Customers are furious over the “pre-boarding scam” that allows able-bodied passengers to employ wheelchair assistance to take advantage of pre-boarding. A viral tweet shows passengers who are potentially faking disabilities with 20 using wheelchair assistance to board the plane before other groups. It was suggested that 17 of the “disabled” didn’t need the same service to disembark the aircraft.
The frustrated Southwest passenger’s post includes a photo taken at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, exhibiting a long line of wheelchair-bound customers who are first in line to board. The viral social media post goes on to slam the airline’s wheelchair policy for boarding and disembarking, suggesting that most of the passengers were able-bodied and only using the service as a way to get on the aircraft first.
Pre-boarding scam at @SouthwestAir 20 passengers boarding using a wheelchair and probably only 3 need one to deplane. pic.twitter.com/3WyKuSWdtt
— Paul (@trendready) June 24, 2023
While airplane passengers might request a wheelchair for a plethora of reasons, many are taking to social media, accusing the airlines of allowing people to take advantage of the system. The policy allows all accompanying passengers of the disabled person to stay together during the pre-boarding process, leading some passengers to accuse one person of faking a disability for the sake of the entire group.
@SouthwestAir. The wheelchair scam continues this morning. How do a family of 'C' boarding Pre-board? Get grandma to sit in a wheelchair. Now the whole family (5) gets to accompany her. pic.twitter.com/JORUPaXdMr
— Paul (@trendready) June 25, 2023
Southwest quickly replied to the post: “We’re sorry for any disappointment, Paul. We work hard to maintain the integrity of the boarding process while providing appropriate accommodations for all who fly,” the airline representative apologized. “Since many disabilities aren’t visible, we’re unable to question the validity of preboarding requests.”
Dozens of frustrated customers took to the comments, condemning the airline, alleging they were in a comparable situation. The Twitter user who posted the original complaint proceeded to offer a solution in the comments section: “How about making all those passengers who board with a wheelchair wait for the entire plane to deplane. That will stop the scam. Maybe Southwest should do the research and count how many wheelchairs are needed at the destination. Use the data to make policy.”
According to Southwest’s policy, “customers who require assistance must identify themselves as needing wheelchair assistance upon arrival to the airport, at any connection points, and upon arrival to their destination.”
Add comment