- Thread starter ju10prd
- Start date
SDQ departure....is this a record?
I have fallen in with the bare fare plan as espoused by Spirit Air. Basic fares low enuff that they charge extra if one wants any extras. A checked bag is less than a carry on. Why? Because it is less hassle for the airline. Faster boarding etc...
Der Fish
I fly from SDQ to Florida once a month and have noticed the same thing. Dominicans will do whatever it takes to scam the system, it's in their blood and upbringing. I also like the way Dominicans rush the isles when you land in the DR instead of letting each row of seats exit when it is there turn. I always watch this and do not let a single person pass my isle until everyone in my row has exited. More then a few times I have yelled in spanish at the offending Dominicans that you are still on an American Plane and must abide by U.S laws until you're outside. This always stops them in their tracks and makes them behave.
The record appears to be 26 as post #5. I do hope you have many less on your flight and less than the 18 that prompted me to post.........because it prolongs the journey and the issue needs to be tackled to benefit the majority of travelers whilst respecting the needs of the genuine disabled.
I can tell you first hand that the number of wheelchairs that board are not the same that deplane.
It is "known" in the industry that the flights to DR are "glorious" as we have many inflight "miracles".
They board in a wheelchair and by the grace of God, and the fact that you are so much closer to
heaven, upon touching down on the land of "Papa Dios" they proceed to walk right off the aircraft.
I questioned my friend for doing this (for her mom) when she was on her way to JFK. Their reasoning
was that she does not speak English and did not want to get lost at such a big airport. When you ride
the wheelchair they help you with your bags and take you all the way through the long customs lines for
free.
--Sigh...
It is "known" in the industry that the flights to DR are "glorious" as we have many inflight "miracles".
They board in a wheelchair and by the grace of God, and the fact that you are so much closer to
heaven, upon touching down on the land of "Papa Dios" they proceed to walk right off the aircraft.
I questioned my friend for doing this (for her mom) when she was on her way to JFK. Their reasoning
was that she does not speak English and did not want to get lost at such a big airport. When you ride
the wheelchair they help you with your bags and take you all the way through the long customs lines for
free.
--Sigh...
Unnecessary wheelchair use happens many places and quite a lot. It's pretty obvious when someone gets out of a wheelchair and continues on their way with no assistance or difficulty. It's been explained to me that people do it to avoid waiting in line and to get early boarding privilege. Obviously, it is not fair to people who really need the wheelchairs. They are forced to wait longer to deplane for lack of available wheelchairs and wheelchair attendants. Selfishness rules the day.
On my trip to Philadelphia in March, the flight attendant came to me to ask, after I boarded from a wheelchair, if I would need one at arrival. I simply said "yes," while thinking to myself, "Do you think that I received a miracle on this plane and now my leg is whole again?" I did, however, restrain myself from expressing the sarcasm.
LaProfe, now you know why.
The arrival destination is advised enroute of how many wheelchairs will be needed for deplaning.
The handlers are then ready and wait for you at the jetway.
So you see how its is comical that eighteen board and only one deplanes.
Nope. I flew Delta from SDQ to Atlanta two weeks ago, and their were 22 people in wheelchairs all lined up.
Might also have something to do with the fact that while folks in Wheelchairs are the first to board, they are the last to de-plane upon arrival..
And FYI, I counted 27 WC early boarding on my United flight from Santo Domingo to Newark last week. So many that I snapped a picture. Unbelievable!
These are the same people whom immediately collect ssi disability the moment they become legal.... So gross
Why are the number of wheelchair passengers to from SDQ to USA airports very high and not elsewhere?
My last three flights to St Martin on aircraft that carry similar passenger numbers to Jet Blue aircraft had only one or two wheelchair passengers and yet more Dominicans as a whole of the passengers flying. Iberia on a much larger aircraft had only a couple.
27 is our new record........why not post the photograph!
My last three flights to St Martin on aircraft that carry similar passenger numbers to Jet Blue aircraft had only one or two wheelchair passengers and yet more Dominicans as a whole of the passengers flying. Iberia on a much larger aircraft had only a couple.
27 is our new record........why not post the photograph!
No, I don't think so. If that was your Mother/Son/etc. in one of the wheelchairs, how would you feel about having their picture posted here without their permission? I know I wouldn't like it.
But if your interested in seeing the pic, send me your email address in a pm and I'll send it to you.
Quite a sight and I should have snapped it but out of respect for genuine disabled passengers though best not.
Understood.....my post #1....and that was only 18.
Very strange.
Seems to me boarding first and getting off the plane last are negative effects.
Anyway, I fail to see how a wheelchair will gain you more carry on luggage.
Logically, well its my logic anyhow, putting your carry on in an overhead bin first does not garanty it will stay there.
I am a " light " carry on person. Small backpack. Rule #27, only have a carry on you can run like mad with
BUT I plain refuse for my carry on to be let out of my sight.
Example. Last AA flight to miami out of STI.
I board the plane last. No place left in overhead bin thingys.
I refuse to let my bag go futher aft in the plane.
One seat #, one place for carry on. I dont budge and they always accomodate me.
Off topic ??
No, because the carry on bag they took out of the bin above my seat belonged to a party of wheelchair-ers !!!
Seems to me boarding first and getting off the plane last are negative effects.
Anyway, I fail to see how a wheelchair will gain you more carry on luggage.
Logically, well its my logic anyhow, putting your carry on in an overhead bin first does not garanty it will stay there.
I am a " light " carry on person. Small backpack. Rule #27, only have a carry on you can run like mad with
BUT I plain refuse for my carry on to be let out of my sight.
Example. Last AA flight to miami out of STI.
I board the plane last. No place left in overhead bin thingys.
I refuse to let my bag go futher aft in the plane.
One seat #, one place for carry on. I dont budge and they always accomodate me.
Off topic ??
No, because the carry on bag they took out of the bin above my seat belonged to a party of wheelchair-ers !!!
We flew SDQ to Philly on Saturday, since my knee reconstruction 18 months ago I use a wheelchair from check-in to the gate. I was one of 4 total on our very packed flight.
I think it is mostly genuine. A few people take advantage is my guess. The health care system in the dr is a mess. There are some good doctors and modern clinics. But there is no coordination. Who do you go see when you have an emergency ? Which clinic ? Which specialist ? You can find and pay for it maybe with your insurance. if you are lucky. My theory is that any Dominican and foriegner with the oppurtunity would go to the US for medicial attention. The people on here who are saying the people in wheelchairs are all frauds well I hope it does not happen to them some day.
My 80 year old MIL has circulation and balance problems. Travelling with her is an exercise in frustration. She refused to use a wheelchair and we basically had to leave hours earlier to make sure we had time to walk. She also wouldn't use a moving stair. Finally we talked her into using a wheelchair because not only was she slow she was in pain. Now she always uses a wheelchair , even though she can walk.
Very strange.
Seems to me boarding first and getting off the plane last are negative effects.
Anyway, I fail to see how a wheelchair will gain you more carry on luggage.
Logically, well its my logic anyhow, putting your carry on in an overhead bin first does not garanty it will stay there.
I am a " light " carry on person. Small backpack. Rule #27, only have a carry on you can run like mad with
BUT I plain refuse for my carry on to be let out of my sight.
Example. Last AA flight to miami out of STI.
I board the plane last. No place left in overhead bin thingys.
I refuse to let my bag go futher aft in the plane.
One seat #, one place for carry on. I dont budge and they always accomodate me.
Off topic ??
No, because the carry on bag they took out of the bin above my seat belonged to a party of wheelchair-ers !!!
So it was probably put in the overhead bins by the steward or stewardess.