Airlines' Wheelchairs

We may need a wheel chair since the better half injured herself. She can do short walks. We are coming in on Southwest. I have a few questions.

1. Is it a long distance from SW arrival to baggage claim?
2. If long, how do you arrange a wheel chair?
3. Does it cost and normally, how much?
4. Approximately how much to you tip the person pushing the chair?

We will be leaving from Terminal 2 so our return should be okay.

1. Quite a long way.
2. Call SWA ahead of time. Or when you check in.
3. No cost.
4. I've tried to tip at SWA people before and they flatly refused, saying they cannot accept tips. However, it is probably the airport porters who push the chair to baggage claim. I'd guess $5 is sufficient.

Candy, appreciate the response. Right now, there is a slight possibility we may may not make it, but hoping for the best. Johnny

First I have never flown on SouthWest. But have needed a wheelchair on other airlines. When you get on the plane tell the flight atendent that you will need a wheelchair in Vegas and they will (should) call that in to the airport.
I tip $5 most of the time but if the guy or gal is real good I tip more.
Good Luck Always,
Dick From Milwaukee

What Dick said. You can also get a wheelchair at your outgoing airport. The better half sits on a bench near the door, and the worse half goes off to the ticket counter to ask for a wheelchair.

rgpups and deadeye, I also thank you for the tips and especially the tip on tips I will use that five dollar figure as a minimum amount. (if SW attendant will take it) We always see wheelchairs and knew someday, we would need them. Deadeye, I like that line on "worst half", the other half to the better half.

Curbside check in can also provide you with a wheelchair & set up a wheelchair to meet you when you arrive.

I called ahead an made arrangements for a wheelchair to be ready upon arriving at the airport. They also prearranged one to be waiting when my mother-in-law exited the plane. We tipped the guy at the outside luggage area, then realized that he only wheeled her inside where an airport employee/volunteer took over. We tipped that person as well. It was well worth the money, since she has to use a walker and it would take forever to get to the gate.

Well we did it a couple of years ago. It was on SW out of MDW. We put right on when we ordered the tickets. We an early flight so my mother sat down and waited for the counters to open. But soon it did I said we were getting a chair. They sent one right over. Went right up to the counter. Even at security you bypass the long line so the pusher does not have to wait. At the gate we dumped the chair as she got around OK except for the long walk.

As soon as the plane landed she jumped and got right into a chair. He then took her to baggage claim and then to the rental car shuttle.

On the way back told the rental shuttle driver and we he got to the drop off at the airport the guy was waiting with a chair. And took us through all the steps again.

My mother thought it was great. I believe the tip was $5. Very easy.

Terry

Thank you for the responses. Great information especially now, that a wheel chair is needed.