People are people, right? So, indulge us with this bit of a comical post. And, what’s even funnier is that it’s actually true. While reading a travel article this morning, it highlighted what could be humorous or aggravating behavior from some airline passengers.
In this instance, it’s about our affiliate friends, Southwest Airlines, but it could be any airline, to be honest. They’re not to blame.
So, to the point. When you fly, you may be slowed down for a (medical or other) reason. Airlines always try to help. If you need assistance contact your airline in advance and they’ll arrange for a wheelchair.
There’s officially no charge for the service, although we should remember that in most U.S. airports, the people pushing those wheelchairs make a fair amount of their money on tips. It’s never clear what the right amount is to tip. Some feel $5 is appropriate, others tip $20. In any case, there’s no medical verification needed to request the wheelchair service.
However, some people ask for the service who don’t, strictly speaking, ‘need it’. So when a flight has numerous passengers with wheelchair assistance requested upon boarding, but then most of those passengers step off themselves and walk out of the terminal – walking right past the waiting wheelchairs on the jet bridge – it’s known as a “miracle flight.”
Here’s one recent Southwest Airlines flight where 20 passengers used wheelchairs to board the plane, but only 3 actually used the wheelchairs to get off the plane, 17 passengers experienced an inflight miracle, or a “Jet Bridge Jesus” intervention that saves the day. Click here to read more courtesy of Gary Leff’s always excellent View From The Wing.
Be a kind traveler. Who knows if it will happen to you next?
Be a good tourist. Don’t blame Southwest. They’re one of the better airlines in the US. Click here to book.
Did you know that Southwest also have holiday packages? It’s true! Click here to book yours.
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