Abusing wheelchair access in airports

[Anonymous]

I have seen many able bodied older adults requesting and using wheelchairs to get gates from check-in. Mostly they seem to use this as a way to get through security and also not having to read or follow directions. I think the airports and airlines should start charging a fee to use this unless they are really in need due to actual physical need. What do you guys think?

[Anonymous]

You don’t know their ability status. You have no clue

[Anonymous]

Are you the doctor for these people? I can not figure out how you know the medical needs of someone you saw at the airport?

There are plenty of conditions, many of them more common in the elderly, that can make it hard for someone to navigate an airport on foot, even if they can walk short distances.

[Anonymous]

I have seen this also in international flights where the older people with limited english knowledge use wheelchairs as a way to get through. Sometimes there is even a backup of wheelchairs in these flights.

[Anonymous]

Southwest is the worst for this as people use it as a way to preboard.

Similarly- I saw a kid who was a star in a volleyball tournament walk through the airport - and put an ace bandage on before the gate to request early boarding with their family.

[Anonymous]

How is this even remotely something that you should worry about?

[Anonymous]

Are you absolutely certain they have no physical need? You can't always see it. I used to be able to walk through the airport OR stand in line. I couldn't do both.

You can't always see what is going on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have seen this also in international flights where the older people with limited english knowledge use wheelchairs as a way to get through. Sometimes there is even a backup of wheelchairs in these flights.

I would much rather someone escort them than wait for 30 minutes on the runway while they try to locate them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don’t know their ability status. You have no clue

Amen

[Anonymous]

I request disability assistance when I book my flight. I would love to know how some random stranger knows so much about anybody's condition.

One of my friends appears totally capable. However after about 10 minutes of walking, she is exhausted, and dizzy. I'm sure you would judge her, since you are so knowledgeable.

[Anonymous]

NP. I know for a fact that this is abused because my relatives abuse this. In their airport it gets you a ride in the golf cart, not a wheelchair.

A lot of not completely disabled people can't walk the miles that are required at poorly designed airports like Dulles.

[Anonymous]

I agree there is massive abuse OP. And also that there is little you can do about it.

[Anonymous]

This is OP - I am saying this because I have seen this at IAD. A person who can walk from the parking lot to check-in counter, stand in line to get checked in and for their boarding pass, then turn around and request a wheelchair to get to the gate? When another person who might be really in need of one have to wait? I am not saying stop the service, but if you really aren't in need of a wheelchair then pay a fee to use it. I believe the people who push the wheelchairs are volunteers? I might be wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree there is massive abuse OP. And also that there is little you can do about it.

How in the world would you know this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP - I am saying this because I have seen this at IAD. A person who can walk from the parking lot to check-in counter, stand in line to get checked in and for their boarding pass, then turn around and request a wheelchair to get to the gate? When another person who might be really in need of one have to wait? I am not saying stop the service, but if you really aren't in need of a wheelchair then pay a fee to use it. I believe the people who push the wheelchairs are volunteers? I might be wrong.

For some people yes, that would be the limit of their stamina.