A recent social media post ignited a heated discussion about the use of wheelchairs during the boarding process. A passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight to Florida shared a picture of numerous travelers using wheelchairs to pre-board, claiming that a significant number of them walked off the plane upon arrival without assistance. This sparked a wave of comments, with some accusing flyers of exploiting the system to secure better seats, while others defended the practice, citing various reasons why someone might need assistance to board but not to deplane.

Many commenters emphasized the difference between navigating a short distance onto a plane and traversing the often extensive airport terminals. They highlighted that individuals with back pain, knee problems, recent surgeries, chronic pain, or other disabilities might require assistance for longer distances but be capable of walking shorter stretches. The ability to walk off a plane, they argued, doesn't negate the need for assistance during the boarding process.

Some individuals identified themselves as ambulatory wheelchair users, explaining that they can walk short distances but benefit from wheelchairs for longer treks. They pointed out the misconception that wheelchair users are always unable to stand or walk at all.

Southwest Airlines responded to the original post, apologizing for the passenger's disappointment and expressing hope for a better experience in the future. This isn't the first time such an incident has surfaced. A similar situation was reported in Fort Lauderdale in 2023, where a social media user made similar claims about passengers using wheelchairs to board but not to deplane.

Travel industry expert Gary Leff weighed in on the matter, noting that he observes more wheelchair requests on Southwest Airlines than on other airlines. He attributed this to Southwest's open seating policy, where early boarding translates to better seat selection. Leff also cautioned that unnecessary wheelchair requests can negatively impact passengers with genuine needs, potentially causing delays and difficulties in obtaining assistance.