@southwestair 1. ALWAYS CALL AHEAD OF TIME 2. Ask who the on call manager will be and request to meet them at your gate. Make sure the special services (terrible name btw) knows you will require the use of an aisle chair and people to assist with transfers. They legally have to provide this. 3. When going through security, make sure TSA has set your items aside while waiting for the male or female assist who will do your pat down. They are not allowed to try to lift you in order to touch under your butt. I have often been asked to stand and someone tried to lift me without consent in the past, always ask for a supervisor if you feel like something isn’t right. 4. DO NOT CHECK YOUR WHEELCHAIRS OR ASSISTIVE DEVICES, keep them with you and have them loaded at the same time you are loaded so you can instruct how to handle your equipment. 5. Get the names and numbers of the manager on duty and every person who touches your wheelchair. 6. Take before and after photos at the airport of every angle of your wheelchair or assistive devices. 7. Before boarding, request a meeting with the manager and the loading crew (every hand that will be touching the wheelchair) insist they come talk with you before you are loaded so you can give detailed advice for how to best care for your device. Record those conversations, no matter what this is legal because an airport is a public space therefore you are allowed to record. You don’t have to tell them you are recording either. There is a manager above and below the wing, make sure they are both present during these discussions. 8. If you arrive to a broken chair, DO NOT LEAVE THE AIRPORT! File a damage report at baggage claim office and speak to the manager there as well. Take photos again showing the damage while you are still at the airport. 9. Global Repair Group is the airline’s connection to vendors that service wheelchairs. You are in control of who works on your wheelchair, so do not allow them to select a company you are not comfortable with handling your equipment. When GRG calls, tell them who you feel comfortable with working on your chair. 10. Call GRG every single day for updates