I make the round trip every month so I have observed this practice. (Last trip about two weeks ago I counted 25 wheel chairs boarding .) I agree with others that have said about (you can't play detective ) on who is entitled or not. That is an impossible call to make.Over the years I have seen some fairly young women in good shape but then notice their skin color...doesn't look too healthy. Then again I see an over abundance of overweight suma type wrestlers. So whose to know?bogus! If one is so infirm, they should not travel. I have seen servicemen with missing limbs massive surgical scares waiting in airport lines. What keeps them out of service chairs is self-respect. Obese people are not entitled for a service chair because they love burgers and fries. Being older, fat and lazy is not a handicap. If "standing" causes so much pain, stay home and avoid inconveniencing the traveling public. 90% are losers looking for special treatment. Further they want to get boarded first so they do not have to pay for a 1st class ticket and get premium overhead baggage space.
If they are boarding alone I don't think they can bring overhead luggage on board.However, many of them have "family members" that do that, along with the family"s luggage.
Obviously I walk around the airport a lot. Logical person thinks: Why are these chairs only alined up at gates for the DR...AND non tourist destinations?