Things have certainly changed in recent years when it comes to the airline industry. It wasn’t all that long ago that you would buy a ticket for a flight and everything was included with it. That is no longer the case.
Sometimes, airlines will get creative in the ways that they save money and maintain their prices while at the same time, limiting their customer service. Southwest Airlines is one of those companies, and they are known for the way that they load an airplane.
@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
When you buy a ticket for Southwest Airlines, you don’t have the option to choose your seat. People who board first have the greatest opportunity of getting the seat of their choice and if you end up in one of the later groups, you might just have to squeeze your way into an uncomfortable situation.
One of the exceptions that Southwest Airlines makes is for passengers who are in a wheelchair. They have priority when it comes to boarding, and that has led to rather interesting problems.
Many people are calling it the “miracle flight” scam, because people are pretending that they need a wheelchair just to get to the front of the line. When they reach their destination, however, they walk off the plane to leave the wheelchair sitting at the gate.
One customer went on X, formerly Twitter, to complain about women who got away with the scam. They said: “Hey @SouthwestAir These 4 young girls and their parents were able to pre-board on my flight Sunday! They did not need assistance or extra time for seating! Do better with your gate agents stopping this! I paid extra for business class to get better seating!”
This type of upgraded boarding gives people the opportunity to choose their seat early because they fake needing a wheelchair. It has happened so frequently that people are posting pictures again and again of it taking place at their airport.
Hey @SouthwestAir These 4 young girls & their parents were able to pre board on my flight Sunday! They did not need assistance or extra time for seating! Do better with your gate agents stopping this! I paid extra for business class to get better seating! pic.twitter.com/DQ90MxUWEE
— • stephanie • (@iheartwhotowls) May 14, 2024