I Pre-Board Now

A few months and plane rides after being diagnosed with MS, I realized I was missing out on an essential accommodation I could take advantage of at the airport: pre-boarding for disabled passengers.

Over time since my diagnosis, I’ve learned that, depending on my energy levels that day, standing in one place for extended amounts of time can start to flare my symptoms. In an airport, between walking to the gate and waiting to board, it’s a lot of time on your feet, and the whole process can take a lot of energy. Pre-diagnosis, it was my routine to arrive at the gate with plenty of time before boarding started so I didn’t feel rushed. It’s always been important to me to start my trip with the least stress possible (which is also why TSA pre-check has been critical) – and is now even more important since anything I can do to lower my stress levels is welcomed.

These days, finding a seat in the gate area and then boarding right away has been a game-changer for me, as it allows me to take my time once I board the plane to get situated. I always bring my cane with me for extra support when I’m walking through the airport or going down the jet bridge. It’s also as an external cue to people that yes, I do have a disability and need to pre-board.

Being part of the pre-boarding crowd has come with some interesting observations and situations:

• People love to look and I’m sure are silently judging. I’ve endured some stares but so far, no one has said anything rude to me. Trust me, I have some prepared remarks in case I do get any comments…
• Approaching the boarding process with low stress makes everyone else’s stress seem ten times more intense.
• Being the first person to board the plane is kind of wild. One time, I got into the jet bridge and all the way to the plane, only to be told that the gate agents acted too soon, and the tech crew needed more time to fix something. They were extremely kind and kept asking if I was ok or if I needed to sit down. I was fine, but it was super weird as I waited in the jet bridge alone!
• Most gate agents have been incredibly nice, asking if I need assistance to get down the jet bridge or if they should arrange a wheelchair for me on arrival.
• On a flight home from Orlando, an older woman behind me in the pre-boarding line was VERY agitated and insinuated that me and my husband were not in the right line. She kept repeating, “THIS IS THE PRE-BOARDING LINE.” I finally had to turn around and say, very loudly, while waving my cane, “I am also disabled and need to pre-board.” That quieted her down.
• I often feel self-conscious but have to remind myself that it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Enduring those few moments of feeling judged is worth it if I can get comfortably to my seat without anxiety.

I’ve got a lot of work travel, and hopefully some personal travel, coming up this year, and I will pre-board every time!