Michael’s mom Mary has some limitations. She has painful arthritis in her hip and spine so walking for any distance can be a challenge.
When I made reservation with Southwest Airlines for her visit last month, we requested a wheelchair for her. She loves the Southwest Airlines personal.
She told me the following story:
When she arrived at the airport, while others were in line waiting for their baggage to be checked, she had a tip ready in her hand. She waved it at the baggage check-in person and asked for a wheelchair. He stopped and had one within minutes along with a person to push it. That person bypassed the long lines in security to the front of the line.
They then pushed her to the gate where they chatted and waited for the plane together. She was the first to board then tipped the person who had been pushing her. Since she has flown from Las Vegas to her daughter’s house a lot, she has a relationship with many of the personnel who push the wheelchairs. They now greet her by name.
She told us that when she flies home to Las Vegas, she will be met by a person and a wheelchair and will be the first off the plane. They will push her to baggage, get her bag then wheel her out to the curb to catch a cab home. There is usually a long line for regular people waiting for a cab. This is Vegas, after all. There is a special cab line for disabled people where she has never had to wait. She always remembers to tip.
She said the whole process allows her to still travel with her physical limitations. She is very grateful it is available.
Over lunch, she was telling this story to my mom who had given up flying because of the long lines and the long walk to the gate. It made her re-consider the option of traveling once again.
When I made reservation with Southwest Airlines for her visit last month, we requested a wheelchair for her. She loves the Southwest Airlines personal.
She told me the following story:
When she arrived at the airport, while others were in line waiting for their baggage to be checked, she had a tip ready in her hand. She waved it at the baggage check-in person and asked for a wheelchair. He stopped and had one within minutes along with a person to push it. That person bypassed the long lines in security to the front of the line.
They then pushed her to the gate where they chatted and waited for the plane together. She was the first to board then tipped the person who had been pushing her. Since she has flown from Las Vegas to her daughter’s house a lot, she has a relationship with many of the personnel who push the wheelchairs. They now greet her by name.
She told us that when she flies home to Las Vegas, she will be met by a person and a wheelchair and will be the first off the plane. They will push her to baggage, get her bag then wheel her out to the curb to catch a cab home. There is usually a long line for regular people waiting for a cab. This is Vegas, after all. There is a special cab line for disabled people where she has never had to wait. She always remembers to tip.
She said the whole process allows her to still travel with her physical limitations. She is very grateful it is available.
Over lunch, she was telling this story to my mom who had given up flying because of the long lines and the long walk to the gate. It made her re-consider the option of traveling once again.
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