Preboarding Scammers

[floridaguy]

If you can't afford an upgraded ticket that's what the preboarding is for.

[pitchforkpaddy]

The law is written so that you self-identify as disabled. I am disabled and would never have  dreamed of using my multiple disabilities to scam a seat. But as I was scammed out of front row seats last night by two men who laughed and said I needed to learn to "Play the game." They nearly bowled people over getting off the plane like two bats out of hell. Absolutely disgusting. I will continue to pay for upgraded seating but will also self identify as disabled, which I am. I hope everybody begins to self-identify as disabled. That seems to be the only way the scamming will stop.  Only the truly disabled should get the preferential treatment they need and deserve.  To top it off the very rude gate agent let a party of four get on early after showing some kind of ID. They definitely weren't military, which I wouldn't mind. When I complained the agent said she could let anyone on that she felt like. SouthWest is cowardly in enforcing their own rules, afraid of being sued, so they screw over their best customers. My wife and I were in boarding positions A2 and A3. By the time we boarded the plane was half full. There was almost a fistfight over the issue at the baggage carousel. 

[Gstevenson]

You obviously are not getting it.....this is issue is about PRE- BOARDING abuse, which for your business select and Alist customers is completely obvious. Simple solutions like first on last off for preboarders would cut this Abuse down tremendously. Further, requiring your gate agents to enforce 1 pre-board, one attendant, which is a written policy of Southwest that you don't enforce, seems like a good place to start. What makes me ill is the holier than thou attitude you people have when you don't even enforce your own rules. 

[dfwskier]

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@Gstevenson wrote:

You obviously are not getting it.....this is issue is about PRE- BOARDING abuse, which for your business select and Alist customers is completely obvious. Simple solutions like first on last off for preboarders would cut this Abuse down tremendously. 

So how would that work? The airline does not keep track of how many pre boarders pre board or the specific seats that they pick.  How would the airline enforce a "last off" rule?

Besides, forcing handicapped people to follow rules that the non handicapped

are not required to follow will run afoul of the law.

[Nece002]

Totally agree that there will be some who will abuse this privilege.  Personally, I didn't like the new boarding rules.  Of course I don't fall in most of the special groups, so I'm biased.  But doesn't some of these groups include people who want to be treated just like everyone else without all the special treatment.  I get it, but I'm straddling the fence on whether it's fair to all travelers who pay the same amount as others in these groups.  Just my opinion, so I welcome feed back that corrects my assertions. 

[Brian-quigley]

All this so about disability act, you shouldn't  charge or have a business "class" which bring you more revenue while putting burden on business class paying customer.  I am 62 year man with RA yet I don't consider myself disabled in the sense of pre boarding.  It use to be only used by need.  Now it's expected.  I have "associates" who pre board just because they have luggage and C section tickets. This is wide spread to extent in business communities Southwest Airlines are known as "miracle" flights.  People need wheelchair to get on and the sprint off plane when it lands. I know your answers will be based on some "karma" view of human nature.  But SWA creates the boarding process the throws up theirs hand when abuses ALWAYS occurs.  I am surprised that there hasn't been some sort of class action suit against SWA for failing to give services paid for. 

I think you really need to fix this abuse and stop ignoring your customers.    

I know way do I feel people in need in relation to flyingshould be accommodated, but you can't create a process subject to abuse and just ignore outcomes. 

I think all business and regular flyers are sick of pre boarding done by people wanting better seat or place for bags

Also is is LUV to sell at gate a upgrade position just to see other abuse it by pre board policy.  

Don't you all feel Herb would of fixed this.  After all it's SWA creation. 

[NicoleAshley · Accepted solution]

We're sorry for any frustration, @Brian-quigley, and we never want our valued Customers to feel ignored. As you may know, we follow federal regulations in offering preboarding to Customers with disabilities in order to comply with the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986. As a peer-to-peer support forum, we are not equipped to assist you here on The Community, but we encourage you to reach out to us via official channels using the options in the link below. Thank you.

Submitting a Suggestion and/or Complaint

[Brian-quigley]

Thanks for responding.    I know SWA are good but varied enforcement and poor human nature does cause a lot of frequent travelers a feeling of unjust entitlement.   

Hope your good intentions can solve this as fair for ALL

I m not sure why your are required a handicap placard when using the designated parking spot while you are prevented from requesting such.  

I just can help thinking of a flight I had in Fort Meyers, where 25, old people thought they can preboard just because their old (I can say this because I'm 64 with advance Rheumatoid Arthritis ) and a young guy with a rod sticking out of his leg was literally push aside by the stampede of old farts. Maybe I complaining because I am ashamed of my fellow older travelers 

I think if a person has legitimate need they would have appropriate docs so scammers don't ruin it for everyone 

Remember it's your procedure and responsiblity to make it fair.  Especially if you are up charging 

Maybe I'm just need to retire

Thanks

[dfwskier]

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@Brian-quigley wrote:

I think if a person has legitimate need they would have appropriate docs so scammers don't ruin it for everyone 

Remember it's your procedure and responsiblity to make it fair.  Especially if you are up charging 

 Well,  Brian as has been said numerous times in this and other threads on the topic, Southwest has to follow federal law. The law prevents SW from asking to see papers

that document the need to preboard. SW can't ask about why someone needs to preboard. All people have to do is self declare a need to preboard, and federal law tells the airline to believe them - no questions asked.

The only way that changes is if the law is changed. Sorry if you don't like tha fact, but it is a fact.

[John1158]

So 16 wheelchairs then 5 others with mystery conditions can wait until A16 after those who have paid and flown more?  What is really amazing is those who need no assistance at the destination. Why should some pay more for their ticket only to be pushed down the list while those in group c buy the cheap seats and board first. And btw I have several disabilities myself.