I have not posted on here in quite awhile but I thought I would join in this conversation. What needs to be remembered is that we are "customer service reps" that is what we provide...customer service. If someone requests a wheelchair then they should be provided one. Sure there are people that abuse this like anything else. However like someelse in this post mentioned (do not recall who) if requested and not provided it is opening ones self up for a lawsuit. I had a woman a few weeks back that wanted a wheelchair because she had a sprained wrist. (that's ridiculous) however after speaking with her for a bit she really needed assistance with her carryons when boarding the plane. I told her I would be happy to get her one, or if she would prefer I could carry her luggage down to the plane. She said she would like that. So she ended up happy and no problems arose out of it. The issue that I do have however are people that are very large and need to be pushed in a wheelchair. It is very difficult for a 120 lb woman to push a 300 lb person up a ramp. I know what you will say...get some strong guy to do it. I work at a small airport and a very small crew. That day we could spare no one else to come to gate and I don't think it would have been any easier for anyone else to do it. My back was out of whack for a while after that. So where does one draw the line...maybe someone that large should travel with a companion to assist them. I am not trying to sound prejudice of ovrweight people...I am not. However I do not want to become disabled because someone chose that lifestyle.
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