At MCO there is frequently a long wait for pushers. Pushers are allocated based on your flight time. You might have a long wait. Same issue landing at MCO. A traveling companion can grab a wheelchair and push as far as the gate. An employee is required to push the wheelchair down the Jetway.

Some pax, probably, abuse the system. Don 't assume every pax who only uses a wheelchair at the origination airport is a scammer. Sometimes your destination airport requires walking longer distances. Some pax have an issue standing prior to boarding. Some pax don't want to wait for a pusher. They may be just able to walk the jetway. A companion will grab a wheelchair and push through the airport. Some pax pre-baord because they have an issue walking the length of the plane. Pre-boarding is the alternative to assisgnd seats.