These privileges pushed the airline to reconsider when its longstanding ‘first-come, first-served’ approach failed on Southwest Hawaii flights among others. With mounting pressure from passengers and investors, it will pivot to try better serving Hawaii and beyond.
Pre registration for disability passengers should be a part of wheel chair protocol….since Hawaii is usually a six hour flight, seated closer to the restrooms could help many truly disabled passengers….
I have more than 1 disability. Thay are not visible to the eye.I do carry disability card. But don’t have my name on it.It’s registered under a number.It might be myself,but I get inbassed when someone starts asking me questions about it.I am a senior,but have had this disability since a I’ve been younger age. I fault against using the wheelchair or cane for several years,in results in falling.The miss use of people using the wheelchair policy on a airflight is no different than them people parking their cars in a handicap spot.It would be hard for the airlines to curve it an protect them from a discrimination lawsuit.People just needs to stop complainning.The airlines do their best to combinate all their passengers.I have been flying Southwest several years.An find thay show the most caring for their passengers to be comfortable an satisfied with their flight than any other airlines I have flown on.Thank you Southwest to all your employees for caring.
I am 72 and legally disabled. For the past four years I have been using the wheelchair service on any airlines I’m traveling with. I frequently use Southwest and only recently had a very bad experience flying from Maui. I was bumped off my flight and told to wait two and a half hours in my wheelchair alone at the gate. I had to push my chair with my luggage because there were no Southwest employees. I can walk short distances but the trek to gates is often longer than I can handle.
When will you be able to get wheelchair boarding if you need it? I have had 2 hip replacements and need new knees. I travel by myself. I don’t mind getting a doctor’s slip as I have in the past and didn’t need it.
What do you do then with the people who are extremely nasty to those who walk slower than they do because they didn’t want flack for using a wheelchair.
I also have severe lung issues. I don’t have a placard or anything, because I still have both lungs even though I take 2 inhalers every where I go. Takes me forever to go any distance because I have to stop and catch my breath. I use a cane.
I say those that use the wheel chairs to board and not when they get off should have their names in the southwest data base and be denied their use.
I recently used a wheelchair on my outbound flight from Las Vegas because it was a long distance to the gate. Then there’s (for some) a long wait in the TSA line. I landed in Maui–a short walk to pick-up, so I didn’t use the wheelchair for deplaning. You, yourself said “go any distance.” That distance varies from airport to airport.
I have always preferred Spirit over Southwest because I am highly claustrophobic and therefore I need to sit to the front of the plane on the aisle after I’ve taken my medication and had a drink so with Spirit I’m able to purchase a seat on row four five or six so that I’m not too far back and on the aisle with Southwest even when I get priority boarding I have to wait behind all of the wheelchairs and on the flight Friday from Jamaica there were approximately 20 wheelchairs in front of me which made my anxiety even worse not knowing how far back on the plane I was going to have to go back and also my back was killing me. I have chronic arthritis in my back, feet and knees but I don’t like to use the wheelchair service in case I want to stop and eat, shop or use the restroom. If I could purchase my seat or call Southwest disability department and get an assigned a seat the way I do on Spirit I would always fly Southwest because I have my seat up front and still get my two bags free
Hi…I have found most wheel chair assistants will stop at places that serve food, news stands, and restrooms…just ask the next time…
Much better
Thank you. Assigned Seating Much Better.
That being said, I can’t tell you how mad it makes my to see 20 wheelchairs lined up everytime I fly (about 6 times per year) with people that for the most part don’t have an observable issue.
My wife will always tell me it’s fine, they may have a disability that we can’t see but low and behold. Every time we land, it’s a miracle!!! Not only can they now exit the plane without any assistance what so ever, but they always seem so depressed and down preflight. That’s seems to be cured too and now they’re sooo happy. Guess that happens when you’re healed mid-flight???
I feel mocked every single time I see that, and what’s worse is now other passengers are looking at me thinking the same because I just walked in and off with them after all. So why wouldn’t I be a fake.
I’ve always said that if you have a legit issue that it should be accompanied with validation from an Dr like I have.
THANK GOD!!!
I have a legitimate disability in the fact that I’m hearing impaired to the point of needing corrective surgery.
Problem is although it will likely help, it could also do harm so I’m holding out until my kids are grown.
I use the early boarding, dispute the dirty looks I would often get from other passengers, for a few reasons. 1. Because I’m legally disabled, might not be a disability that other passengers agree with but it is a disability that is covered on early boarding. When you have to deal with the massive hassle of not being able to hear then you learn to accept any benefits that you might happen to encounter. 2. My hearing causing a major disruption in my natural balance and I’ve actually fallen from it. Not often but it’s happened.
I am a wheelchair user who can walk short distances. I’ve loved this benefit mainly for not having to stand in the aisle for long periods when boarding and deplaning and I’ve seen this miracle occur. I’ve been able to walk the jetway on some days. Its walking through some airports that is often the most difficult. PHL is a nightmare for me. MCO is much easier. A couple of times in MCO, I’ve walked off because no wheelchairs were available. MCOs wheelchair runner service is horrid. But their shuttle and end bulkhead “seats,” plus shorter distances, make it a little easier to walk. We are going to Hawaii next year and will probably hit the new system. I will likely pay more for an upfront seat to avoid having to stand in the aisle when deplaning. No one wants to have to pick me up when my arthritic knees give out!
I have no problem with Southwest’s boarding process. I noticed that they changed the ‘famlies with young children’ to board after group a and that only one person can board with a handicap. Maybe only board the wheelchairs after group A and only allow them to exit after everone else! Seems too many dishonest people.
I don’t have a permanent disability, but I am awaiting hip replacement and walking/standing for long periods is not possible. For now, I require W/C boarding. But I don’t object to being the last to deplane on arrival to make it more fair for priority passengers.
Yes, like many including the jetway miracle makers, for a 6 hour+/- flight, with family I want assigned seats, and I want, seating upgrades for vacation travel; this being the fastest growing revenue segment and a cash cow that SWA is forgoing. There is a good YouTube video entitled, “Why Budget Airlines are Suddenly Failing” which highlights the cost structures (fuel$$$) and revenue opportunities due to customer demand changes. There’s a formula some of the legacy carriers talk about, Economy pays for the fuel, premium seats are the flight profit. With the cost problem and current offerings, SWA is no longer profitable and there’s a plausible argument, also evidenced through the parables of “Jetway Jesus”, that they (management) are lagging behind the trends in the industry. Want, actually need, SWA to survive and thrive, it is becoming clear that changes are afoot. Aloha🤙
My Mom is 86 years old and can generally walk around the house and do shopping though she rarely drives anymore. She doesn’t require a handicap placard but the last few times she flew she used a wheelchair just because trying to haul her carryon and walk the airport is bit much for her.
So the idea of producing an ID with proof of handicapped placard would work against her even if she has a legitimate need…or for anyone who just had surgery or similar.
So instead of having to produce an ID with a handicap allowance they should just flag you to leave Last when you deboard. Failure to wait will result in a $100 fee added. You should also be flagged in their system as a known @hole.
My father has to use a wheelchair at every airport we go to whenever we fly because of a complex 2 day surgery he had to have back in 2019 and it limited his mobility since then. He also has to use a walker and a cane as well to walk. He also cannot handle walking long distances and stand for a long time. Every time we make flight reservations, we always note for a wheelchair request. Here are a few ideas to consider… how about requiring a doctor’s notary for using a wheelchair? How about imposing a fine for those who abuse the wheelchair system? How about reserving a section of seats on the plane that would be specifically for handicapped passengers only? Public transportations reserve sections of seats for handicapped and disability only.
I stopped flying with Southwest due to the weird boarding that invites and allows dishonest folks to game the system. Having paid for Priority boarding , ( A group) and then not be able to find a Priority seat because seats have been blocked off with bags for a party in a lower boarding group, who will join the one person who paid for one Priority boarding. The whole disabled handicap scam is just beyond out of control. Purchase the seat you want..or stay home or drive. I am happy knowing that the pay for is the one I get when I board. Done with Southwest.
SWA does not have Priority seating, they have Priority boarding. Some prefer a specific location front to back , while others seek special number, window or aisle seats. No one prefers the middle seat.
They should make people produce a letter from a physician or show their handicapped parking pass this will eliminate that ones who don’t actually need a wheelchair
Southwest is fine just the way it is. All they need to do is ask to see Government issued disability card to pre board. All states use them for parking!!!!!!
My state does not issue a disability card. They onlyvisible. physician authorized disability hang tags for use at handicapped parking. You need a physician to fill out a form stating the disability. Remember all disabilities are not visible .I have cancer, lung problems and chronic fatigue and can’t walk far. I have adisability hang tag but we don’t get a card. I’m 72. If you look at me you can’t see my disability. At the new Salt Lake airport you have to walk almost a mile from the southwest gate to baggage claim. I can not walk that far.
I also have severe lung issues. I don’t have a placard or anything, because I still have both lungs even though I take 2 inhalers every where I go. Takes me forever to go any distance because I have to stop and catch my breath. I use a cane.
I say those that use the wheel chairs to board and not when they get off should have their names in the southwest data base and be denied their use.
Also my husband has a bad leg with rods in it. People were very nasty to him because he was slow, that’s why we requested a wheelchair thus past trip.
This is why we can’t have nice things. Same issue applies to “therapy pets” and fake service animals. SMH.
I would like make a suggestion.
When Police Officers request ID for parking in the handicap space, the information on the handicap parking ID must match your ID. I think the airlines could require the same; The handicap ID must match the persons ID, passport & must register their handicap identity with each airline.
Handicaps can be temporary or situational an as so their is no “handicap ID.” I can’t walk certain very large airports. The distance to the gate makes walking excruciatingly painful. Sometimes I need to preboard to secure a window seat to prevent having to get out of my seat for another passenger to use the restroom, because again, painful. Sometimes, when my pain is tolerable, and the airport is smaller, I don’t need any special accommodations, or sufficient rest on the plane is enough for me to forego the wheelchair ride to baggage. The point is, strangers should be careful about judging others. Making it harder for people with a disability like mine to travel comfortably isn’t a solution either.