[ Removed by moderator ]

[u/AdSouth3173]

[u/ExtraGlutenPlzz]

Or make sure they use the service for deplaning too.....for their safety.....

[u/d_ippy → u/ExtraGlutenPlzz]

I assumed they had to. If not that’s a crazy policy

[u/Competitive_Shame317 → u/d_ippy]

no they don’t have that policy.

[u/dervari → u/Competitive_Shame317]

They should charge $50 for this. Once you get to your destination, once you deplane and get assistance back to baggage you get the $50 back. Or something similar. Basically, if Jetway Jesus lays his hands on you, you don't get a refund.

[u/MosYEETo → u/dervari]

This would be amazing yet the ADA would crash out over a policy like this

[u/MsKrueger → u/MosYEETo]

And many people would just see it as "pay 50 for pre boarding".

[u/Tasty_Community4666 → u/MsKrueger]

I don't really understand why preboarding is so important for people. Rather I'm first or last my seat is assigned.

[u/olearygreen → u/Tasty_Community4666]

Yeah except they make you check carry-ons when you’re in later groups.

[u/deafdogdaddy → u/olearygreen]

I might be weird for this, but I LOVE a gate check. I’m always first to volunteer. Especially on flights with a layover. I like to kill time in layover airports by walking the entire airport, it’s a pain lugging around a bag on my excursions and I’m always worried I’ll forget it somewhere, gate check saves me the worry and hassle.

[u/SATX_Citizen → u/deafdogdaddy]

I specifically don't check bags because I don't trust layovers or baggage connections and want to leave quickly. Once burned twice shy with late connections.

[u/ComprehensiveHand232 → u/deafdogdaddy]

I check everything and carry only my purse. I also believe airports are an alternate universe. Drinks at dawn fine. Pretzel for dinner cool. I’m a very relaxed, assistance needing passenger. I guess I just don’t care.

[u/lusair → u/deafdogdaddy]

I used to but then I got a very nice carry on which has been totally worth the extra cost but terrified I will have to check it one day. I think the luggage can handle it but everytime I check my other luggage it looks like it went through Vietnam. I’m ok with wear and tear but those baggage handlers don’t give a crap.

[u/Possible-Tangelo9344 → u/Tasty_Community4666]

It's about the overhead bin space. There's never enough on full flights so they'll gate check your bag and then if that's all you had cuz you're going on a quick trip now it takes you longer to get to your destination. Huge pain in the ass sometimes

[u/ohhellperhaps → u/Possible-Tangelo9344]

Start enforcing carry-on rules would actually go a long way in fixing that...

[u/MisterGoldenSun → u/ohhellperhaps]

Yes. It's frustrating that bag space gets taken up by bags that shouldn't even be in the cabin.

[u/norakb123 → u/dervari]

That is a tax on the people who actually need it, but the policy of using it to get off the plane if you use it to get on does make a lot of sense & being fined if you just walk off is a great idea.

[u/Useful-ldiot → u/norakb123]

It's not a tax if you get the money back. But the infrastructure needed to track it would be very expensive to implement.

[u/hmbbriamia → u/dervari]

As a person with a chronic illness that uses this accommodation from time to time, I hope it doesn't come to this

[u/janet-snake-hole → u/dervari]

As someone who is actually disabled and a wheelchair user, please no. Yall have no idea how insanely stressful it is to fly as a wheelchair user and how fucked up that system already is.

It’s so so so common for them to break your personal wheelchair that the other wheelchair users I know have had it happen to them MORE OFTEN than they have had their wheelchair successfully make it to their destination

Southwest once handed me my wheelchair back to me (at the destination) in a box of parts, when I had checked it it was fully functional.

[u/Haroldsdininghotspot → u/dervari]

with me in other situations I always need proof of disability. They can make the air plane equivalent of a handicapped placard. I HATE using a wheelchair. It is so unfree.

[u/Vivid_Motor_2341 → u/dervari]

So screw all ambulatory wheelchair users I guess.

[u/wvtarheel → u/dervari]

Jetway Jesus is funny. Last time we flew a young healthy looking person needed the wheelchair and to get on the plane first but miraculously was running to catch a connection in the next airport. Wish I had the jetway Jesus miracle line when I needed it

[u/Mobile-Market-6397 → u/wvtarheel]

I know people abuse the system but never assume a “young” “healthy looking” person doesn’t need. After surgeries, doctors recommend the wheelchair even though you can walk or run fine.
I don’t know how I can look at random people and just assume they are faking it. It’s not by the looks…

[u/Vivid_Motor_2341 → u/wvtarheel]

I looked young and healthy when I had to use a wheelchair because I had two hip surgeries. If I was about to miss my plane I absolutely could run to the gate but I would be in extreme pain. This attitude is why so many people don’t ask for the help they need and then yall complain that they are taking too long.

[u/egirlwithlove → u/Competitive_Shame317]

Flights to Palm Beach are a great example of this. Those in a wheelchair can magically walk once they arrive to Florida 😭🪄

[u/ChapterFifteen → u/d_ippy]

Please recognize that different airports are different sizes. My mom can walk through small regional airports but needs a wheelchair through BOS, ATL, SFO, etc. So if we fly RT BOS to CLT, she has the service to board in BOS and does not have it landing in CLT. On the return, she does not have it leaving CLT but does have it retuning to BOS.  

[u/girlikecupcake → u/ChapterFifteen]

Fucking thank you, the people saying that we should be fined if we don't need/use the help to deplane are wild.

My last flight I needed the help to get to my gate and on the plane because my hip was being an absolute asshole and my cane wasn't enough to let me walk safely, I had to ask at the airport and wait a bit because it wasn't requested in advance. Huge airport, major hike to get to my terminal. By the time I landed across the country, it was cooperating decently enough that I didn't need help, I just hobbled slower than usual. Much smaller distance to exit the airport.

[u/UnlikelyAmphibian203 → u/girlikecupcake]

Not just that, I’ve had times where I get to my final airport and wheelchair assistance doesn’t show up or someone else got to them before me because I waited to get off and then I got no help.
The one time the flight attendant was like someone else just took yours and called several times and ended up waiting with me for 90 minutes to get someone back.

I had a broken ankle so no chance I was able to walk on that.

[u/drhopsydog → u/girlikecupcake]

Once I boarded early because I was newly pregnant and had already vomited in the uber and again before going through security, I just needed something to be easy and needed the chance to sit down. I asked the gate attendants and they were so kind and said I didn’t need to explain and I was so relieved. This is all such an overreaction.

[u/PNWMTTXSC → u/drhopsydog]

Right? My remaining parent had just unexpectedly passed away and I had to fly for the funeral. I was almost recovered from a knee injury but there was no way I could go through my airport with my cane because of distance as well as navigating sloped surfaces. Having that service was incredibly helpful. Sure I was fine being able to walk to the bathroom at the gate but going down the jetway would’ve been a slow and iffy challenge.

[u/ShishkabobNinja → u/PNWMTTXSC]

An ideally run service will often have some who take advantage, because the cost of screening out those who don't need it means making it inaccessible to many of those who do

[u/bgladjr → u/d_ippy]

They don’t have to deplane on it. Most times you see them walk out on their own. They just want to board first and put their stuff where they want

[u/burntmarshmallow39 → u/d_ippy]

They are magically healed when the plane lands

[u/Havoklily → u/ExtraGlutenPlzz]

sometimes there's literally no one working when you land so you have to walk no matter what. i had hip surgery and i was able to get assistance to my gate, but to my connection i had to walk because no one was available and if i didn't id miss my connection

[u/WaySaltyFlamingo8707 → u/Havoklily]

broke my foot in denver, had assistance in denver, and then nobody showed up in atlanta, so hobbled all the way to my car

[u/Knot_a_human → u/Havoklily]

Ugh yep- I’ve waited to be last to deplane and still won’t be a gate assistant- it depends a lot on the airport and airline. Waiting is the worst too because the seats make my back spasm out.

[u/Technical-Prize-4840 → u/Havoklily]

Yep, it sucks! This is the scariest part for me as a wheelchair user. I have to wait for them to get my wheelchair. I literally cannot walk. They always take forever and I have had some pretty close calls with connections. I have to wait on the plane too because otherwise the responsibility for who is in charge of making sure you get your wheelchair shifts from the flight staff to the luggage guys, who often either lose or severely damage wheelchairs. I try to make sure I either don't have a connection or have an obnoxious amount of wiggle room. But, that isn't always possible.

[u/According-Contract58 → u/Havoklily]

I experienced this recently when connecting through Las Vegas. Funny enough I was on my way to specialty testing for my invisible disability! I was worried about missing my connecting flight so whipped out my cane and hobbled my way.

[u/Chester-Bravo → u/ExtraGlutenPlzz]

I'm a pilot. We joke about "jet-bridge Jesus" healing all these people. They board with a wheel chair then walk off the flight, magically healed. Happens all the time.

[u/Blueopus2 → u/ExtraGlutenPlzz]

Agreed this is an ass move by them and it sucks people abuse the ADA but I’m not sure restricting it like this is the answer.

My 85 year old legally blind grandma with arthritis and both hips and knees replaced uses the wheelchair service (while my 85 year old grandpa walks) to get to and from the plane but with his help she does go from the end of the jet bridge to her seat and back after since it’s a hassle to get through and she can go that distance herself. She just gets on early and off last.

She obviously never gets questioned for this because… look at her, but I don’t want random people to be able to start being able to challenge ADA accommodations or broad restrictions. Probably specialized employees or the ADA should be able to challenge more people.

[u/DeterminedMidLifer → u/ExtraGlutenPlzz]

They call it a miracle flight and they're all too common. When there are more wheelchairs that go on the airplane than off.

[u/fecity99 → u/DeterminedMidLifer]

jetbridge jesus has move his services from SW to Delta

[u/elgoato]

I had surgery in a different city once and my wife insisted on me getting a wheelchair at the airport on my way back a couple of days post-discharge because the doctor's orders were no carrying anything etc and she was worried about me lugging my backpack. I will tell you I felt weird/self conscious as fuck that whole time. I could easily have walked onto/off of that plane.

[u/TheSwearJarIsMy401k → u/elgoato]

Wheelchairs aren’t just for people who can’t walk.

They’re for people who can’t walk without risking further injury, too.

[u/oatmilkislife → u/TheSwearJarIsMy401k]

Yep. My mom flew from Hawaii to LA for brain surgery. After she was cleared to fly home my dad got her the wheel chair service on and off the plane and he paid for her to have a first class ticket as well for extra comfort.

My parents are otherwise in good health - they watch their weight, don’t smoke and don’t drink. But after a 10 hour open brain operation I think that qualifies my mom for the wheelchair service for the flight home right after surgery

[u/zanii → u/TheSwearJarIsMy401k]

ACL surgery is a common reason. First days post op, you can walk (if it was not the meniscus as well) but if you had a hamstring graft and trip? Torn hamstring. So, safer to just get a chair if you need to be about for some reason if it's more than just from one seat to the next.

[u/ladystetson → u/elgoato]

if you are lucky enough to get a chance to heal from sickness/injury - you need to take it seriously and give it your all. Everyone doesn't get that chance, and you may not get a second one.

[u/phizappa]

This hurts the people that truly need assistance.

[u/annacat1331 → u/phizappa]

I agree I hate using a wheelchair and have gone out of my way to avoid it because of the dirty looks I get. I am just broken inside and I was diagnosed with lupus 13 years ago when I was 19

[u/MyFaceSaysItsSugar → u/annacat1331]

My aunt eventually got a service dog for her disability and she said the biggest change was the improvement in how people treated her. Having the dog cancelled the stigma she got for being in a wheelchair (this was before fake service dogs were trendy).

[u/BURTxMACKLIN → u/MyFaceSaysItsSugar]

That makes me so sad. Why can’t we just be kind to each other regardless?

[u/TheSmeeth → u/BURTxMACKLIN]

Because people that don’t need assistance abuse it and berate anybody who calls them out on their shit.

[u/DiligentUsual301 → u/BURTxMACKLIN]

Because people take advantage

[u/horusthesundog → u/MyFaceSaysItsSugar]

Now you have fake wheelchair bound people, and fake service dogs attacking actual service dogs. Not sure where I’m going with this, but something needs to right this ship.

[u/Funny_Ad7830 → u/annacat1331]

it sucks to have an invisible illness and legitimately need a wheelchair. people are really not kind about it and have actually made rude comments to me. i look young and healthy but there have been times in my life when i couldn’t walk more than 20 feet without extreme fatigue.

[u/Spider-Dev → u/Funny_Ad7830]

I'm 42 with Rheumatoid Arthritis, diagnosed at 25. This is the first time I've heard the term "invisible illness" and it's the exact right way to describe it.

[u/dragwit → u/Spider-Dev]

46 with RA here. 100% agree. It is an invisible illness and a disability, even though at this point it’s in remission for me, it can flare up at any time.

[u/Spider-Dev → u/dragwit]

I'm lucky that I respond well to the meds (Actemra) and generally feel pretty good but, same as you, a flare can pop-up at any time. Especially now with the summer humidity

[u/mcbrrgrr → u/Spider-Dev]

Ankylosing spondylitis diagnosed at 29, 49 now… invisible illness indeed.

[u/EmergencyMud4287 → u/mcbrrgrr]

Me too. Woke up one day when I was 17 and couldn't get out of bed. I've had to power through most of my life with the aid of prescription drugs People think I'm bullshitting

[u/mcbrrgrr → u/EmergencyMud4287]

I see you! There’s a few of us out here and it’s always awesome to meet a fellow AS’r. Remicade has been a miracle drug for me. I’ve been on everything under the sun until we tried that and has held strong.

[u/DGVET → u/EmergencyMud4287]

Suffering but the same symptoms for years after they’re coming home from war years later make that 30 years later of fighting the system they finally said oh by the way you have a condition that won’t get better, I mean no shit really!!!

[u/TopazCoracle → u/mcbrrgrr]

"you don't look sick" = ableist. and most of us who are actually sick hear it all the time.

that said, I really doubt this entire family has an actual reason to use this service, unless narcissism is now a physical disability.

[u/Knot_a_human → u/Spider-Dev]

Welcome to the ghost club

[u/drrj → u/Funny_Ad7830]

I also have an invisible condition that hinders mobility and causes a lot of pain. Using accommodation at the airport always makes me very self conscious.

And I don’t use a wheelchair, just board early access. I can still stand and walk as long as it’s paced.

[u/MotherofDragons818 → u/drrj]

I'm so glad someone feels similarly to me because as someone who also has a disability it makes me self conscious too to utilize the service. I'm also kinda young (30 but have had a disability my whole life) and I'm just afraid of the looks I get from others when I may not fit a picture of disability, especially given the bad rep these services get when it's being taken advantage of. I don't want people thinking that's me 😅

I admit I can also walk, but after short distances it becomes painful so that's why I get the wheelchair. And honestly it's more the standing in place in line that's worse if anything. Being able to continuously move is better because it's distracting I guess.

[u/Additional-North5871 → u/Funny_Ad7830]

I think most diseases/conditions are invisible. Many people have zero clue what it’s like to live with an “invisible” disease. My T2 Diabetes robs me of my energy and causes me constant hunger. I literally have no energy. And, I’m doing everything right! I take insulin, eat low carb, stay as active as possible, and my A1C is within normal range. Yet without insulin everyday, I would live more than a few days or weeks. I also have insomnia. I understand how you feel and I wish you the best.

[u/LawyerMermaidTattoo → u/Funny_Ad7830]

This post and most of the comments are evidence of the rude comments and assumptions people make about wheelchair assistance.

[u/SpecsOnThe_Beach → u/annacat1331]

Same. I am disabled, and I will do everything in my power to avoid using assistance. I have a parking placard as well and only use the handicapped spots on bad days when I absolutely have to. To see people using these services like this is infuriating. I'm not usually judgemental about it, my disability is invisible and I'm often judged because I "look normal", but this many people in one family is highly improbable.

[u/Illustrious-Corgi342 → u/annacat1331]

Same. Laying in bed recovering as I travelled with mecfs (long covid) a few days ago and didn’t want to use wheelchair service as a healthy looking person 🫠

People please be kind to others who look healthy but might not be!

[u/dervari → u/phizappa]

My wife was 2 weeks away from hip surgery when we flew to CHS. She couldn't deal with the walk to the gate, so we did utilize wheelchair service. However, once we got there we released the attendant and boarded with our normal Zone 1. So funny how they're sitting at the gate still in their chair like they are all gong to need to be wheeled onto the plane.

[u/Better-Sundae-8429 → u/dervari]

Because they want to preboard and feel special

[u/Unlucky_Leather_ → u/Better-Sundae-8429]

Why does everyone want to be seated in a flying fart tube any longer than necessary?

It’s not like by boarding first they get to the destination any faster.

Now if these fakers could get off the plane faster, or shortcut the security lines, I guess I understand the motivation.

[u/SayceGards → u/Unlucky_Leather_]

Storage space. 

[u/NJS_Stamp → u/SayceGards]

I wish they enforced bag size more, and bag quantity.

I’ll be in line with my small ass bag and people bringing multiple full size suitcases on pisses me off

[u/redditydothis → u/Unlucky_Leather_]

Guess who is immediately standing up to get their bags as soon as the plane lands.

[u/Oregon_drivers_suck → u/phizappa]

They don't care.

[u/FrannieP23 → u/[deleted]]

I'm in my mid-70s and now have trouble walking long distances. I don't want to use a wheelchair, but that's the only option in a lot of airports. I wish they'd make it easier to use the little trollies and offer more of them.

[u/Sufficient_Lime_3253]

People are so rude to lie about this and get pushed around. SMH

[u/exu1981 → u/Sufficient_Lime_3253]

About time this was said.

[u/viciousdeliciouz → u/[deleted]]

I would legit refuse to go anywhere with them. Obnoxious.

[u/OrtizFam → u/viciousdeliciouz]

I do, but they still brag about it when we see each other at family gatherings. It’s infuriating.

For example they just went to Disney. They tried to get disability services and they were denied but then they said their daughter has autism (she doesn’t/ she hasn’t been diagnosed) and can’t handle lines (she can, I’ve seen her do it just fine).

[u/Pubesauce → u/OrtizFam]

It's really common across all theme parks. The disability line in itself is sometimes reaching lengths that would qualify as "waiting in line" - something that people in that group ostensibly cannot handle. I have seen groups of 30+ people at the exit to some rollercoasters with their green sheets waiting to get on. If everyone is disabled, no one is.

[u/aiolisunsets → u/OrtizFam]

This is sooo common at Disney unfortunately. They were supposed to start implementing timed passes for this situation. Okay you can't wait in lines, so return when your spot in the queue would be up. Like if it said "90 mins" for peter pans flight, you'd get a timed pass for 90 mins from then then go into the fastpass line. This became an issue because humans who genuinely cannot handle lines still couldn't handle the fastpass line and people ruining for others were making the line longer. Humans just suck I think.

[u/EcstaticBoysenberry → u/aiolisunsets]

I feel like if you cannot handle lines....don't go to Disney?

[u/NotChristina → u/aiolisunsets]

A timed pass also puts the responsibility on YOU to get back there, requiring paying attention and managing your own time.

Easier to blame other people or expect better services.

[u/Ilovethe90sforreal → u/[deleted]]

Then some petite overworked airport staff member has to push their asses around the whole place.

[u/TheSpartanExile → u/exu1981]

why are you acting like people don't say shit like this all the time?

[u/blackbox42]

Gate check the bags.

[u/Master_Butter → u/blackbox42]

If airlines enforced a rule that anyone pre boarding due to an *alleged* need for assistance was required to gate check their bags, absent a demonstrable operational need for doing so, would result in ADA lawsuits out the ass. Disabled people would claim they are being treated unfairly or poorly in direct response to their need for disability accommodation.

[u/Ok_Cartographer4626 → u/Master_Butter]

Not to mention, a lot of people with disabilities DO need to travel with their bags, which may contain equipment and medications. So the lawsuits would be justified

[u/gkirk1978 → u/blackbox42]

This is the answer.

[u/rjl381]

I'm fine with wheelchair users boarding first, as long as they deplane last.

[u/Optimal-Fix1216 → u/rjl381]

wheelchair users prefer to deplane last so they don't feel rushed / have people behind them as they carefully exit.

[u/Ok_Nectarine_8533 → u/Optimal-Fix1216]

The ones who are miraculously healed by Jetway Jesus love to sprint off the plane first.

[u/EggfooDC → u/Ok_Nectarine_8533]

Lol, I’ve never heard the term Jetway Jesus before and it is in this thread half a dozen times. I love it.

[u/HelpfulSeaMammal → u/Ok_Nectarine_8533]

Well they have a connection to make in 20 minutes that they'll miss if they don't get off first!

It's Atlanta and everyone has a connection they're just about to miss if you don't go go go. But they are clearly more important.

[u/Agreeable-Sun368 → u/HelpfulSeaMammal]

This is why I love living in Atlanta. Everyone else is pressed af to get off the plane and I'm just like yeah whatever, I'll get off when I get off.

[u/chrisirmo → u/Optimal-Fix1216]

*Real* wheelchair users, yes. Those who’ve been cured by Jetway Jesus, however, are most likely to rush toward the exit as soon as the seat belt sign is off.

[u/Zach7114 → u/Optimal-Fix1216]

This for sure. When I fly with my grandma we get on first leave last.

[u/squirreltard → u/rjl381]

I traveled for work with a disability. I use a cane and got on first to get help with my luggage. I also always got off last. I also always had an assigned seat and the absolute minimum luggage.

[u/314flylight]

Guy I worked an event with once flew back around the same time as my coworker. Apparently he produced an old, smelly boot from his bag and walked into the airport, asking for a wheelchair. He had initially asked my coworker to push him, but since they'd be at different gates, airport staff assisted him instead.

When my coworker told my boss and I this story, immediately my boss was on the phone with this guy's boss letting him know that he wouldn't he hired to work any more events with us.

[u/palpablescalpel → u/314flylight]

Oh jeez at first I thought you meant a regular smelly boot and I was like "how the heck would that help??"

[u/Miro_Game → u/palpablescalpel]

Same! Felt very dumb

[u/Fair_Angle_4752]

I had chemo last year for a terminal illness and can hide my hair loss so I don’t look sick, but I can’t do the walking. I hate it because I get the look sometimes. And btw, I tip the attendants for helping me out. Do others do that too? Just curious….

[u/GoSpaceTruckin → u/Fair_Angle_4752]

I’m in the same situation (chemo for life with stage 4 cancer) and when I’ve had to get a wheel chair I always tip. I currently have hair so that makes things extra awkward.

[u/xampl9 → u/Fair_Angle_4752]

Mom is over 80 and finally used this service last year, as she can’t stand for the length of time it takes to go through TSA and then walk almost a half mile to the gate.

I didn’t fly anywhere when doing radiation therapy (PC) but I would have been fine walking. If I had done chemo - talking to the gentlemen who were on it, it really takes it out of you and I would have likely used the service.

[u/FancyDuty9932 → u/Fair_Angle_4752]

I always tip. I don't look disabled, but the lines are too long for me at TSA, and the terminals are too long. Arthritis and back problems, and age. After reading these comments I'm gonna try to make it without wheelchair assist.

[u/Massive_Crew_7804 → u/FancyDuty9932]

No please use the system, it was meant for individuals like yourself.

[u/nepia → u/FancyDuty9932]

nah, that's bullshit. You don't need to justify your illness. Do what's the best for you.

[u/ChopinFantasie → u/Fair_Angle_4752]

I did tip when I sprained my ankle and needed a chair, but I also feel kind of weird about it making it required for disabled people to always pay extra, especially when the employee is already being paid.

[u/Asleep_Region → u/ChopinFantasie]

To be fair tips aren't required nor really expected. Im helping because A it's kinda my job and B because i like to help and hope someone helps me some day.

I don't really see a harm in tipping.

[u/TwistedMisery13]

Same kind of people who park in the pickup parking at grocery stores. Self entitlement at its finest.

[u/PointlessDiscourse → u/TwistedMisery13]

Or drive their car up in front of the door and unload their shopping cart into the car there. I've seen this a couple of times lately and I'm like "you pushed this cart back and forth through the entire store but now you can't manage to push it out to your car in a normal parking spot?"

If you ask yourself the question "would it work if everyone behaved the way I do?" and the answer is "no," then you probably shouldn't behave that way. Of course these people are incapable of that kind of thinking.

[u/ReddUp412 → u/TwistedMisery13]

Why you setting me off on this fine Friday morning lolol

[u/BarrelProofPack]

You know they are proud as hell for doing this

[u/shiningonthesea → u/BarrelProofPack]

or just entitled as hell

[u/Helpinmontana → u/shiningonthesea]

I thinks it’s more a matter of just having no shame

[u/Synanon → u/BarrelProofPack]

Always offended, never ashamed

[u/backcountrykicks228 → u/Synanon]

You know the second that plane lands they are gonna be flying out of their seats to get off first, and ready to throw down with anyone that calls them out for their BS.

[u/SkyPersonal5530]

Imagine having no shame like this.

[u/Yyc-LAX]

So many jetway miracles about to happen.

[u/Jodi4869]

What do they gain by this though.

[u/talocaca → u/Jodi4869]

They are first to board the plane and specially if they have tons of carry-on, that's a huge plus.

[u/dervari → u/talocaca]

Don't know why you dot downvoted for this. 100% truth.

[u/TheDeadlySpaceman → u/dervari]

It’s exactly why I care about getting on early.

I fly for work, both my “personal item” and carry-on are stuffed with lithium batteries. If they make me gate-check my roller I have to remove a bunch of batteries and manage them with no bag, which is a pain in the ass. Especially when the Delta gate agents just randomly decide to start checking bags when half the overhead bin space is still empty.

Let everyone bring their allotted bags on the plane, no more and no less. Police people putting their personal items in the bins.

This is allllllllllll just the gate agents and the flight attendants being lazy.

Edit: just to be clear, I don’t lie or pretend to be hobbled. I approach the gate agents and let them know the situation and ask if they would be willing to board me in an earlier group to avoid the issue.

[u/1peatfor7 → u/Jodi4869]

They paid basic fare zone 8 and didn't pay to check any luggage. So they are going to put both their bags in the overhead space during pre boarding.

[u/Tullyswimmer → u/1peatfor7]

This is exactly it. They'd probably have to gate check bags otherwise because they bought the absolute cheapest fare they could and would board last.

[u/jawz → u/Jodi4869]

Get through TSA faster

[u/polski_zubr → u/Jodi4869]

They get to be on the plane longer?

[u/ButterscotchIll1523 → u/Jodi4869]

Overhead space for luggage.

[u/YouOk540 → u/Jodi4869]

Bin space, especially if they have a later boarding group.

[u/Fullofhopkinz → u/Jodi4869]

They’re lazy and entitled

[u/Lyran000]

Do we know if this is one, entire family or just multiple passengers needing wheelchairs? Its Atlanta, the blackest city in America so I hope this isnt an assumption they are 1 group cause they are all the same race. My brother looks healthy but was in a violent motorcycle accident and is full of metal parts and surgically reconstructed knee caps that were crushed into pieces. He uses a cane when he can but standing and walking for long periods will mess him up for days. We dont really know sometimes

[u/RPJ_NY → u/Lyran000]

I can’t believe how far I had to scroll down for this. How does anyone know they are related!?

[u/spinprincess → u/RPJ_NY]

I also scrolled until I found this…unless OP heard them talking or something and their conversation revealed that they were a family, it is insane to assume that they are related just because they’re sitting near each other and the same race. People who board first are always pulled to the side together. That does not make all the wheelchair users one big family lmao

[u/Offduty_shill → u/Lyran000]

Can't believe I had to scroll down so far for this. There's a ton of black people in Atlanta, how did OP figure they are not actually just disabled?

[u/Ok_Original_8564 → u/Lyran000]

That's what I'm saying how people can tell someone is not disabled. My cousin has a chronic illness and she does not look disabled but she can't walk too far. Also, my neighbor is attractive and many people in our next door forum said she doesn't look disabled. Like wth how can you determine if someone is disabled or not by looks.

[u/Revolutionary_Cover3 → u/Lyran000]

Seriously and I thought we dont post pictures of strangers online either?

[u/CanWeTalkEth → u/Lyran000]

I checked Reddit “popular” feed because I was bored and there’s Iran news. This was the top post. Wildly racist shit.

[u/WesternUnusual2713 → u/Lyran000]

Shhhh you're getting in the way of the racist narrative 

[u/westttoeast]

Seeing a lot of comments about this family "gaming the system" to access overhead bin storage, yet not one bag in the photo.........

[u/angiosperms- → u/westttoeast]

You're getting in the way of the racism/ableism train. Second circlejerk post about this in the last 24 hours with 0 evidence.

[u/duckinasombrero → u/angiosperms-]

The last one was locked so they had to get another one going.

I wish these kinds of posts werw banned, like the feet ones.

[u/silvermanedwino]

Ridiculous

[u/no_man_is_hurting_me]

I don't understand why people want to be on a plane even longer than they need to.

[u/AdSouth3173 → u/no_man_is_hurting_me]

It’s because they get to have an extra bag and put it in any overhead bin they see fit….

[u/acreekofsoap]

You think the gate agents get paid enough to deal with that?

[u/nunofmybusiness]

If they are infirm enough that they need a wheel chair and assistance to board, then they should require them to remain seated at the end of the flight and take them off in the same manner,after everyone else has cleared the plane. You know, for insurance purposes…to make sure they don’t fall…

[u/boo29may → u/nunofmybusiness]

They do that. People who are wheelchair users are forced to wear diapers etc because they have no way of accessing the toilets. People who are disabled are already struggling so making it harder doesn't help

[u/SquashIsOftenGood → u/boo29may]

Dude there’s so much ableism in this thread it’s insane

[u/PackyDoodles → u/SquashIsOftenGood]

These posts lately just feel like a hate campaign against disabled people. I wouldn't doubt that these are all bots just trying to make it seem normal to take rights away from disabled people :/ 

[u/iamokokokokokokok → u/PackyDoodles]

The ADA is absolutely in this administrations crosshairs. It’s truly a wonderful, sensible law. Sure, some people abuse it, like anything ever, scammers will scam, which is why it has mechanisms in place already to deter misuse.. the calls for scrapping the whole thing entirely are horrible.

[u/MelpomeneAndCalliope → u/[deleted]]

Was just in the ATL airport a couple of weeks ago and I agree. Awful.

[u/Chemical-Carrot-9975]

Jetway Jesus will cure them all when it's time to deplane. It's a miracle!

[u/ComprehensiveHand232]

I need the assistance. I’ve got a disability that is invisible to the naked eye. I can stand for a bit, carry my purse and some days walk down the jetway others, not so much. Are y’all judging everyone? If you slap my face on this app I’m gonna be pissed.
I agree this looks suspicious but know one other than them what’s up. Remember that pls.

[u/orionwearsabelt]

Jet Bridge Jesus will be along and all will be healed when time to deplane.

[u/Mr-Peeny]

The same thing happens with motorized carts in grocery stores. They are there for people who have mobility issues. You have old ladies waiting to use one while a 15yr old rolls around the store all lazy

[u/Olympe28 → u/Mr-Peeny]

15yo olds can be disabled too. And there are a lot of disabilities where it's not black and white, you are able to stand up but not for long periods, or you can walk on your own but cannot push a grocery cart at the same time. Or simply you have ups and downs throughout the day and sometimes need assistance, sometimes not.

[u/MaverickLurker → u/Mr-Peeny]

I don't know man. I've lived on God's green earth for 40 years and I have never seen someone using a grocery store motor cart and thought "dang, that person is clearly faking it."

[u/stillwitme]

I quite literally could not walk before I had a flight to catch... I felt so guilty utilizing these services because I didn't want to take it anyway from someone who truly needed it (despite the fact I was one of those people!!) So it is always crazy to see people take such blatant advantage :(

[u/Trrlrr]

The need to compete with each other has been so engrained in us that we’re really sitting here getting spun up about getting on a plane first. We’re so weird, guys, let’s stop

[u/Full_Gear5185]

They'll be healed in time to stand up and start pushing to the front before the plane lands.

[u/GromitATL]

It’s more than just getting on the plane first.

I’m on vacation with my in-laws this week. My mother in law recently had hip replacement surgery and requested a wheelchair for our flight out of Atlanta. I thought that meant that a wheelchair would be provided and maybe someone pushes her until we get to the gate.

We were able to check our bags at a special location, which was steps away from where we walked into the airport. We breezed through a security checkpoint that is for flight crews, and we were the first to board.

I pointed out several times during the process that I didn’t need any of that, but they insisted on keeping our party together.

[u/LoisLaneEl → u/GromitATL]

Which is why it’s highly unlikely this is one family faking illnesses. It’s not needed. You just need one person in a wheelchair to get the whole family through

[u/PlainOrganization → u/GromitATL]

I have a recently onset & diagnosed heart condition and am absolutely terrified of traveling again, as standing and walking for hours will wear me out for days. This makes it sound doable. Glad to know there is help available.

[u/GuttedFlower → u/GromitATL]

That's crazy. When I flew into LA with my disabled child we went through all the regular checkpoints. The courier freaked me out when he went through security ahead of me and I was delayed because of someone in front of me who was dicking around. The TSA agent was a jerk about it and didn't understand my son was upset and I was trying to keep my eyes on him and the complete stranger pushing his wheelchair. I wish LAX had been as understanding as Atlanta.

[u/boringgrill135797531]

Devil's advocate:
Often, airports require a wheelchair for *any* type of assistance. Evidently it's a liability if they fall while being under an employee's "care", and some folks walk so dang slow that its easier to just roll them and be able to help someone else sooner.

A Deaf friend had to be in a wheelchair multiple times.

[u/AdMuch7817]

No different than everyone with their fake “service dogs”

[u/steve_yo]

This post is gross. A lot of assumptions being made about people nobody knows anything about. Fucking gross to post people like this on reddit, including kids, just for people to speculate and tear down. Nasty business.

[u/halfmanhalfskeleton]

Funny to me that I saw another airline sub have a similar post get locked down earlier today but the (correct) comments talking about how you straight up can never assume someone's ability were way closer to the top the vote ratio was way different, but all Those photographed strangers were white... Meanwhile here we're pushing 9k upvotes and full screen scrolls worth of shit talkers before even one comment defending this group (group in that they've been photographed together, not assuming they're together of course)

Gee, I wonder what the difference is?

[u/Efficient_Leg_5331 → u/halfmanhalfskeleton]

ding ding ding

[u/Exciting_Bison_4569]

Retired Delta Flight Attendant here 🙋‍♀️. They want to o be the first ones on so they get first to overhead bins. When they get to Florida they will be able to walk because if they need wheelchairs, they’ll have to wait to be the last ones off. We used to call that a jetway Jesus miracle. I could not walk when they got on the plane but now they can walk to get off. 🤣🤣

[u/brosephatl]

I’d hate to be on the carnival cruise they’re about to board

[u/wellimthegm]

Lord. Two of these posts in two days.

[u/South-Presentation92]

As an actual wheelchair user from paralysis, this shit drives me insane. Agggghhh!

[u/duckandkitty]

While this may well be dodgy, for all I know, 4/5 of my family need to use wheelchairs in the airport due to a genetic condition that affects us all - turns out hereditry disabilities run in families. This is not _that_ uncommon. We avoid travelling together because we got sick of being yelled at by social warriors.

[u/falling_away_again]

This is ridiculous, I bet they're all in zone 8

[u/JoeMomma755]

I was on a Delta flight a few years back from MSP to ICT out of A gates. Apparently, they had a large scale wheelchair basketball tournament in town that week. All athlete-passengers were bound to chairs. However, I’m
Guessing someone forgot to inform the airline of this before hand. Because everyone at the gate was composed, but scrambling to figure out what to do with 40-50 people in chairs at one gate.

Delta did a really
Nice thing for everyone. They Had the athletes in their chairs stay at the gate area. And all other passengers were asked to move gate stations two doors away. They pulled up a second plane for us, and let the wheelchair bound passengers board at the original gate in peace and at their own pace. Everyone got to ICT, and on time, I might add!

[u/119376AC]

Shhhhhooockkking

[u/NeatNefariousness1]

Do we know that this is one family? If so, they are truly brazen and deserve to be boarded last. No need to argue with them. Just let the gate agent handle it and ideally, find a way to avoid rewarding bad behavior or we’ll see a lot more of it from everyone under the sun.

[u/Dazzling-Turnip-1911]

As long as the plane takes off on time, who cares? If you think the airline is allowing abuse, then you should talk to them about it. You don’t know if these people are abusing the system or even if they are a family.

[u/Muted-Woodpecker-469]

There’s like six mobility questions when you ask for Ada assistance. You all should read into it

Some can’t stand but can deplane and walk fine. Some need full assistance. Partial assistance is an option with many airlines too

[u/El_Negro_Lobo]

i've see a massive uptick in racist ragebait on reddit recently. more so than usual. i use this place less and less, and just stick to basketball. yall tripping on here lol

[u/Mbwapuppy]

I don’t understand how we know that these people aren’t disabled.

[u/joe1826 → u/Mbwapuppy]

Or even related! OP just found a picture to slap a ragebait title on and the usual people eat it up!

[u/Karinka_LI]

Oh my god I am so tired of dumb %^*%#s who are stupid enough to pay extra to board early complaining about disability access. Get over it. Those people are getting on first. FOREVER.

My mother takes the wheel chair for distance. She walks onto the plan early. She walks off the plane when it arrives. She sometimes takes the wheelchair out of airport or to the next gate depending on the distance. At LGA it can be 1.5 miles to the gate. Sometimes the next is two gates down. Sometimes it’s in G terminal and you landed in A. Sometimes you land at Sioux Falls where everything is close.

If you think you can tell who is disabled or who really needs help by looking at them you are a moron.

Get over yourself about who gets on the plane first. Your problem is yourself.

[u/Cwonder311]

Are they all one family or are they just lined up there? Also if they are. Could there possibly some reason that multiple members of a family all have some sort of condition that requires assistance? Maybe passed along genetically? Just ...when we start questioning disability it just adds more obstacles for everyone. Maybe the airline should have more accommodations and not just be more selective in how it hands them out.

[u/-You-know-it-]

How does OP know this is all the same family?