SWA rumor of new Accessibility boarding

[keishashadow]

The change was vaguely announced already as to ability to purchase assigned seats in SWA starting sometime TBD next year

In flight today to west coast. FA told me she was advised in a meeting that the 1st 8 rows will be for assigned seat purchase (46) seats

Interestingly, said plan is for accessible boarding to continue to board first. However, will be directed to back of plane & be last to disembark.

We shall see ?

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

The change was vaguely announced already as to ability to purchase assigned seats in SWA starting sometime TBD next year

In flight today to west coast. FA told me she was advised in a meeting that the 1st 6 rows will be for assigned seat purchase (46) seats

Interestingly, said plan is for accessible boarding to continue to board first. However, will be directed to back of plane & be last to disembark.

We shall see ?

Unless someone has to be transferred to a wheelchair to get on/off the plane itself (not just the jetbridge) it never made sense to me why they would be in the front. Seems ripe for abuse. Also presumably SW will have a record of who requested wheelchair accommodations onto the plane, and could keep track of how many of those people make “miraculous recoveries” mid-air.

If you need extra time to get ON the plane why should you slow down people getting OFF the plane as well?

Welcome move, IMO.

 

[jo-jo]

The only issue I see with having accessible boarding in the back, there may be some that may not be able to walk to the back of plane unaided. Between a cane and holding onto the seat backs, DH could manage but slow. He uses a rollator 98% of the time. Takes a short walk, under 10 ft with only cane.

 

[Marrila]

Reserving the first 8 rows is very reasonable. I would imagine that would be mostly business select passengers.
The need extra help/time passengers would then board to their assigned seats wherever they are.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

That does not make sense depending on what the disability is.

What would make way more sense is if every airline boarded back to front period. Then no one would be in the aisle trying to put their carry on in the overheard bin while others are trying to get past time to their seat.

 

[OurBigTrip]

That does not make sense depending on what the disability is.

What would make way more sense is if every airline boarded back to front period. Then no one would be in the aisle trying to put their carry on in the overheard bin while others are trying to get past time to their seat.

What doesn’t make sense about allowing the disabled to board first?

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

What doesn’t make sense about allowing the disabled to board first?

Having them go all the way to the back of the plane...
As a PP mentioned going all the way to the back would be difficult for some people with disabilities.

But I do like the idea of boarding the plane from back to from because then people are not in the way of others.

 

[OurBigTrip]

Having them go all the way to the back of the plane...
As a PP mentioned going all the way to the back would be difficult for some people with disabilities.

But I do like the idea of boarding the plane from back to from because then people are not in the way of others.

That’s why they board first, so they have all the time they need .

And I didn’t read it as they had to go to very back of the plane, rather they had to go past the first eight rows, which is perfectly reasonable.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Having them go all the way to the back of the plane...
As a PP mentioned going all the way to the back would be difficult for some people with disabilities.

But I do like the idea of boarding the plane from back to from because then people are not in the way of others.

It's no different that disabled having to pass 1st, business class, and economy plus rows before sitting in coach seats on regular airlines. I'm sure this rumor did not pick 8 rows out of the air - it's probably the minimum of what those rows are on other airlines....I wouldn't be surprised if Southwest went even further back in assigned seating to the mid-exit rows and then had open seating.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Interestingly, said plan is for accessible boarding to continue to board first. However, will be directed to back of plane & be last to disembark.

That’s why they board first, so they have all the time they need .

And I didn’t read it as they had to go to very back of the plane, rather they had to go past the first eight rows, which is perfectly reasonable.

To me what I quoted from OP sounds like BACK OF THE PLANE.

I'm disabled. I know SWA current preboard process. Just flew yesterday.

 

[OurBigTrip]

To me what I quoted from OP sounds like BACK OF THE PLANE.

I'm disabled. I know SWA current preboard process. Just flew yesterday.

Ok, so I have the same response…no reason a disabled person can’t go to the back of the plane, though I would be very surprised if that’s what SWA was forcing them to do.

I guess you think the first 8 rows should be open for disabled pre-boarding?

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Ok, so I have the same response…no reason a disabled person can’t go to the back of the plane, though I would be very surprised if that’s what SWA was forcing them to do.

I guess you think the first 8 rows should be open for disabled pre-boarding?

I was just pointing out that the OP did in fact say that they would go to the back.
And no I don't think they should be in the first 8 rows that's you attempting to put words in my mouth.
Seems you always have something to say when I give an opinion about accessibility and disabilities.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I was just pointing out that the OP did in fact say that they would go to the back.
And no I don't think they should be in the first 8 rows that's you attempting to put words in my mouth.
Seems you always have something to say when I give an opinion about accessibility and disabilities.

I respond to a lot of people - many I agree with, some I don’t.

 

[Barbday62]

My husband uses a wheel chair or rollator full time now. We generally fly with his foldable electric wheel chair. He would have more issues walking mid plane. I think if we flew we would just pay for a reserved seat then there wouldn’t be an issue.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Unless someone has to be transferred to a wheelchair to get on/off the plane itself (not just the jetbridge) it never made sense to me why they would be in the front. Seems ripe for abuse. Also presumably SW will have a record of who requested wheelchair accommodations onto the plane, and could keep track of how many of those people make “miraculous recoveries” mid-air.

If you need extra time to get ON the plane why should you slow down people getting OFF the plane as well?

Welcome move, IMO.

My child struggles to walk in small spaces like airline aisles. It's not a physical mobility issue nor is it anxiety or mental health related (can't explain without going into detail and we've been asked not to), and she is not a wheelchair user yet qualifies for and needs the accessible seating. when she only has a few rows to navigate through she isn't holding anyone up behind her. The further in the back of the plane she has to be, the more inaccessible it is for her.

ETA: we usually sit around row 7-9ish when we pre board. Close enough to the front for DD's multiple needs, so i don't have an issue with saying we would have to sit in row 9. I do take issue with sending her all the way to the back of the plane as a matter of policy as that does not meet her accessibility needs.

 

[Angel Ariel]

That’s why they board first, so they have all the time they need .

And I didn’t read it as they had to go to very back of the plane, rather they had to go past the first eight rows, which is perfectly reasonable.

That's not what the Op said though9

Interestingly, said plan is for accessible boarding to continue to board first. However, will be directed to back of plane & be last to disembark.

Row 9 isn't what anyone would consider the back of the plane

 

[OurBigTrip]

That's not what the Op said though9

Row 9 isn't what anyone would consider the back of the plane

As I’ve said twice now, I highly doubt that SWA would force the disabled to only sit at the back of the plane.

 

[SteveMouse]

The change was vaguely announced already as to ability to purchase assigned seats in SWA starting sometime TBD next year

In flight today to west coast. FA told me she was advised in a meeting that the 1st 8 rows will be for assigned seat purchase (46) seats

Interestingly, said plan is for accessible boarding to continue to board first. However, will be directed to back of plane & be last to disembark.

We shall see ?

Federal law requires the airline to assign a seat with additional legroom in the same class of service when an individual with a disability has an immobilized leg.


Both my legs are fused at the hip, although my left leg is not fused straight (which is a good thing, overall).

An aisle chair is useless for me. I cannot walk to the back of the plane. Getting to row 2 is a huge challenge.

 

[Angel Ariel]

As I’ve said twice now, I highly doubt that SWA would force the disabled to only sit at the back of the plane.

In the post I quoted you indicated that you didn't read the OP as saying they would be directed to the back of the plane. That is all I was responding to, as the OP was clear. I wasn't commenting on whether I believe the OP is correct.

I also doubt SW would require disabled people sit at the back of the plane - it would a bit too reminiscent of Montgomery Alabama and challenged immediately I would imagine.

 

[lanejudy]

I’m sure the OP simply intended to share what she was told. As for reliability… I guess flight attendants may be in the same category as WDW bus drivers.