Airport wheelchair abuse incidents what happened || скачать в хорошем качестве

Airport wheelchair abuse incidents what happened ||

Recent news reports, from late 2024 and throughout 2025, indicate a surge in the abuse of airport wheelchair services by travelers faking disabilities to gain perks like priority boarding and skipping security lines. Airlines and airport workers have labeled these individuals "flying fakers". Key Developments and Issues "Miracle Flights": A widely reported phenomenon involves large numbers of passengers requesting wheelchairs for departure but then deplaning unassisted and walking briskly to baggage claim upon arrival. One Facebook post shared a case on a Southwest flight where 17 out of 20 passengers using wheelchair assistance for boarding walked off the plane without help. Incentives for Abuse: Since airlines in the U.S. are prohibited from requiring medical proof of a disability, the service remains an easy "travel hack" to bypass long queues, secure better seating (on airlines like Southwest, which had an open seating policy), and ensure overhead bin space. Impact on Genuine Passengers: The misuse overloads the system, causing significant delays and resource strain for ground staff and equipment. This means that individuals who genuinely need mobility assistance often face longer wait times and delayed or inadequate service. Airline and Airport Response: Southwest Airlines is ending its wheelchair-first boarding system when it switches to assigned seating in January 2026, a move expected to curb the abuse on its flights. Frontier Airlines CEO Barry Biffle has called for a crackdown, describing the situation as "massive, rampant abuse" and suggesting penalties similar to those for misusing handicapped parking. Indian Regulators (DGCA) have responded to the high volume of misuse on some international routes (up to 30% of passengers on certain India-US flights) by allowing airlines to charge a fee for healthy passengers who book a wheelchair service, while still providing it free for those with genuine health needs or disabilities.