A flight passenger took to social media to share a photograph of fellow flyers utilizing wheelchairs through the pre-boarding course of, sparking a debate amongst vacationers.
The X consumer captioned the publish, “Typical @SouthwestAir flight to Florida!”
“I counted 30 pre-boards needing wheelchair help. Once we get off the aircraft 28 of them stroll off,” the publish continued.
X customers took to the feedback part to debate their ideas on some flyers solely utilizing wheelchairs after they board, and to not deplane.
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“Simply bc [because] they stroll on/off aircraft doesn’t imply they don’t want help or can stroll the space by the terminal to the gate,” one remark mentioned.
A Southwest passenger posted a photograph (not pictured) on X displaying “30” flyers in Florida utilizing wheelchairs for help to board, with solely two flyers allegedly utilizing the wheelchairs to deplane. (iStock)
One X consumer mentioned, “Most of them are elders. Ambulatory wheelchairs ease their method to gates or exits. Again ache, knee ache, current surgical procedures, power ache, disabilities, any of these issues can require them [to get] some assist even when they will stroll.”
“Strolling off a aircraft is a very totally different matter than strolling by an whole airport. Many individuals can handle a number of yards however not a whole bunch of yards,” added one other.
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A consumer commented, “Sitting for an prolonged time period means which you can in all probability stroll for a little bit bit longer than getting there.”
Social media customers on X reacted to the publish, with one individual saying, “Most individuals assume incorrectly that wheelchair customers can’t arise.” (iStock)
“Buddy, some wheelchair customers are in a position to stroll quick distances. They’re known as ambulatory wheelchair customers. I, myself, am supposed to make use of strolling aids. I’m simply cussed,” commented one.
One other mentioned, “Most individuals assume incorrectly that wheelchair customers can’t arise.”
Southwest Airways responded to the consumer’s publish and apologized.
“We’re sorry for any disappointment… We respect your suggestions and hope to create extra nice reminiscences with you subsequent time,” Southwest’s remark mentioned.
Fox Information Digital reached out to the X consumer and to Southwest Airways for remark.
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An analogous incidence happened in Fort Lauderdale in 2023 as an X consumer claimed to witness 20 passengers requesting wheelchair help, FOX Enterprise reported.
“Pre-boarding rip-off at @SouthwestAir 20 passengers boarding utilizing a wheelchair and possibly solely three want one to deplane,” the consumer wrote within the publish, which included a photograph of passengers sitting in wheelchairs.
One other consumer posted an analogous incidence at a Florida airport in 2023, claiming that “20 passengers boarding utilizing a wheelchair and possibly solely three want one to deplane.” (iStock)
The publish additionally confirmed a picture of a number of people sitting in wheelchairs.
In response to the consumer’s feed, the flight was canceled, and the consumer had the identical expertise.
The consumer claimed that 14 individuals on the rebooked flight requested wheelchairs, however solely six used them to deplane.
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Gary Leff, a Texas-based journey business professional and creator of the weblog “View From the Wing,” advised Fox Information Digital that he sees extra passengers requesting wheelchairs on Southwest Airways than on every other airline.
“Not coincidentally, there is a larger profit to doing so with Southwest, the place seating is first-come, first-served. Boarding early will get you entry to a greater seat on board,” mentioned Leff.
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He added, “There are solely so many contract employees helping with wheelchairs at every airport, so frivolous requests damage these with an actual want. These passengers discover themselves ready longer to deplane, or ready on the jetbridge for a wheelchair to point out up.”