The budget airline claims Frontier Airlines passengers are abusing the company’s wheelchair service to skip the line and secure priority boarding on their flights.
“There is widespread and rampant abuse of special services. There are people who use wheelchair assistance and don’t need it at all,” CEO Barry Bevel said at a lunch at the Wings Club in New York on Thursday. According to CNBC.
Seats at the border are based on a first-come, first-served basis and those who request wheelchair assistance board the plane before other passengers.
Biffle says he’s personally seen 20 people take a wheelchair ride, but only 3 asked for assistance when getting off.
“We treat a lot of people,” he joked.
The Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 prohibits airlines from discriminating against people with disabilities and requires companies to provide “safe transportation” including wheelchairs to passengers on board.
The company’s website says it is “happy to serve our passengers who need wheelchair or mobility assistance,” but Biffle is frustrated with people taking advantage of services instead of helping those who need it.
Biffle claims it costs the airline $30 to $35 to request wheelchair assistance, and abuse can delay other travelers.
“Everyone should be entitled to it and whoever needs it, but if you park in a handicapped space they will tow your car and fine you,” Biffle told CNBC. “There should be the same penalty for misusing these services.”
Problems can extend beyond the boarding gate such as security gates and other airport services
“There is widespread abuse among passengers who use wheelchair services to move to the front of security lines and receive priority boarding on flights,” the carrier told FOX Business, adding that “TSA and airlines are in a difficult position when it comes to managing passengers.” “. problem.”
Suspicious passengers feigning injuries and disabilities to skip the line have also affected other carriers, such as Southwest Airlines.
Last year, a Southwest Airlines passenger took to social media to complain about a “pre-boarding scam” he saw as nearly two dozen people in wheelchairs lined up waiting to board a flight in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
“20 passengers get on the plane using a wheelchair, and maybe only 3 need one to get off the plane,” the post reads. He wrote his name Paul on the X.
Southwest does not assign seats, similar to Frontier, resulting in advance passengers running the cabin.
Another Southwest passenger recently pointed out a similar scam on a flight from Philadelphia to Chicago, where he saw 30 passengers lined up at the terminal who were said to have “identified themselves” as disabled to get the coveted seat on the plane.
“People are taking advantage of the system,” Steve Maziarka told the Wall Street Journal of the February trip. “It’s gotten out of control.”
In 2022, the head of a major airport criticized TikTok users for suggesting wheelchair abuse to their followers.
“If you use TikTok, you will see that this is one of those travel hacks that people are recommending, please don’t do that as we need to protect the service for the people who need it most,” then-CEO of London Heathrow Airport, John Holland, said. Kai said LBC Radio is based in the United Kingdom.
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