Southwest Airlines Community

Leg problems. My foot was ripped off my leg in an accident that also crushed and smashed my ankle to bits. I should be an amputee at best, or dead from bleeding out. And some clowns begrudge my preboarding.  ... View more

Larger aircraft with First or Business frequently have an entrance which is between Coach and Business or First so people flying Coach don't even walk through First or Business. I flew Business as a newly disabled person with double fractured legs and was boarded last as I had to be transferred from a terminal wheelchair to an aircraft wheelchair into an aisle seat at the back of Business class. As I described, Business was on the left when I boarded. It wasn't a 737 but it wasn't a wide body aircraft. ... View more

So- because I am disabled and pre-boarded I should have to pay for Business Select? Umm, what about all the other things bundled into that fare besides being between A1-A15? Maybe I don't want a fully refundable fare with the option to change flights at no extra cost the day of travel. Maybe I don't want the extra RR points or the free alcoholic beverage, or to be in the Priority or Express Lane. I don't think the FAA would have me be compelled to purchase superfluous services simply to pre-board. In case you're wondering, the only person who flies with me is also disabled. We use our own folding electric mobility scooters instead of wheelchair service and gate check the scooters. Why? Because every time I have put a scooter into checked luggage it was damaged. Plus tipping wheelchair attendants is $80 for two of us, not counting skycap tips and baggage claim porter tips. So the next time you see someone in a wheelchair or on a scooter at the gate be grateful it's not you because you have no idea of how much work goes into our being able to travel. So what if you are past 15 rows. I would love to be able to walk the length of a 737 again. Sorry I don't just stay home to make life easier for you. ... View more

@tommyo wrote: Here is a solution Southwest:   Preboards can get on first as usual- all 20 to 40 of them. Other than children, vets and mentally handicapped people should sit in the back of the plane, why?   1. board before anyone else, no one is in your way 2. 2 bathrooms in the back 3. 2 flight attendants in the back 4. unload last- no one is in your way.   what does this solve?   People paying for premium seats A listers- A list preferred and Business select are happy cause they got there moneys worth and they can catch there connecting flights faster.   pre boards should be happy cause now they have more assistance and more bathroom facilities at there disposal.   its a winning solution for everyone....   Happy New Year People like me, in a wheelchair, can't walk to the back of the plane. We would have to transfer out of the wheelchair from the curb to the gate at the aircraft door into an aisle wheelchair.  How long do you think that would take the crew to accomplish?  I once flew first class on Delta in a wheelchair where they had to transfer me to an aisle chair. Once we boarded the flight, where the aircraft door was in between First and Economy, the flight attendants realized the aisle chair was not going to fit into First on that aircraft. I had to deplane, in pain and all, and wait two hours for a different flight. After paying for First. And change from a direct flight to a connecting flight. Even under circumstances with premium fares, things don't always go as hoped for in a situation. ... View more

There is a place online when making the reservation to indicate that you are disabled and whether or not you need wheelchair service in the terminals upon departing and arriving.  I am often put into a wheelchair right at the curb by the skycaps. ... View more

There are valid service dogs. ADA mandates that they be permitted to fly, and  ACAA allows for documented Emotional Service Animals. Also the terminals have sniffer dogs in departures and arrivals.  If you have an allergy, then you should prepare accordingly with medication, and carry an EpiPen if your allergy is severe enough to put you into anaphylactic shock. ... View more

  "Allergies are a very personal experience. I personally have 8 food related ones, of which only peanuts is one of the "Big 8". I cannot eat any of the snacks you passout or drink your juices, all of which is fine and my allergies to deal with throughout my life. Every person is different, with their allergens and reactions. I think your policy shows a disconnect with the allergen community.  If better awareness could be accomplished I'm sure it would be greatly appreciated. If I need to share this in another forum please let me know."   Thank you   The "Allergen Community?" A lot of people have allergies to different things. Part of living with it is preparing oneself ahead of time. Not everything in life can be controlled.  My brother has been allergic to bees since childhood. Years of shots weekly did not render him immune.  He carries an EpiPen at all times. Bees are everywhere. No, they are generally not in the closed quarters of a fuselage for a flight of several hours, but they are a risk. Other people have shellfish allergies. Or Celiac disease. Southwest does attempt to accomodate people but there are only so many measures that can be taken.  If someone is the exception to the rule, then they should not expect everyone else to conform to their needs- they need to take measures proactively.   ... View more

When booking online there is a question as to whether or not a passenger has a peanut allergy. Checking off a box is all that is needed. ... View more

I am perplexed that you allowed your point balance to accrue so high without using some points to fly. The terms state that if there is no flight activity within 24 months points can be dropped. Sorry you were not aware of that stipulation. ... View more

Thank you for the consideration you give people with obvious mobility disabilities by sitting near the rear restrooms.  A lot of people abuse Preboard to sit close to the front. As a person in a wheelchair who also has to use special undergarments, the front restroom is my only option. Often there are people who can walk unassisted preboarded before the wheelchair passengers,  I appreciate people like you who choose seating that meets your needs without infringing on the needs of others- I wish there were more like you. ... View more

Yes I am being judgemental when I see someone who presents as needing a service or ESA dog but has a dog that is outfitted with a vest purchased online and an "ID" tag on the collar provided by the "registry." There is no registry in existence for service animals or ESAs.  So if someone meets the criteria for ESA and has the letter from the doctor, just bring the dog onboard without the fake vest and badge. It takes away from credibiity, not the opposite.  And yes I know that service dogs don't need a letter, but that the ADA allows the crew to ask if the dog is needed, and what service the dog performs.   I have a  valid physical disability that severely limits my mobility.  When I flew ten days ago someone who is of sound body had a genuine ESA of smaller than medium size. That person was permitted to board before me, walking down the jetway unassisted.  So that person took a seat closer to the front, and the restroom, than myself.  How appropriate is that? I don't begrudge the dog, I begrudge an able bodied person whose dog does not require the bulkhead being preboarded before those who have physical limitations. I understand some dogs are large and need the bulkhead. That was not the case this time.  I think that the crew onboard needs to board those who need proximity to the lav before those who are fully ambulatory.  In fact there were disabled people who could not walk the airport but who could walk the jetway who were boarded before those in wheelchairs. The gate agents need to use better discretion. I know some people will cite conditions as incontinence as  need to be close to the lav. Well there are two lavs in the back of a 737. I too have this condition intermittantly, so I prepare for the flight by wearing the appropriate undergarment.  Yes there are hidden disabilities, but it does not excuse people with disabilities from doing everything available to them to prepare for flight, instead of expecting everyone else on board to compensate on their behalf. ... View more