Abusing wheelchair access in airports

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You’re a moron. These people are not volunteers. They are paid employees. Poorly paid but paid. Why the he11 do you care?

You just described my mother at an airport. She can walk for a short amount of time like from a car dropping her off at the curb to the check in counter, but would never be able to make it to the gate without a wheelchair. She has a handicapped placard that was approved by her doctor. I'm sure there are a lot of people that abuse the system but what you described isn't it. The part you might not be paying attention to is when the flight lands and they help that elderly person off the plane and to the waiting area and tell them someone will be here shortly to take you to baggage claim. Most times my mom waits at least 45min for that person. When she visits us I always go into the airport and ask for a gate pass. I am granted one about half the time. The last time i was waiting with her at her gate and a gate change was announced. I went up to ask about transport to the new gate (they don't want non employees to push wheelchairs) I was told that there was no one available and everyone in a wheelchair would probably just miss the flight. So, I pushed my mom to the new gate and went back for another elderly woman who was also in a wheelchair. I don't know what the fix is, but please don't assume that everyone that can walk for a few minutes is cheating the system.

[Anonymous]

I've never seen a problem where someone who needed a wheelchair hasn't been able to get one. I also know 2 people who would be able to go to the checkin in counter and stand in line but not be able to make it through the airport. One was my dad but if you spent a few min observing him walking for a few min you'd see why he couldn't walk long distances. Not obvious for a min of shuffling in line. Then I have another friend who looks healthy and is young, thin, looks like she could run a marathon. She has a lung condition and gets short of breath extremely easy. Walking from check in, through security, and then to the gate, especially if far away, would either take her forever because she would have to keep stopping or would cause her to need medical attention.

Anyways, always find it so weird when people judge others. I seriously doubt you've seen multiple instances of people not being able to get a wheelchair because people have been abusing the system.

[Anonymous]

Yes there are people with invisible disabilities but there are also very high numbers of people needing wheelchairs on SW flights to the carribbean and somehow only needing the wheelchair to board not to leave. I have been on flights with one 20 people in wheelchairs and only on SW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You’re a moron. These people are not volunteers. They are paid employees. Poorly paid but paid. Why the he11 do you care?

You just described my mother at an airport. She can walk for a short amount of time like from a car dropping her off at the curb to the check in counter, but would never be able to make it to the gate without a wheelchair. She has a handicapped placard that was approved by her doctor. I'm sure there are a lot of people that abuse the system but what you described isn't it. The part you might not be paying attention to is when the flight lands and they help that elderly person off the plane and to the waiting area and tell them someone will be here shortly to take you to baggage claim. Most times my mom waits at least 45min for that person. When she visits us I always go into the airport and ask for a gate pass. I am granted one about half the time. The last time i was waiting with her at her gate and a gate change was announced. I went up to ask about transport to the new gate (they don't want non employees to push wheelchairs) I was told that there was no one available and everyone in a wheelchair would probably just miss the flight. So, I pushed my mom to the new gate and went back for another elderly woman who was also in a wheelchair. I don't know what the fix is, but please don't assume that everyone that can walk for a few minutes is cheating the system.

Next time just buy a refundable ticket that leaves a few hours after your mother's flight. Cancel once you get through security.

[Anonymous]

Maybe a solution to Ai job loss here. Just require everyone to be wheeled around in airports

[Anonymous]

I would be happy if they just cut down on the number of people boarding with people in wheelchairs. There is no reason for more than one person and that should only be if the person needs help. I hate seeing huge families getting on just cause Grandma is in a wheelchair. This used to drive me crazy especially on Southwest where you would pay for a good boarding number but the plane would already be half full due to all the preboarders.

[Anonymous]

Wow OP! Being able to instantly determine whether or not complete strangers are “able bodied” sounds like a superpower. Do you get paid for this — or is it more of a hobby?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes there are people with invisible disabilities but there are also very high numbers of people needing wheelchairs on SW flights to the carribbean and somehow only needing the wheelchair to board not to leave. I have been on flights with one 20 people in wheelchairs and only on SW.

SW has the best disability services. Many people with legitimate disabilities book them for that reason.

I think the problem that you are missing is that people who are upset about people “misusing” disability services have an extensive track record of interfering with the rights of people with disabilities. It’s like they don’t see people with disabilities as human so they think it’s ok to treat them badly. It’s not.

[Anonymous]

Taking one of these wheelchairs is a huge PITA and takes forever for the person sitting in the chair. I've seen people in wheelchairs miss their connecting flight because the layover was too short for a transfer across multiple terminals and a late arriving + slow walking wheelchair attendant who was too busy fiddling on their smart phone.

If you can avoid taking a wheelchair, you absolutely do it. You don't want your travel in the hands of a random person at an unfamiliar airport.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Wrong. I see them jump out of their seat as soon as the plane lands. First on, first off. Brilliant!

Every single time I've used it, it's beemfirst on, last off to allow space for the chair and the assistant.

[Anonymous]

I googled quickly and “jetway Jesus” is a term that flight attendants and airport staff use. As soon as the travelers get off, they hop right of the wheelchairs and are healed of their ailments. Hallelujah!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes there are people with invisible disabilities but there are also very high numbers of people needing wheelchairs on SW flights to the carribbean and somehow only needing the wheelchair to board not to leave. I have been on flights with one 20 people in wheelchairs and only on SW.

This will go away soon though because SW is switching to assigned seats so boarding early in a wheelchair will no longer be an advantage. You still just go to your assigned seat rather than getting first pick of all the seats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Wrong. I see them jump out of their seat as soon as the plane lands. First on, first off. Brilliant!

Every single time I've used it, it's beemfirst on, last off to allow space for the chair and the assistant.

PP is referring to people who use wheelchair service to get to their flight and then do NOT use it to get off their flight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I googled quickly and “jetway Jesus” is a term that flight attendants and airport staff use. As soon as the travelers get off, they hop right of the wheelchairs and are healed of their ailments. Hallelujah!

Sure they do.

If so, however, they should be ashamed too just like OP.

Nurses and doctors talk smack about patients during surgery. That's ok in your book too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes there are people with invisible disabilities but there are also very high numbers of people needing wheelchairs on SW flights to the carribbean and somehow only needing the wheelchair to board not to leave. I have been on flights with one 20 people in wheelchairs and only on SW.

Becuase it's Lord of the Flies Southwest. It's not as rampant on other airlines.