Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

Regardless of whether it’s a genuine physical need or abusing the system, I don’t really understand why there isn’t an automatic cost for requiring these additional services. How is it any different from having to pay extra for a minor traveling solo or a larger person having to pay more for an extra seat?

Because it is illegal under the ADA. You can't pass on the costs of accessibility to disabled people. Come on now.

The accessibility clause requires that the airplanes/airports be able reasonably accommodate people requiring access via wheelchairs, etc but not that they pay for the services required for someone to push said wheelchair.

+1
And the same way general populations are tired of subsidizing unhealthy lifestyles in insurance pools and hospital costs, it's going to catch up with us. Everything is always extremes until something snaps. This is why we can't have nice things.

There are people who suck down sodas, eat garbage, don't excercise and end up wheelchair bound and everyone else pays for them.
(I know that's not the story, but that's how simplified it is to some)

I think we can't have nice things because people lack compassion.

No. It’s too much compassion.

Anonymous wrote:Everyone should get wheelchair access if they want. Sometimes I’m just tired and need a wheelchair. I’m taking it.

This isn’t normal at all. Are you incredibly obese?

Anonymous wrote:It drives me insane OP. They should absolutely have to pay for it, the fact that anyone can request this for free is absurd. The people who should be most angry are actual disabled people, and the people crying about people (rightfully) complaining are showing their hand. Gig is up!

Have you considered just minding your own business? You might be a lot happier.

My now 6th grader fractured her ankle in kindergarten. She was in a walking boot, but I told her she had to use the wheelchair when we connected in Atlanta - it was too far and too slow with her in her boot. When we landed in Savannah, GA, for some reason she was really embarrassed for my parents to see her in the wheel chair. We declined it and just walked slow. In Atlanta we declined the person waiting to wheel her onto the plane - but we did do pre-board which I hadn’t used before. I was traveling with her and my 1 year old and the person said it wasn’t for families with young children and told us to wait. I then pointed out that she was in a walking boot and they let us preboard. My husband was flying a few days later and managing Atlanta alone was WAY easier with a wheelchair. I haven’t abused the system but I’d be tempted! In terms of paying, in our case she fractured her ankle a few days before we flew. It’s not like you can anticipate the cost and factor that in to whether or not to fly. I would have happily paid for the service (and tipped $20), but I don’t know if everyone can / would and then you have people hobbling along and slowing things up or, heaven forbid, someone collapsing or having a similar medial emergency because they didn’t spring for a wheelchair.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

Regardless of whether it’s a genuine physical need or abusing the system, I don’t really understand why there isn’t an automatic cost for requiring these additional services. How is it any different from having to pay extra for a minor traveling solo or a larger person having to pay more for an extra seat?

+1

Yeah I have never understood why certain things are free and certain things aren’t. My wealthy friend gets free in-home care for her disabled child. But when my mom had terminal cancer we had to pay through the nose for in home care for her until she passed away. “Hospice” in her area was 3x a week for an hour. It’s illogical the preference that is shown to “disabilities” over other medical issues.

I have CF. I cannot walk a block, and even have trouble sometimes walking a few feet. I "look" healthy (despite a chronic cough and other signs). You never know whose healthy or not.

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

This. 100% this.

Everyone should get wheelchair access if they want. Sometimes I’m just tired and need a wheelchair. I’m taking it.

Anonymous wrote:Well, dd just broke her foot. She’s an able bodied teen, but hopping the long distances with a cast is not exactly convenient. So, yes, now I am exploring if we get wheel chair. It’s not so much that she cannot walk, it’s whether she can manage the long distance within the allocated time to make the transfer.

Others may have other issues that make it difficult to walk for long distances, like surgeries, or other conditions that you cannot “see”. But that make walking fast an issue.

As someone who has btdt with a broken leg, get her the wheelchair. Travel is too much physical stress on her foot and it will ache if she walks on it too much. Really f anyone who judges and do what’s best for your kid!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

Regardless of whether it’s a genuine physical need or abusing the system, I don’t really understand why there isn’t an automatic cost for requiring these additional services. How is it any different from having to pay extra for a minor traveling solo or a larger person having to pay more for an extra seat?

+1

It drives me insane OP. They should absolutely have to pay for it, the fact that anyone can request this for free is absurd. The people who should be most angry are actual disabled people, and the people crying about people (rightfully) complaining are showing their hand. Gig is up!

Well, dd just broke her foot. She’s an able bodied teen, but hopping the long distances with a cast is not exactly convenient. So, yes, now I am exploring if we get wheel chair. It’s not so much that she cannot walk, it’s whether she can manage the long distance within the allocated time to make the transfer.

Others may have other issues that make it difficult to walk for long distances, like surgeries, or other conditions that you cannot “see”. But that make walking fast an issue.

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.

They are paid by the airlines/airport. I tip them $10.

Anonymous wrote: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.

I cannot walk long distances. I had to get a wheelchair in Frankfurt. My kids are in ES and they walked alongside me while I was holding the carryon while sitting in the wheelchair. Looking at me you would not think I needed assistance but I do depending on the layout of airport and transit times.

I'm sure the judgemental OP would think I was abusing the system. HTH does OP know each person's personal issues to judge them?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

Regardless of whether it’s a genuine physical need or abusing the system, I don’t really understand why there isn’t an automatic cost for requiring these additional services. How is it any different from having to pay extra for a minor traveling solo or a larger person having to pay more for an extra seat?

Because it is illegal under the ADA. You can't pass on the costs of accessibility to disabled people. Come on now.

The accessibility clause requires that the airplanes/airports be able reasonably accommodate people requiring access via wheelchairs, etc but not that they pay for the services required for someone to push said wheelchair.

+1
And the same way general populations are tired of subsidizing unhealthy lifestyles in insurance pools and hospital costs, it's going to catch up with us. Everything is always extremes until something snaps. This is why we can't have nice things.

There are people who suck down sodas, eat garbage, don't excercise and end up wheelchair bound and everyone else pays for them.
(I know that's not the story, but that's how simplified it is to some)

Talk about ableism!!!!

The people needing assistance at the airport are not affecting you that much, if at all.

Tell me, what would you have me do? I can walk and stand to a certain point. Not enough to get through the rigamarole at the airport. I use handicapped assist with a wheelchair. IF I am on my own, I cannot propel that wheelchair myself. Assistance is REQUIRED. Looking at me, other than if you see my leg braces, you would not know why I'm in that chair.

Charging for that assistance is the same as denying it. "You can have some of the help, but you should pay for the rest so the lucky able bodied people don't get the vapors."

I really, really hope people like you end up stuck sitting in a wheelchair, with people giving you the side eye and complaining when you need help. And I hope it's something you've done to yourself. Have the day you deserve.