Frontier Airlines is facing widespread abuse of its wheelchair service, with many passengers using it to skip lines and secure priority boarding despite not needing assistance. CEO Barry Biffle highlighted the issue, noting that it costs the airline $30-$35 per request and can cause delays for other travelers. The Air Carrier Access Act mandates non-discriminatory service for disabled passengers, complicating enforcement. Similar issues have been reported by other airlines like Southwest, with social media and platforms like TikTok exacerbating the problem by promoting such "travel hacks."
Frontier Airlines reports widespread abuse of its wheelchair service, with many passengers using it to gain priority boarding without needing assistance. The airline calls for a registration system and legislation to address the issue, highlighting the difficulty TSA and airlines face in managing this problem.
Boarding a plane has become a chaotic and inefficient process due to various factors. Airlines have introduced complexity and confusion to encourage passengers to pay for priority boarding, resulting in crowded gate queues and out-of-turn line-ups. The introduction of bag fees led to more carry-on bags, further slowing down the process. Larger planes and increased passenger load factors have also contributed to the boarding nightmare. Despite attempts to find optimal boarding methods, no solution has been widely implemented. Southwest Airlines' open seating model offers the fastest boarding process, but most airlines prioritize revenue from seat assignments.
A recent Southwest Airlines flight had 20 passengers using wheelchairs to board, but only three used them to get off, leading to suspicions of a pre-boarding scam. While some passengers may genuinely need assistance on boarding, it's unlikely that 17 out of 20 passengers would require it only for boarding. The practice of asking for wheelchair assistance when not needed can delay or prevent those who genuinely need it from getting it. The benefits of early boarding include better seating, access to overhead bin space, and priority check-in and security.
