AIRPORKY

Lazy passengers are FAKING disability to get a wheelchair at airports and speed through security queues

The fakers, known as 'Airport wheelchair imposters,' get to skip both the queue at security and at the boarding gate

 

LAZY travellers are skipping airport security and boarding gate queues by hiring a wheelchair.

The fakers, known as “Airport wheelchair imposters,” are increasingly using the tactic to get an easy ride through the terminal.

Getty - Contributor

4

Travellers are skipping airport security and boarding gate queues by hiring a wheelchair

In America, the problem is widespread thanks to the 1986 Air Carrier Access Act.
The piece of US legislation means that airlines have to provide free wheelchairs to anyone who asks for them.
The passenger doesn’t even need to provide documents proving their disability.
In the UK, all large airports also have dedicated Special Assistance teams for passengers who want help getting through the terminal.

Getty - Contributor

4

'Airport wheelchair imposters' are increasingly using the tactic to get an easy ride through the terminal

They then get to skip both the queue at security and the queue at the boarding gate – meaning they get one of the first seats on the plane regardless of whether they are a Business Class passenger or have paid for speedy boarding.
According to the New York Times, airport workers often see a spike in wheelchair requests when security lines are exceptionally long.
While this assistance is crucial for the two million-plus travellers who take flights in and out of the UK every year, they are also open to abuse.
One flight attendant, who calls the practice “miracle flights” as the passenger uses a wheelchair to get on the plane but not to disembark told the New York Times: “Not only do we serve them beverages and ensure their safety — now we’re healing the sick.”

Getty - Contributor

4

In the UK, all large airports also have dedicated Special Assistance teams for passengers who want help getting through the terminal

Apparently, “Airport wheelchair imposters” only want the wheelchair before the flight because they have to wait until the last person is off the plane at the other end – so it doesn’t save them time.
Sun Online Travel has also heard of instances where passengers in airport-provided wheelchairs have miraculously been able to walk when the airline was unable to locate a ramp to get the chairs onto the plane.
A source said: “I’ve been at a boarding gate and the airline has said that anyone in a wheelchair would have to climb the stairs.
“Suddenly the two passengers in wheelchairs hopped out and climbed the stairs.”

 

Wheelchair users often get to skip both the queue at security and the queue at the boarding gate

One embarrassed Californian even admitted that her own aunt used wheelchairs at the airport for an easy ride.
Speaking on the Flyertalk forum, the user called Georgina said: “My 55-year old aunt is in great health and walks for miles every day to workout.
“However, when it is time for international travel, she always requests a wheelchair so that she can skip the lines and not have to deal with crowds. It's absolutely disgusting and shameful.
“It never ceases to shock me when my family goes to pick her up from LAX and we see her being wheeled out of customs in a wheelchair by a nice gentleman who probably has better things to do than deal with this.”