Wheel chair early boarding example

[PontiacHO]

I have said this for many, many years. This is an example where "feelings" are taking precedence over proper industrial management decisions.

The "normal" boarding system, where those who need help, etc, is to board them first. But that makes no sense. It takes LONGER (on the whole) to hold up the "able" boarding folks so that the slower folks can go first. As those various special needs folks (broad use of the term) enter the aircraft, they block the aisle and the line comes to a complete stop behind them.

Rather, it would actually fill the plane faster, if those who need special attention or have unique conditions would board LAST. Fill the plane as efficiently as possible with folks who can/will quickly take their seats quickly. Then take the wheel chairs, families with baby strollers, etc at the end of the boarding process.

Same goes for exiting; exceptions should go last.


If this were any other situation, say a production facility, you would NEVER put your slowest products/processes at the front of the line, holding up all others which are faster. That is just production suicide. It wastes time potential for every subsequent product upstream.

It's just stupid to front load your "exceptions" to normally efficient processes.

We have to show “respect” for those that can’t do for themselves. Military, law enforcement, and elderly I understand allowing these groups first but I agree…..Boarding the wheelchair folks first does create delays and a plane full of agitated people. Especially when these wheelchair folks are up walking around even when the seatbelt signs are on… Seen that many times. Flight staff telling them to go sit down.

 

[Chris142]

Don't forget that Karma is a Bword.

 

[GON]

Keeping the discussion about US airline comparisons, it can be easily done with female best selling artists.

American Airline passengers like/ identify with Brittany Spears

Delta Airline passengers most like/identify with Taylor Swift

United Airline passengers most like/identify with Celine Dion

 

[Wylie6G72]

This is so common on all airlines.
The solution might be for airlines to board these passengers last, removing a lot of the incentive for people to claim disabilities they aren't subject to.

Rarely are they placed in window seats so that would actually make more sense.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Same are constantly complaining about airlines and gas prices - try something else - you might like it - or you might come back … And there are better feedback tools than BITOG

BITOG serves as Panic Pete for a lot of folks.

The airlines created a .... bottleneck.

Neck, you say?



The world needs more Mike Bradys.

 

[fdcg27]

We've had good and bad experiences with a variety of airlines.
We've had an awful trip on what bills itself as America's premium airline as well as a great trip on Allegiant, which happens to be one of the best managed niche carriers in the world. We certainly don't need expansive room or free drinks and snacks on a few hour flight.
United is usually pretty okay, but so is AA.
Southwest used to be great. The last trip we had on the airline was not very good and right now they look positively scary, but such is the outcome of big money muscling in.
One thing they all have in common is that there will always be a line of people in wheelchairs waiting to board who are then more often than not cured by the magic of their flight.
Another is that if you want a flight that has a reasonable schedule in terms of departure and arrival times as well as time in transit including connections, you'll pay quite a bit more than you would for a ridiculous schedule and a ludicrous number of additional hours A to B.

 

[Hohn]

Maybe he was having back spasms and needed time for the medication to kick in?

If I saw him he'd probably claim to have more back issues than the dusty aisle of the library.

Perhaps someone needs to inform him that lacking ethics or decency isn't technically considered a disability?

 

[Owen Lucas]

American Airline passengers like/ identify with Brittany Spears

Delta Airline passengers most like/identify with Taylor Swift

United Airline passengers most like/identify with Celine Dion

I choose option D. Identify as Sydney Sweeney.

I saw a photo somewhere for Air India where it appeared every wheelchair at the airport was used for preboarding. The picture taker noted there were very few wheelchairs waiting at the arrival terminal.

 

[Hohn]

We have to show “respect” for those that can’t do for themselves. Military, law enforcement, and elderly I understand allowing these groups first but I agree…..Boarding the wheelchair folks first does create delays and a plane full of agitated people. Especially when these wheelchair folks are up walking around even when the seatbelt signs are on… Seen that many times. Flight staff telling them to go sit down.

It's not just the disabled boarding that is nonsense.

EVerything about it is ridiculous. In what world is it "luxury" be get on the plane first and have to sit there forever while everyone shuffled past you bumping into you and such? Isn't it patently obvious that the plane should be boarded in the sequence dictated by the distance of the seat from the access door? For example, if there's only one door at the front, you board the rearmost people first in sequence with those closest to the door getting on last?

 

[PontiacHO]

It's not just the disabled boarding that is nonsense.

EVerything about it is ridiculous. In what world is it "luxury" be get on the plane first and have to sit there forever while everyone shuffled past you bumping into you and such? Isn't it patently obvious that the plane should be boarded in the sequence dictated by the distance of the seat from the access door? For example, if there's only one door at the front, you board the rearmost people first in sequence with those closest to the door getting on last?

Southwest finally got smart and eliminated their silly no rules boarding. That caused a lot of the fights on planes. While I’m on this topic…folks boarding with their “2 items” that turn out to be these giant overstuffed backpacks and a rolling piece of luggage. Personally I’d rather check everything to avoid the scramble for overhead space.

Had a flight with a large group (50+) of what I think were Orthodox Jewish men. Each was wearing a hat the size of a 275-60-15 tire along with the hat box. They wasted no time filling up the overhead storage. Don’t even think about rearranging the compartment for more room with their gear in there. I heard a lot of loud voices that sounded angry.

Did I say that I don’t enjoy flying??

 

[john_pifer]

Don't even get me started on how many cars in handicapped spaces are honestly legitimate.

 

[Dave Hess]

Yep.

Lots of people have these stupid handicap stickers.

 

[Tikka]

After my six decades on this planet, i have concluded that most Humans are pretty scummy.

 

[Vexorg]

For the guy from the first post, I ever see this I'm going to tell every security guard I can find that he has been asking people to carry stuff onto the plane for him. I'd also chat up the boarding staff and explain the situation, and see if they could somehow tag him for a rubber glove inspection at his destination.

 

[GON]

For the guy from the first post, I ever see this I'm going to tell every security guard I can find that he has been asking people to carry stuff onto the plane for him. I'd also chat up the boarding staff and explain the situation, and see if they could somehow tag him for a rubber glove inspection at his destination.

Love it!! Great idea....

 

[dkryan]

There was an article in the December 18, 2025 print edition of The Wall Street Journal that talked about GON’s complaint.

It’s likely behind a paywall but I included the link as I loved the title:

“They Get Wheeled on Flights and Miraculously Walk Off. Praise ‘Jetway Jesus.’​

“Travelers bemoan a rise of able-bodied passengers who game the system to skip the lines; ‘That’s some good healing right there!’”​

https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/trave...ccfb3?st=m3vGCy&reflink=article_copyURL_share

 

[Slick]

For the guy from the first post, I ever see this I'm going to tell every security guard I can find that he has been asking people to carry stuff onto the plane for him. I'd also chat up the boarding staff and explain the situation, and see if they could somehow tag him for a rubber glove inspection at his destination.

About 5 years ago I was in a "very long" TSA Line at DTW and TSA was giving "front of the line treatment" for a man using a knee scooter. One of the fellow passengers in the line close to me said this same guy was walking normal hand carrying the knee scoter from the close terminal parking lot into the terminal and started using the knee scooter after entering the terminal.

This gentleman notified the TSA person outside the roped staging lanes of what he saw. That TSA person notified her co-workers and it looked like the knee scooter offender was getting placed in the waiting area for a full pat down service.

When I finally went through the walk through scanner; the knee scooter offender was still waiting for his turn. I suspect TSA was helping him learn a valuable life lesson while waiting for a pat down person.

Somedays people do get what they deserve.

I did not think a knee scooter was a valid reason for special treatment through TSA. When I had one for a broken foot I could move faster than walking plus could put my backpack on the handlebars. Much better than using crutches.

 

[Pablo]

I now know what often holds up boarding. 1-2 people manning boarding counter.

One takes wheelchair person to plane, OTHER is bothered by some person - darm it - chit chatting!!!!!!!

People are held up for next boarding call. Stupid.

 

[crashz]

The last few international flight I was on, the folks that had early boarding actually waiting until the plane was empty to de-plane. I was impressed. However they took a long time to get on the plane and probably took a while to exit.

 

[Egg_Head]

Recent flight I took from CLT-MIA, we had 14 wheel chairs to board. Many I saw strolling around the terminal pre-flight with seemingly no issues. After landing in Miami maybe 1/3 of the 14 requested a wheelchair to deplane.