@dfwskier Those incidents are the couple that I had thought of, but they are more as a courtesy to other guests and make little difference to the person in question and their boarding position. There are bathrooms in the rear of the plane also and they are statistically used less than the front. If they REALLY need an aisle seat because of their invisible disability they should probably pay for Early Bird and they will have no issue. Im trying not to sound evil but I really dont get it...especially growing up with a Father that suffers sudden bladder issues as an effect of his Spinabifida. He didn't/doesnt use it so maybe thats where I get it from. This is my last reply, happy travels all!
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@TheMiddleSeat We will never come to an agreement on this subject and it would be nice if you would at least admit there are people who are abusing it and that is why there are multiple chains on this subject. 2 women that can keep up with a fit marathoner walking a quarter mile thru an airport have no special need or disability that seat 1A suits them better than seat 20A. Really, I cant think of much for disabilties that their experience/comfort is any different in seat 1A v. 20A. Somebody with physical limitations I certainly understand the difference. It really bothers me more than it should, but as a rule follower I cant stand it when somebody does not.
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Apparently SWA agrees with me, unfortunately their gate agents are too nice and likely bullied/guilted by many customers for pre-board services. Below is copied/pasted from SWA FAQ about pre-boarding and it politely says their must be a physical issue, immobilization or a device needing to be stowed. Preboarding is available for Customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability and/or need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device. If a Customer with a disability simply needs a little extra time to board, we will permit the Customer to board before Family Boarding, between the “A” and “B” groups. Those Customers who need extra time to board will receive a new boarding pass with an extra time designation. The designation serves as notification to our Operations (boarding) Agent that the Customer should be permitted to board before Family Boarding. So when two old ladies can walk the pace of a 43 year old, fit marathoner they DON'T need extra time to board so according to the SWA rule, they shouldnt pre-board. Thank you SWA corporate and legal team for thinking logically, please pass it down the pipe to your agents AND your bloggers that give advice even though they are "not an employee of Southwest and not authorized to speak on behalf of the Company. The thoughts and opinions shared on the Southwest Airlines Community are their own."
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Good examples. Being tall is not a preboard qualifier. Second, it sounds like she walked up to the gate since “she looked fine to you”. If she can walk up to the gate why exactly does she need to preboard? Those are terrible surgeries she had but weren't too recent. If she has recurring pain from the surgeries preboarding really isn’t making a difference so why use it? I just think physical inability or immobilization are they only real reasons to preboard. As I have said before I grew up with a one legged Father with Spinabifida (two invisible disabilities) and he could use the preboard option but he does not NEED to.
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I know, I typically do not pass any judgements growing up with a one legged Father that has Spinabifida. I learned from him, exactly what I am saying "if I am physically capable, why do I need to use the handicap pass or pre-board a flight". Youre right, price isnt really even a factor so I should have left it out. The problem is, these women were just fine and people like them will eventually ruin it for the people who really need it...the system IS being abused.
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They had no visible physical inabilities and that I think is the difference infact they seemed quite the opposite. They walked briskly a quarter mile to their gate. If they can do that without assistance what reason do they really have to get on the plane first, especially when they bought the cheapest fare possible putting them in C boarding. A humanitarian that is aware of their unseen disability that perhaps, cant stand for too long, or needs an aisle seat to get up often can easily buy the Wanna Get Away fare and either A. pay $15 for Early Bird OR B. ask the agent at the gate if the flight is full and pay a small fee to upgrade if needed. A person who can barely walk, arrives in a chair, or has other serious "physical inabilities" should absolutely pre-board.
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Agree, some disabilities cannot be seen but I am in agreement, it has gotten out of control. Just this weekend I experienced the same thing and the same feelings. 2 older women went thru security just in front of me and proceeded to walk the same path as me to the same gate. Being near these women for 30+ minutes I clearly noticed them over and over. When prompted to board I was business class A1 and they lines up as pre-board right in front of where I was standing. I could also see one of their boarding passes which read C-13. Their fare was substantially cheaper than mine, no heavy bags, they were not "physically" inable but they worked the system. The problem in our world is too many people lack the humanitarian trait, they only care about themselves. My father is 65 and handicap, has Spinobifida and one prostetic leg but he DOES NOT pre-board because he is physically able and also doesnt use handicap parking..."it should be reserved for people who really need it".
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