I wish my mother would get a wheelchair, she has Multiple Sclerosis and her balance is precarious. But she also hates sitting for too long, so in anticipation of a flight, or after one, she's raring to walk! My father needs to hold her arm so she doesn't fall.

I hope you wouldn't judge someone like her, who can walk, but can lose her balance easily.

MYOB OP.

I have an elderly aunt (in her 80s) who is able to walk but she can’t walk for longer than 5-10 minutes. She always uses a wheelchair when traveling because airports have long lines and long distances between security and gates.

Oh, and she is very embarrassed about having to use a wheelchair. She only started because her kids insisted it was the safest thing to do.

Have some empathy OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Because places like Disney admit how widespread the abuse is and kept having to amend policies to combat it. You thing the abuse is only happening at theme parks and nowhere else?

I want to see the source of this information and the alleged abuse.

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Because places like Disney admit how widespread the abuse is and kept having to amend policies to combat it. You thing the abuse is only happening at theme parks and nowhere else?

My mom looks fine to most people. She also has dementia and a history of falling. Mind your business.

I bet OP loves to sneer at the people at the handicapped spots too and proclaim, "you look totally fine to me."

Anonymous wrote:I agree that we can't really police this, but I've definitely been on flights where 20 people required wheelchairs to board, but only 5 needed them to deplane. Hallelujah, god is good! A flight through the heavens cured these poor folk of their grave afflictions.

Anyone who can't stand or walk at all, will travel with their own personal wheelchair. So, anyone who is using an airport wheelchair is someone who has some ability to walk. Maybe the issue is something like dementia, where they need to be contained while their travel companion focuses on security etc . . . , but they can handle the walk out. Maybe the issue is something like heart disease that impacts stamina. Maybe their doctor has even told them to walk as much as they can. Maybe they're flying home, and a family member is waiting for them with their personal wheelchair at baggage claim, so the walk from the gate is short. There are all sorts of very legitimate reasons why someone would choose to use a wheelchair to get to the plane and not need it getting off.

Anonymous wrote:Eh, I'm fine with it. Old people should have help and be able to go to the front of the line. Physical needs aside, travel is really stressful when you're older.

Also obesity is very difficult.

I agree that we can't really police this, but I've definitely been on flights where 20 people required wheelchairs to board, but only 5 needed them to deplane. Hallelujah, god is good! A flight through the heavens cured these poor folk of their grave afflictions.

Eh, I'm fine with it. Old people should have help and be able to go to the front of the line. Physical needs aside, travel is really stressful when you're older.

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!

If someone has a disability that makes standing in lines and crowds hard, they'd want to be first off. What do you think you've discovered again?

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!

You think you know something, but you don't. Worry about your own self.

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!

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?

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.

At IAD they are paid, but generally you would also tip.