Haha, in the past, I’ve had the opposite reaction. I practically have to wave to the wheelchair staff looking round for their passenger, but still ignoring me. The most notable one was in Boston where the assistance guy said on approaching me: “YOU.... need a wheelchair???”

another occasion, I got through Zurich under my own steam but on attempting to Pre-board the gate agency said imperiously: “madam, were are boarding infants now” I actually waved my walking stick in his face.