Wheelchair Scam

[JJReyes]

A Southwest Airlines passenger observed and later complained about an apparent scam.  20 passengers were using wheelchairs for boarding the aircraft, but only 3 required wheelchairs when disembarking.  Most of the economy seats on Southwest Airlines are first come, first served.  Priority boarding allows you to select.  A family of 5 gets grandma to seat in a wheelchair and the entire group gets priority boarding.  It also happens in Las Vegas.  People rent motorized wheelchairs to avoid long waiting lines at the buffet restaurant.  They can use the separate entry reserved for the casino's VIPs.

Something similar takes place on Philippine Airlines flights to and from the United States.  There are usually more than 25 passengers in wheelchairs, many don't have visible disabilities.  At local airports, the wheelchair attendants are forbidden to accept tips, so the exchange has to be palm to palm, but many don't tip.  My question is, "Are Filipinos ahead of Americans in starting a new scam?"

Edited June 28, 2023 by JJReyes

[JJReyes]

I forgot to add.  Social Media is now referring to Southwest Airlines as, "miracle flights."  17 out of 20 passengers are "cured" when they arrive at their destination.

[Freebie]

They refer to miracle flights on PAL and have done for past 20 years.

Nothing new here.

On some PAL flights they have the absurd situation where a person in wheelchair is accompanied by 20 family members in the PWD /Senior line.

Having been near the front of the line and 20 people edged in front of me, I suggested ( politely ) to an Immigration fellow that this wasn't right.

He concurred and 18 accompanying family members were told to go to the healthy and able line.

[Possum]

A few weeks ago on a KAL flight from Inchon to Manila I noticed the same thing. Many people in wheelchairs in Inchon but walked right off the plane in Manila. I mentioned this to my wife who said it's the same culture you see in the mall parking lots. People waiting for a long time idling, using gas and AC for a parking space near the entrance rather than parking and walking 100 or 200 meters. Lazy people to whom time means nothing with a me first way of thinking but they are the first to complain about the price of gas or diesel. She also reminded me these are the same people who won't use their windshield wipers in the rain to save wear and tear on the wipers and hate to use brakes for the same reason. There is no logic, just part of the culture. She's right.

[longway]

I was standing in the Senior line at LAX International along with about 30 other folks all waiting for ticketing to open. One couple, seniors, but much younger than me had 4 young family members standing with them hoping to slide through with the seniors. But it got even better. One of the young family member walked off, found a wheel chair, and brought it back for pops to sit in it during our wait. That's all it took, Soon an Airline attendant came over, pushed the guy to the head of the line along with his entourage and all moved together through baggage check in,  immigration, and TSA check, pushed by an airport employee and moving always to the head of the line, then the guy abandoned the wheel chair and walked the rest of the way through the airport to the gate. We were on the same to Manila flight. When they got to the plane they grabbed another wheel chair to board early and they all 6 did ahead of everyone else. It's a scam and as long as the airlines allow it they better buy a lot more wheel chairs. Everyone who saw this probably thought about doing the same thing next time they fly. I know I did. How to control it is the question. 

[Old55]

My dear wife may have been involved in that at CEB recently.

An attendant approached her asking if she needed a wheelchair to "help" and she was able to jump to the head of the lines. She could have legitimately requested assistance  due to having Lupus but is able to get around better than I.

[BrettGC]

I'm never in any hurry to get on the plane anyway, I tend to be at the back of the line to avoid the crush.  If it delays the departure is the only time I get a little antsy.  

[Gator]

1 hour ago, longway said:

I was standing in the Senior line at LAX International along with about 30 other folks all waiting for ticketing to open. One couple, seniors, but much younger than me had 4 young family members standing with them hoping to slide through with the seniors. But it got even better. One of the young family member walked off, found a wheel chair, and brought it back for pops to sit in it during our wait. That's all it took, Soon an Airline attendant came over, pushed the guy to the head of the line along with his entourage and all moved together through baggage check in,  immigration, and TSA check, pushed by an airport employee and moving always to the head of the line, then the guy abandoned the wheel chair and walked the rest of the way through the airport to the gate. We were on the same to Manila flight. When they got to the plane they grabbed another wheel chair to board early and they all 6 did ahead of everyone else. It's a scam and as long as the airlines allow it they better buy a lot more wheel chairs. Everyone who saw this probably thought about doing the same thing next time they fly. I know I did. How to control it is the question. 

The airlines, at least in the USA, are forbidden to ask for proof of a disability so the scam will continue unless they change their policies about pre-boarding. Unless Congress changes the law about that, then I doubt there is any way to truly control it. 

One comment I read that might help said that if someone requests a wheelchair to board then they should be required to use one when departing.  Essentially making them wait until everyone else has deplaned. That might help to degree, but I doubt it’ll cure the problem.

Another comment, specifically aimed at Southwest Airlines as they have “free for all” non assigned seats, suggested that once the gate agents know how many passengers are in wheelchairs (along with their respective companions) they block out that number of seats in the back of the aircraft and board them last. Even if they board them first they would be the last ones to deplane. 

Personally I’ve never flown on Southwest and probably never will. Too many issues and too much competition that offer a better flying / travel experience. Bottom line: if you don’t like their policies then take your business elsewhere or pay for an upgraded seat. Which is exactly what I do. 

[Mike J]

A bit of a different story.  I traveled to a seminar and unfortunately had a disk problem with severe sciatic pain.  I was waiting in the security line and a guard, female, saw me and said; "Honey you are in a lot pain".   I replied; "yes maam".  She said; "You come with me".  She opened up the rope, led me through security, and all the way to my flight, talked to the gate keeper, and made sure I was swiftly and safely on board.   This was almost 20 years ago and I still remember her kindness.  Had to have back surgery a few weeks after arriving home.

[Onemore52]

The  cabin crew call them “miracle flights “ where people from a certain country in Asia (renowned for their  curries) come aboard in wheelchairs and just like magic as soon as the seatbelt sign goes off jump up and start to head for the exit.