Praise for Southwest

[Tege]

Coming back from Orlando yesterday I goofed and didn’t online checkin 24 hours in advance like I usually do so my daughter (13) with autism is able to sit with either my husband and I or both. The line up position I got when I remembered to checkin was guaranteed only center seats would be left and we would all have to sit apart. There is no way my daughter could do a 2 hour flight sitting alone. I explained the situation to the Southwest ticket agent at check in and she said no problem and allowed my daughter and I to preboard. I’ve never asked for accommodations before for my daughter, I’ve just always checked in early to secure our line position. The agents at Southwest were very helpful for us. So if you need help don’t be scared to ask.

 

[happiestpoe]

That's wonderful to hear!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Wow, sometimes common sense and respect do exist!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Coming back from Orlando yesterday I goofed and didn’t online checkin 24 hours in advance like I usually do so my daughter (13) with autism is able to sit with either my husband and I or both. The line up position I got when I remembered to checkin was guaranteed only center seats would be left and we would all have to sit apart. There is no way my daughter could do a 2 hour flight sitting alone. I explained the situation to the Southwest ticket agent at check in and she said no problem and allowed my daughter and I to preboard. I’ve never asked for accommodations before for my daughter, I’ve just always checked in early to secure our line position. The agents at Southwest were very helpful for us. So if you need help don’t be scared to ask.

Glad you had such a positive experience with Southwest and Disabilities. We're big Southwest fans for that reason. One trip, I'd fractured my pelvis just a few days before flying (had to get doctor's permission to fly). I could barely move, and we didn't know how I'd do it. But Southwest was so helpful all the way through-they went the extra mile to make our Thanksgiving trip possible.

 

[Evita_W]

I have to say we have been on Southwest twice recently and they have been incredibly helpful. I know many years ago this wasn't the case, but it is now.

 

[DisSurfer878]

That's awesome! Southwest doesn't fly to a lot of the places we do, but we have had similarly wonderful experiences on Alaska and Delta. Never asked why we need to pre board or said anything about it when we do, and the gate agents have always been extremely kind helping us with anything, including working too seat us together the very few times we have had similar goofs to you!

 

[SueM in MN]

Glad you had a good experience with Southwest. We have traveled with Southwest, but not often since they don’t fly direct, non-stop to Orlando from our airport.

The Air Carrier Act actually requires airlines to allow preboarding for people who self-identify as being disabled and needing a specific seat assignment, to stow their personal folding wheelchairs/accessibility equipment, need additional time or assistance to board, or be seated. TSA preboarding clarification

So, if you need to preboard, do ask

 

[Lilsia]

SWA is great. I had a situation years ago and needed pre board for that one flight. I just talked to the gate agent and they were wonderful.

 

[connie254]

My son has autism and Southwest is great to work with. I just ask at the desk near the gate, and start by saying "My son has autism...." and by the time I ask autism, they have their hand out for his ticket to change it to a preboard. They take the people in wheelchairs first and then motion for us. After they scan our tickets, he knows it's time to get on the plane and it's a race to the actual plane and the smiles on the flight attendants' faces when he says "that seat right there". He must sit in the first few rows on the right.

 

[KMP12]

Coming back from Orlando yesterday I goofed and didn’t online checkin 24 hours in advance like I usually do so my daughter (13) with autism is able to sit with either my husband and I or both. The line up position I got when I remembered to checkin was guaranteed only center seats would be left and we would all have to sit apart. There is no way my daughter could do a 2 hour flight sitting alone. I explained the situation to the Southwest ticket agent at check in and she said no problem and allowed my daughter and I to preboard. I’ve never asked for accommodations before for my daughter, I’ve just always checked in early to secure our line position. The agents at Southwest were very helpful for us. So if you need help don’t be scared to ask.

We always get preboard! I still check in but don't rush to get a good boarding spots. They allow preboard for guests with disabilities and anyone with kids under 6 I believe.

 

[tobikaye]

My sister has mobility disabilities so is an automatic pre-board, but my cousin has some non-mobility issues that make it better if she pre-boards. She just asks when she arrives at the airport and has not had any issues so far with being given pre-board.

They allow preboard for guests with disabilities and anyone with kids under 6 I believe.

Unless it has changed recently, SW boards families after pre-boards and group A.

SW boards in this order:

1. Pre-Boards
2. Group A
3. Families with Children under 6
4. Group B
5. Group C

 

[Lewisc]

My sister has mobility disabilities so is an automatic pre-board, but my cousin has some non-mobility issues that make it better if she pre-boards. She just asks when she arrives at the airport and has not had any issues so far with being given pre-board.



Unless it has changed recently, SW boards families after pre-boards and group A.

SW boards in this order:

1. Pre-Boards
2. Group A
3. Families with Children under 6
4. Group B
5. Group C

Within group 1 pax who need a wheelchair to get through the jetway are first

 

[tobikaye]

Within group 1 pax who need a wheelchair to get through the jetway are first

Yes, I was not that interested in breaking down the pre-board order. I have seen those that need the aisle chair to transfer usually boarded first, followed by those that can transfer from a wheelchair and then those using other mobility devices and then those needing pre-board without mobility devices. I have seen one or two SW flights where they just started sending pre-boards after the individuals needing the aisle chair without rhyme or reason.

 

[chaoslobster]

I adore Southwest. I'm pretty badly disabled, and I bring my personal scooter when I fly. (incidentally, for whatever reason, scooter boards before wheelchairs. I have gotten the stink eye MANY times from older folks in wheelchairs when I was escorted in front of them, but apparently it's SW policy? I don't know, but I am always brought on first and the wheelchairs have to wait even if they were there before me. the attendant will walk past the line of wheelchairs and get me and bring me ahead of them. every single time.)

someone always walks with me down the ramp, then when I get to the plane, a flight attendant will help me stand up off the scooter and take my arm to guide me across the gap and help me to my seat, while another one carries my backpack and my coat and whatever fast food bag or whatnot I have with me, and puts my things in the overhead for me because I can't lift my shoulders. They are always insanely nice and never make me feel bad for not being able to manage my own things or needing someone's arm to step into the plane.

 

[Evita_W]

They usually (not always) take scooters and those that can walk down the gangway on their own first because they can get down there on their own power. For those on wheelchairs, they bring them down one by one, especially.in airports where there airport doesn't have enough staff to come and assist the gate agents, as that leaves the gate agents to assist them down.

 

[serenitynow]

They usually (not always) take scooters and those that can walk down the gangway on their own first because they can get down there on their own power. For those on wheelchairs, they bring them down one by one, especially.in airports where there airport doesn't have enough staff to come and assist the gate agents, as that leaves the gate agents to assist them down.

Plus they need the extra time to store the ECV in the luggage compartment on the plane

 

[Evita_W]

Plus they need the extra time to store the ECV in the luggage compartment on the plane

Well, to be fair, they would need that for people in their personal wheelchairs too.

 

[SueM in MN]

(incidentally, for whatever reason, scooter boards before wheelchairs)

It might depend on exactly who is boarding and their needs. Passengers who need to be carried on or use an aisle chair are usually loaded as the first passengers.
We haven’t traveled for a while on Southwest, but we are always boarded as the very first passengers - not only do we need to transfer DD on, but I also need to take pieces off of her manual wheelchair before it can be stowed.
After us come other people who need to be transferred, people with their own mobility devices who are able to walk on and passengers being pushed in an airport/airline wheelchair.

Plus they need the extra time to store the ECV in the luggage compartment on the plane

Well, to be fair, they would need that for people in their personal wheelchairs too.

If someone is driving their own ECV (or most power wheelchair) down to the door of the plane, staff would need to bring it back out the jetway to load it on the plane.
That takes space to turn and get back up the jetway. So, it would make sense to have those people board first and get their device out before boarding other passengers.
Most manual wheelchairs are carried down the jetway stairs to ground level for loading. That takes a little extra time, but not as much as getting heavier and/or motorized devices to the ground.
ECVs or power wheelchairs need to be taken to an elevator to get from gate level to ground level - they may need to go pretty far from the original gate to get to an elevator and then travel on the ground to the plane. If they were boarded later, there might not be time to get to the plane and load

 

[trishascottrealtor]

This is great to hear since I just booked a flight on Southwest for June. I'm traveling with a party of 5 and my son uses a powerchair.
We've never flown on SW with the powerchair..... so your post is very helpful.

 

[Evita_W]

If someone is driving their own ECV (or most power wheelchair) down to the door of the plane, staff would need to bring it back out the jetway to load it on the plane.
That takes space to turn and get back up the jetway. So, it would make sense to have those people board first and get their device out before boarding other passengers.
Most manual wheelchairs are carried down the jetway stairs to ground level for loading. That takes a little extra time, but not as much as getting heavier and/or motorized devices to the ground.
ECVs or power wheelchairs need to be taken to an elevator to get from gate level to ground level - they may need to go pretty far from the original gate to get to an elevator and then travel on the ground to the plane. If they were boarded later, there might not be time to get to the plane and load

Which may be why we haven't seen the scooters being boarded before wheelchairs, as our home Airport is Long Beach CA and for that there is an outdoor ramp to the plane, so DH just takes his scooter to the ramp and can walk up the ramp, so they don't have to take it back around to an elevator. And Houston airport had an elevator on the jetway, they literally just brought it out the door they take strollers and manual chairs and took it down the elevator.

So, it may well depend on the airport as well as needs.