Wheelchair brigade at boarding
May 19, 2026 | 5:24 pm
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: IND
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Wheelchair brigade at boarding
Flew IND-IAH this morning. I was surprised to see eight wheelchairs lined up for boarding at the gate--with only one person to wheel them all to their seats--and four at the next gate to SFO. I've never seen more than a couple per flight before. Is this a record, or have you seen more?
May 19, 2026 | 7:31 pm
#4
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I'm convinced that this is the current home of Jetway Jesus and his extended family....When you live in heavens waiting room you get used to seeing half the plane board before pre-boarding even starts..... I love it when the family of 10 takes grandma home to Jersey - every week and then blow by the wheelchairs waiting at EWR.... Everyone knows the game -- unfortunately the laws of our country allow no freedom to police the abuse....
Last edited by bmwe92fan; May 19, 2026 at 7:40 pm
May 19, 2026 | 8:58 pm
#5
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There is a lot more standing around in lines and walking when boarding and connecting than upon arriving.
It is simply logical that there would be a reduced need for wheelchairs upon arrival.
It is simply logical that there would be a reduced need for wheelchairs upon arrival.
May 19, 2026 | 9:47 pm
#6
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The longest wheelchair/needing assistance/extra time line I have experienced is 36.
It was 737-700 PBI-EWR flight. I believe there were 9 wheelchairs with family members. I counted 36 boarded before Military was called. 4 boarded, and then followed by GS (just me). I was #41 out of 126.
It was 737-700 PBI-EWR flight. I believe there were 9 wheelchairs with family members. I counted 36 boarded before Military was called. 4 boarded, and then followed by GS (just me). I was #41 out of 126.
Last edited by UA_Flyer; May 20, 2026 at 4:33 am
May 20, 2026 | 12:37 am
#9
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Location: Shanghai
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I'm convinced that this is the current home of Jetway Jesus and his extended family....When you live in heavens waiting room you get used to seeing half the plane board before pre-boarding even starts..... I love it when the family of 10 takes grandma home to Jersey - every week and then blow by the wheelchairs waiting at EWR.... Everyone knows the game -- unfortunately the laws of our country allow no freedom to police the abuse....
May 20, 2026 | 1:10 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: SQ, QF, UA, CO, DL
Posts: 3,905
Flew IND-IAH this morning. I was surprised to see eight wheelchairs lined up for boarding at the gate--with only one person to wheel them all to their seats--and four at the next gate to SFO. I've never seen more than a couple per flight before. Is this a record, or have you seen more?
May 20, 2026 | 5:17 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: IAD
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Posts: 7,857
I saw one flight at CPH that had about 15 or more wheelchairs with people waiting to board. I boarded first because I was the on,y one that needed assistance to my seat using an aisle chair.. Every single one of them walked on to get to their seat.
May 20, 2026 | 6:12 am
#14
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May 20, 2026 | 6:18 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2019
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I don't think that in Europe they allow family members to board with the wheel chair bound people? Just a question since I've seen that happen along with stricter rules to let you ride the "golf cart" between gates.