Change in preboard policy?
Apr 13, 2019, 3:18 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,638
Change in preboard policy?
Has WN changed their preboard policy recently? This is what I just came across on their website:
I have a friend who will flying alone, following recent strokes and surgery. She will be needing a wheelchair to/from the gate, and down the jetbridge. This can't possibly mean that she has to board following the "A" group.
Is this just poorly worded, with two categories for preboarding pax - preboard before all others + "preboard" after "A"?
Preboarding is available for Customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability and/or need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device. If a Customer with a disability simply needs a little extra time to board, we will permit the Customer to board before Family Boarding, between the “A” and “B” groups. Those Customers who need extra time to board will receive a new boarding pass with an extra time designation. The designation serves as notification to our Operations (boarding) Agent that the Customer should be permitted to board before Family Boarding.
Is this just poorly worded, with two categories for preboarding pax - preboard before all others + "preboard" after "A"?
Last edited by mke9499; Apr 13, 2019 at 3:32 pm
Apr 13, 2019, 3:34 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 33
It sounds like your friend would preboard (before the A group) if using a wheelchair.
The between A and B group section of the policy language is for people needing extra time. This is separate than preboarding and isn't a recent change to my knowledge.
I don't have experience with this personally. I'm basing my response off reading what you have quoted and observing the boarding process while traveling .
The between A and B group section of the policy language is for people needing extra time. This is separate than preboarding and isn't a recent change to my knowledge.
I don't have experience with this personally. I'm basing my response off reading what you have quoted and observing the boarding process while traveling .
Apr 13, 2019, 3:47 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Apr 13, 2019, 3:48 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2002
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The key is for your friend to state to the GA a need for accommodation contained in the first sentence such as "assistance in boarding". Ensure that the document received from the GA shows pre-board rather than extra time. Also you can check now that the PNR has disability information entered prior to check in.
Apr 13, 2019, 3:49 pm
#5
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The problem is that WN may not legally ask the passenger any questions beyond, "do you have a specific seating need to accommodate your disability?" If "yes" than the passenger preboards.
This is true of all US carriers, but only matters on WN because it jumps the passenger ahead of the seat choice lottery (with the exception of exit rows).\
If your friend believes that she requires specific seating to accommodate her disability, than she may preboard. She need to give specifics of her diagnosis.
The change will simply theoretically take some percentage of passengers who are simply a bit slower but do not have specific seating needs and who accept this and move them off the preboard caravan.
This is true of all US carriers, but only matters on WN because it jumps the passenger ahead of the seat choice lottery (with the exception of exit rows).\
If your friend believes that she requires specific seating to accommodate her disability, than she may preboard. She need to give specifics of her diagnosis.
The change will simply theoretically take some percentage of passengers who are simply a bit slower but do not have specific seating needs and who accept this and move them off the preboard caravan.
Apr 13, 2019, 3:53 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2005
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The wording is intentional and has been in effect for quite some time, at least since the blue sleeves went away.
The key is for your friend to state to the GA a need for accommodation contained in the first sentence such as "assistance in boarding". Ensure that the document received from the GA shows pre-board rather than extra time. Also you can check now that the PNR has disability information entered prior to check in.
The key is for your friend to state to the GA a need for accommodation contained in the first sentence such as "assistance in boarding". Ensure that the document received from the GA shows pre-board rather than extra time. Also you can check now that the PNR has disability information entered prior to check in.
Apr 13, 2019, 4:24 pm
#9
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But - even if this did mean all disabled types would board between A and B - I do not see a big problem.
But - I think they will be before all others. WN does not want wheelchairs in the middle of regular boarding.
Apr 13, 2019, 4:29 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,638
I know that last year the customer service agents issuing preboards starting asking if there was a specific seating need. If the answer was "yes," they would add the "preboard" note to the BP.
My friend always has me book her flights, so the wheelchair notation is always on her BP. With her needing to be wheeled down to the door of the aircraft, I can't imagine them not allowing her to be among the first onboard.
Thanks to all for comments.
My friend always has me book her flights, so the wheelchair notation is always on her BP. With her needing to be wheeled down to the door of the aircraft, I can't imagine them not allowing her to be among the first onboard.
Thanks to all for comments.
Apr 13, 2019, 5:04 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2016
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It seems pretty clear to me:
The conjunction is “and/or” which means at least ONE (but not necessarily both) of the two conditions must be present in order to preboard.
Needing a wheelchair down the jetway implies needing assistance in boarding and stowing the wheelchair. This qualifies your friend for preboard, regardless of whether or not they need a specific seat.
Preboarding is available for Customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate their disability and/or need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device.
Needing a wheelchair down the jetway implies needing assistance in boarding and stowing the wheelchair. This qualifies your friend for preboard, regardless of whether or not they need a specific seat.
Apr 14, 2019, 6:29 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,813
Since this is on the Honor System I don't see it being used all that much. I seldom hear a special call after A and often see people pre-boarding who apparently don't need assistance nor seem to take an apparently specific seat once on board.
Please don't start the "some disabilities aren't visible" not all disabilities qualify for pre-boarding either.
Please don't start the "some disabilities aren't visible" not all disabilities qualify for pre-boarding either.
Apr 14, 2019, 7:43 am
#14
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For those that do not travel WN often - there is a slightly silver lining to the abusers - they MUST sit in the first row or two. They can not wander back to exit rows, etc.
I have been A1 a few times and the agent tells you to inform the FA that regular boarding has started. (allowing me take an exit row or anywhere I want)
I have been A1 a few times and the agent tells you to inform the FA that regular boarding has started. (allowing me take an exit row or anywhere I want)
Apr 14, 2019, 10:40 am
#15
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