SWA rumor of new Accessibility boarding

[Angel Ariel]

Does the law require medical pre-boarding, or is that merely a courtesy like family boarding? Because if it is not required, then couldn’t SW also move “pre-boarding” to later in the queue, which would also effectively devalue it vs other options?

FWIW some of the “children under 2” were taller than I am on my last United flight. By the time we got on probably 1/3 of the plane was already on board. To put that into perspective, I have enough status on United that we board before general boarding.

The Airline Passenger Bill of Rights summarizes the rights of passengers under the Air Carrier Access Act. #6 indicates that pre boarding must be made available.

https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disabilitybillofrights#The Right to Assistance on the Aircraft

The only exception is for airlines that have an open seating policy for passengers who need extra time. So ironically as it stands SW could move passengers who need extra time after A group, for ex. But if SW moves to assigned seating, then preboard before all passengers must be available.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

The Airline Passenger Bill of Rights summarizes the rights of passengers under the Air Carrier Access Act. #6 indicates that pre boarding must be made available.

https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/disabilitybillofrights#The Right to Assistance on the Aircraft

The only exception is for airlines that have an open seating policy. So ironically as it stands SW could move it after A group, for ex. But if SW moves to assigned seating, then preboard before all passengers must be available.

6. The Right to Assistance on the Aircraft.​

Airlines must allow a passenger with a disability who self-identifies at the gate as needing additional time or assistance to board, stow accessibility equipment, or be seated, the opportunity to board before all other passengers.

• Except, an airline with an open seating policy has been approved by DOT to accommodate extra-time passengers after an initial group of passengers have boarded, but early in the boarding process.

So presumably nothing is stopping SW from moving pre-boards to the same time as family boarding (between groups 1/2)?

 

[Angel Ariel]

6. The Right to Assistance on the Aircraft.​

Airlines must allow a passenger with a disability who self-identifies at the gate as needing additional time or assistance to board, stow accessibility equipment, or be seated, the opportunity to board before all other passengers.

• Except, an airline with an open seating policy has been approved by DOT to accommodate extra-time passengers after an initial group of passengers have boarded, but early in the boarding process.

So presumably nothing is stopping SW from moving pre-boards to the same time as family boarding (between groups 1/2)?

I was editing my post above as you quoted - see there

 

[Angel Ariel]

The exception also appears to be specific to passengers needing extra time - which is not the only reason to need pre board, so presumably the other reasons to need pre boarding would still need to board before all passengers.

 

[SueM in MN]

The exception also appears to be specific to passengers needing extra time - which is not the only reason to need pre board, so presumably the other reasons to need pre boarding would still need to board before all passengers.

We need to preboard with my youngest daughter for several reasons:

• she needs to either be carried on (if we can bring her wheelchair right to the door, not just to the gate) or she needs to use the aisle chair
• I need to remove the seat and back off her wheelchair and fold it. We ask to board first and have a minute or 2 to do this so I'm not in people's way
• I need to bring the wheelchair seat, back and pieces we remove at the gate onto the plane along with a bag that contains medical supplies we need on board.
• Guests with disabilities who preboard are guaranteed to be able to bring their medical devices/supplies onboard. If they don't preboard, there is no guarantee of space or space near their seat

 

[gottalovepluto]

Pun intended?

Think you are correct tho, would be bad publicity for them.

Conversely, think they need to address that aspect with as much care as they are giving the preassigned seat option

Definitely no pun intended, yikes. Sorry if anyone thought I was poking at them.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I think it’s stupid of SW to try a different form of free for all boarding. As along as anything “better” exists if you board first they are gonna have the same WC’s galore problem. They have the computer tech for assigned seats, assign them.

 

[Groot]

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 ?

I don’t see the accessible boarding seats being towards the back. In theory, yeah, for less chaos, but do the seats at the back have movable armrests? Is there enough room to get someone who has to use an aisle chair down and into their seat? And for someone with limited mobility and who uses a cane/crutches, would that be too far to walk?

 

[SteveMouse]

Totally. But if SW is trying to eliminate the incentive to pre-board just to secure a better seat/overhead space, then they need a way to make it so that pre-boarders can’t also get off quickly. So if you need mobility assistance then you have to wait for your wheelchair, but if you don’t, then you have to wait because there are 100 guests getting off before you.

“Just” require that their assistive device or carryon goes in the hold rather than the cabin overheads or closets. It’ll add 20-40 minutes onto their deplaning,

That’s the typical time I wait for my power wheelchair and rollator.

The delay also means I usually get to go on a hunt for my bags in baggage claim because SWA has usually pulled the bags off because they were “unclaimed” and put in the SW baggage office.

I am always worried about someone stealing my luggage from the carousel because we are late and can’t be there to take them immediately.

 

[Groot]

These days I wish that you need to have proof of your disability for things like this and DAS because at least then you would not get the abusers and those that do have a legitimate reason would be accommodated.
Like you need proof from your Dr to get a handicap sign for your car.

I wish this was the standard. Also, the company or whatever having a secret list of disabilities that AIN’T able to be accessed by the public so a faker could say “I have <insert name of disability>.” when they most certainly don’t.

 

[keishashadow]

not all that long ago, when requesting preboard at check in with SWA; they would ask if the person requesting the accommodation had a need for a specific seat. They never mentioned 'a disability' or asked for a diagnosis

Not sure that is still general procedure

Online know they still have the categories you can select to alert them

 

[elvispursley]

These days I wish that you need to have proof of your disability for things like this and DAS because at least then you would not get the abusers and those that do have a legitimate reason would be accommodated.
Like you need proof from your Dr to get a handicap sign for your car.

Except some “disabilities” are temporary. Example: I tore my meniscus (didn’t know it at the time) in Italy. I had multiple flights between Italy, spending a week in Seattle, and finally home to Hawaii. It wasn’t until I saw an orthopedic surgeon in Hawaii that I found out I seriously hurt my knee. Who would’ve given me the “note” saying I needed to preboard? And why should I have to pay to see an MD so I can get a note allowing me to me preboard (I doubt my insurance would pay for that).

Regardless, it’s irrelevant as I don’t fly SWA specifically due to their boarding process.

 

[Simba's Mom]

These days I wish that you need to have proof of your disability for things like this and DAS because at least then you would not get the abusers and those that do have a legitimate reason would be accommodated.
Like you need proof from your Dr to get a handicap sign for your car.

I wondered about that. My doctor had to sign my request for a Handicapped sign. I also think she had to sign my request for a request to be excused from jury duty due to a disability,
If Southwest has the disabled sitting in the rear and getting off last, they'll have to address another issue I've encountered. I've seen people getting off the airplane, seeing those nice, comfy wheelchairs sitting there and that long ramp, plunking themselves down-and the wheelchair attendant just turns the wheelchair around and heads up the ramp. Then those who've requested wheelchair assistance get off the plane and find a shortage of available wheelchairs because others who hadn't requested wheelchair assistance took their wheelchairs, and the attendants don't confront those people and tell them, "Get thee out of the wheelchair!" If I'm allowed to purchase a seat near the front, even though I'm in a wheelchair, I will. As someone else said, walking more than a few steps isn't a skill I have. So if I can't purchase a seat near the front, my Southwest days unfortunately might be soon behind me.

 

[eticketplease]

They have the computer tech for assigned seats, assign them.

Do they?

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I just wanted to say that on Friday flying out of MCO there were many pre boards as usual and at some point I think prior to family boarding the FA was asked to hold 2 full rows so 12 seats row 2 and 3. Then all the sudden after group B she was told the people had already boarded and she said ok well they didn't sit in those seats so she opened them back up and the final people came on board and sat and the FA said wow this was the fastest/easiest boarding I have ever done and it was oddly due to the request to hold those seats and then release them.

 

[eticketplease]

It always strikes me as funny when I get off the plane and only a fraction of the parties that needed more time and assistance to board are long gone without any assistance once the plane lands. You can usually tell who did it to get seats in the front together with it paying for early bird.

Not everything is physical.
You would not know DS is disabled by looks but once interactions begin you could tell.
Getting through TSA Pre Check is always an issue and when we came back into the country we had an issue as they had decided to close the Global Entry lines.
We buy anytime tickets for our entire group to get the anybird check in but we still take one parent to pre board with DS.
Dealing with Autism is not fun and we need extra time to get DS settled as best we can.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Not everything is physical.
You would not know DS is disabled by looks…

It’s the Great Southwest Miracle. A well know manifestation where upon landing 50-75% of all wc boarded people pop up and dash off the plane like they’re 20 something racers. Your DS is obviously not rushing off a plane on his own out into the airport suddenly fully capable of all things in life.

As long as liars continue taking WCs for early WN boarding, most of the rest of the plane is gonna keep smirking at the Great WN Miracle.

 

[Starwind]

SWA has stated they are moving to an assigned seating model and will have premium extra legroom seats for about 30% of their seats across the fleet. So they will be eliminating open seating entirely. See https://www.southwestairlinesinvest...vents/news-releases/2024/07-25-2024-110102603

 

[eticketplease]

SWA has stated they are moving to an assigned seating model and will have premium extra legroom seats for about 30% of their seats across the fleet. So they will be eliminating open seating entirely. See https://www.southwestairlinesinvest...vents/news-releases/2024/07-25-2024-110102603

Yes they announced that. This discussion is based on what will happen after the assigned seating model is implemented to those needing extra time to get settled on the plane based on what a SW FA told the OP.

 

[NightGuardianAngel]

Does the law require medical pre-boarding, or is that merely a courtesy like family boarding? Because if it is not required, then couldn’t SW also move “pre-boarding” to later in the queue, which would also effectively devalue it vs other options?

FWIW some of the “children under 2” were taller than I am on my last United flight. By the time we got on probably 1/3 of the plane was already on board. To put that into perspective, I have enough status on United that we board before general boarding.

I am not a lawyer, but the Air Carrier Access Act (The ADA does not apply to airlines) does require pre boarding for those who have a disability that requires it. I seriously doubt the Air Carrier Access Act requires that their entire family pre-board as well. If seats are not assigned, such as on Southwest Airlines, the person should be allowed to pick their own seat in the category that they paid for (passengers pre boarding are not allowed to be seated in an exit row).