the lady said she could pre-board and it would not be a problem to get a wheelchair etc. and that they would have one at BWI for our connecting flight. but I wanted to make sure.

I understand that the rest of us can not preboard with her, but am hoping she'll get the front seats that face eachother..

Thanks!
Brandy

 

[disneyfor3]

We just flew SWA in September with my MIL. She has blocked veins in her legs as well as various other health problems including diabetes and can only walk very short distances and cannot stand for more than a few minutes at a time. After we got our boarding passes we proceeded to the gate; I had my MIL sit while I went up to the person manning the desk and explained my MIL's situation; I was not asked for any written medical proof. Both times I was given a blue preboarding sleeve for her and when they called for preboarding she was one of the first to get on the plane. We also preboarded with our DS3 but we waited until all the medical preboards including my MIL went on board since she needs time to walk slowly down the ramp (she refused a wheelchair although she did use a scooter at DW which we rented for the week from Walker Mobility); we still managed to all sit together. I thought SW was wonderful both times in handling the situation.

 

[mudnuri]

Thank you!

My mom is not happy about using a wheelchair, however she needs too.

Our DD's are too old to preboard, so she will have to go by herself...I think thats what she's most worried about.

Thanks again! I knew someone here would know!

Brandy

 

[poohbear7]

SWA will let one person preboard with your mother.

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to the SW Airlines page about travel for people with disabilities.
Airlines are not allowed to require any "proof" (like a doctor's letter) that says you need to preboard or have any special assistance.
Does she have her own wheelchair? If so, she can gate check it. If she doesn't have one, you might want to look into renting one from your home city and bring it with you. If you want to rent one in Orlando, you can follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board. The FAQs thread near the top of the board has info about wheelchairs and ecvs. There is also a link toward the top about airline travel.

 

[CarolA]

I understand that the rest of us can not preboard with her, but am hoping she'll get the front seats that face eachother..

Make alternate plans. SW is taking these seats out and the majority of planes no longer have them. Just normal rows.

 

[mudnuri]

Does she have her own wheelchair? If so, she can gate check it. If she doesn't have one, you might want to look into renting one from your home city and bring it with you. If you want to rent one in Orlando, you can follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board. The FAQs thread near the top of the board has info about wheelchairs and ecvs. There is also a link toward the top about airline travel.

LOL we're going to El Paso not WDW, though I wish we were!!! She's only using the wheel chair from the gate to the plane door. thats it..

SWA will let one person preboard with your mother

The lady said that but it's only me 2 DD's and her..I'm thinking of letting DD8 preboard with her, then they are sitting together, and I'll hope that DD7 and I can get in near her..

Make alternate plans. SW is taking these seats out and the majority of planes no longer have them. Just normal rows

no need to make different plans, just would be cool to sit facing eachother.

We've actually got 8 of us going on the flight from BDL to BWI, then the 4 of us get off, and the other 4 stay on for JAX. DH will more than likely want to sit with one of the DDs I may have him sit with both, and I'll sit with my mom..havent figured it out yet...kind of a good thing we dont have preassigned seats!

Brandy