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Was this woman running a "wheelchair scam?"

Was this woman running a "wheelchair scam?"

Old Oct 8, 2012, 8:20 pm
  #61  
 
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The FA should be reported for this. I'm not one to "report" people, but this particular item is a safety issue. I have had this happen on SW, and even had the person try and reserve the exit row. The FA did not want to get involved but did at my insistence, both to prevent the seat saving and being in the exit row after "pre-boarding". I did not care that I had the stink-eye from the passenger.
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Old Oct 9, 2012, 1:21 am
  #62  
 
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Originally Posted by Yaatri
Get on a flight to some Asian destinations.
+1^
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Old Oct 9, 2012, 7:13 am
  #63  
 
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Originally Posted by Jib
1986 Air Carrier Access Act, airlines are required to accommodate disabled travelers who need not show any proof of disability.
I wonder how hard the ADA lobbied for that one.
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Old Oct 9, 2012, 1:35 pm
  #64  
 
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The issue is liability and lawsuit potential. No matter how scummy and low I think it is that an able-bodied person would do this, it is safer than to take the risk that there is a real, but visibly hidden, disability that requires a wheelchair, and then be the one who denies it. Airline gets sued and you lose your job.

Someone also wrote about karma. I do believe in it as well.

Finally, if you can't change the system, why not be entertained?

If you suspect "a miracle is about to happen", get some photographic/visual proof, and post it on FT for our entertainment. I would love to see it. These scammers SHOULD be called out in every way possible. You needed a chair to board, etc, but you are in an exit row, or first to stand up and attempt to deplane with your bags . . . visual evidence = busted!

And finally, to any airport worker who enables the behavior (ex. the late-running passengers who were TOLD to go get a wheelchair), shame on you too. Don't blame the rest of us if you never leave that job, or lose it at some point.
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Old Oct 9, 2012, 2:08 pm
  #65  
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Originally Posted by valor155
The issue is liability and lawsuit potential. No matter how scummy and low I think it is that an able-bodied person would do this, it is safer than to take the risk that there is a real, but visibly hidden, disability that requires a wheelchair, and then be the one who denies it. Airline gets sued and you lose your job.

Someone also wrote about karma. I do believe in it as well.

Finally, if you can't change the system, why not be entertained?

If you suspect "a miracle is about to happen", get some photographic/visual proof, and post it on FT for our entertainment. I would love to see it. These scammers SHOULD be called out in every way possible. You needed a chair to board, etc, but you are in an exit row, or first to stand up and attempt to deplane with your bags . . . visual evidence = busted!

And finally, to any airport worker who enables the behavior (ex. the late-running passengers who were TOLD to go get a wheelchair), shame on you too. Don't blame the rest of us if you never leave that job, or lose it at some point.
Excellent idea. Maybe, an FA should a that a miracle has just occurred. We can all clap, sing "Praise the Lord", "Helejualoueha" and dance.
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Old Oct 9, 2012, 3:12 pm
  #66  
 
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Originally Posted by Yaatri
That's how it is I thought. That's why people prefer to have a miracle cure than wait for their wheel chairs. Sometimes you see dozens of wheel chairs lined up on one side of the jetway and beyond. and no takers, as they have all been cured.
That's why in "my system" last minute users would be required to give some "collateral" (ID/boarding pass/luggage claim check...something honest people would have no problem surrendering) during the preboarding process. People with "in-flight miracles" would get flagged as scammers. I believe that anyone who request a wheelchair should get one. No questions asked...but in places/markets where scamming is obvious/prevalent, they should make it less convenient for fakers.



Originally Posted by Yaatri
A person using a wheel chair intermittently does not prove that they are scamming.
I understand that 100%...it's just they have a higher percentage of abuse. People with true, long term issues (seen or unseen) utilize the system fairly (first on, last off).

I believe in karma too. Boarded a feeder flight in the EU with a passenger who had NO TROUBLE climbing the jet STAIRS (ran up) & deplaning using the same...but SUDDENLY needed a wheelchair & cart to go through AMS passport control & board a DL flight to the States. He was awaiting a miles/SWU upgrade but the Blue Dragons couldn't get their act together. We departed with 4 seats empty in J...he was in row 30-something.
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Old Oct 9, 2012, 3:26 pm
  #67  
 
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Originally Posted by popppa
That's why in "my system" last minute users would be required to give some "collateral" (ID/boarding pass/luggage claim check...something honest people would have no problem surrendering) during the preboarding process.
How many honest people are willing to give away their ID? We can print duplicate BPs and scan our luggage claims before boarding. And when was the last time anyone asked for the paper ones (I've lost a couple of them with my HOOU coupons)?
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Old Oct 9, 2012, 3:38 pm
  #68  
 
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It can be frustrating at times as I go to MNL often and see the long line of wheelchairs. However, while some Filipinos may appear to be able-bodied and look 50-ish or 60-ish, they may actually be in their 70s or older. My Mom always orders a wheelchair as she is now 76 and while she can walk the tube to her seat, I can guarantee you, you will curse at how slow she moves. But she orders the wheelchair mainly to transfer from gate to gate as she can get tired and short of breath easily. She also does not wait in her seat on landing but walks up the tube to take the first available w/c (now they actually have your name on paper) --- as she is instructed by crew ("... if you are able to walk to the end of the tube, please do so and a wheelchair will be waiting for you there ..."). It really is no miracle for her, and again, if you were walking behind her, I wouldn't be surprised if you cursed under your breath. I agree with the karma posters --- beware what you say! I do agree with calling out the obvious scammers (disabled but seating in exit row, etc.) to preserve the integrity of the wheelchair request!!!
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Old Oct 9, 2012, 4:09 pm
  #69  
 
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Originally Posted by Jib
When [travelers] see that the line is so long, they just ask for a wheelchair, Evelyn Danquah, an attendant for Delta Air Lines, told the Times.
This line from the original article bugged me. Yes, that could be a sign that they are a scammer. OR it could be a sign that they have a health issue that is marginal- not so severe that they always need a wheelchair, but one that will be exacerbated by a lengthy period standing in line. My DH is in that category, and we don't want to always tie up resources if he doesn't need them.
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Old Oct 9, 2012, 6:21 pm
  #70  
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Exclamation Thread Alert

We have had a number of alerts from FlyerTalk members letting the Delta SkyMiles forum moderators know that the topic of this discussion really is broader in scope and is not necessarily specific to Delta Air Lines and the SkyMiles frequent flier loyalty program and I would have to agree.

The new home for this discussion is now the Disability Travel forum.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Delta SkyMiles forum
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Old Oct 9, 2012, 6:21 pm
  #71  
 
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Originally Posted by Awsm
It can be frustrating at times as I go to MNL often and see the long line of wheelchairs. However, while some Filipinos may appear to be able-bodied and look 50-ish or 60-ish, they may actually be in their 70s or older. My Mom always orders a wheelchair as she is now 76 and while she can walk the tube to her seat, I can guarantee you, you will curse at how slow she moves. But she orders the wheelchair mainly to transfer from gate to gate as she can get tired and short of breath easily. She also does not wait in her seat on landing but walks up the tube to take the first available w/c (now they actually have your name on paper) --- as she is instructed by crew ("... if you are able to walk to the end of the tube, please do so and a wheelchair will be waiting for you there ..."). It really is no miracle for her, and again, if you were walking behind her, I wouldn't be surprised if you cursed under your breath. I agree with the karma posters --- beware what you say! I do agree with calling out the obvious scammers (disabled but seating in exit row, etc.) to preserve the integrity of the wheelchair request!!!
If she's a slow walker, why not wait a few minutes to let others exit the aircraft?
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Old Oct 9, 2012, 6:47 pm
  #72  
 
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I had a friend who did this many years/decades ago.

He was delivering a wheelchair to his mother.

This was at a time when his Airline was going to charge him $150-200 to check his "oversized" wheelchair in baggage.

Of course, if he was using it as an assistive device, it was free.

So he rode it the whole way there.
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Old Oct 9, 2012, 8:25 pm
  #73  
 
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Originally Posted by DelrayChris
I wonder how hard the ADA lobbied for that one.
I don't recall the American Dental Association lobbying for that, do you?

Who is "the ADA"?
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Old Oct 10, 2012, 7:46 am
  #74  
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That there are abuses of provisions of ADA, is not in doubt. I cannot say what the extent of abuse is.
I also felt that there was an abuse of handicapped tags also, as between 1999 and 2008 (when I was away for most of the time from my home state), the number of handicapped tags increased manyfold. It turns out that the area is infested with "fake" hanging tags.
Some people will do everything possible for their convenience even if it means breaking the law. parking/waiting in the drop off lane at a grocery store, or an airport is another example, even blocking or parking in the handicapped spot at the airport.
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Old Oct 11, 2012, 6:20 am
  #75  
 
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Originally Posted by valor155
The issue is liability and lawsuit potential. No matter how scummy and low I think it is that an able-bodied person would do this, it is safer than to take the risk that there is a real, but visibly hidden, disability that requires a wheelchair, and then be the one who denies it. Airline gets sued and you lose your job.
Fine, then! Get him a wheelchair, but board him last (on WN) and _insist_ (for everyone's own safety!) that he's' escorted off the plane last, in a wheelchair.

And, in WN or any airline, for the safety of EVERYONE on board, you must call out a disabled person who is in the exit row! Do *you* want to Die In A Fire?
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