When no UC priority is in place at gate...

I have been reading trip reports all weekend (and thoroughly enjoyed them, thanks to everyone who takes time to post)

I read that when its a bit of a free for all at the gate UC pax just take themselves off to the front of the queue holding their lovely purple boarding cards aloft

Now, do you just go to the front of the line where you go through the last passport/boarding card check bit, or, when your past that then faced with a mile long line in the tunnel bit that goes to the aircraft door - do you go to the front of that line aswell?

Reason I'm asking, is that I will have a wheelchair to the gate & can go to the front of the line with my purple boarding card - but will then have to walk with my cane & wait in line in the tunnel if its not the done thing to go to the front. If thats the case then I may be better off just waiting until everyone is onboard then making my way down an empty tunnel so no standing around.

Whats the usual protocol?

Thanks

[honey lamb]

If you are in a wheelchair there is every possibility that you will be pre-boarded before everyone else. I would advise you to remain in the wheelchair and not walk down the jetway with your cane as you will be jostled by the crowd surging behind you. Even if boarding has commenced when you get to the gate area the wheelchair pusher will negotiate you through the crowd there to get you on board

People who require special assistance (including passengers in wheelchairs) are boarded first regardless of the colour of their boarding card. Basically you will be taken down from the CH earlier than the general call and boarded prior to general boarding (you will be taken to the aircraft doors in the chair).Having travelled with my stepfather (who has a motorised scooter) I have to say that VS have always been excellent at getting him on (and off) the plane regardless of the cabin he's been travelling in.
Just make special assistance at VS aware of the fact that you'll be in a wheelchair (even if it's your own).
DL

Thanks for your replies, I didnt know you could be taken in a wheelchair directly to the aircraft door, previously my Dad has been taken to the gate in a chair, then the porter leaves & we walk down the tunnel. Virgin have always called special assistance people forward first, (we had I think a green tag put on our hand luggage by) but as always its like a zoo at the gate with people lining up & milling around when they havent been called yet !

Being jostled is definately something I need to avoid as I'm not quite steady on my feet again yet, so thats really good to know that I can get all the way to the aircraft doors in the chair. I am bringing my own but will have checked it in with the luggage, so will need the porter service.

[Darren Wheeler]

On arrival though, wheelchair passengers are the last off

On arrival though, wheelchair passengers are the last off

Can't speak for other airports but at MAN you may be last off in a wheelchair but you get to go through the staff channel at immigration, therefore skipping the entire queue no matter it's length!

Thank you. I dont mind being last off, I have to wait for the rest of the family who are back in the hold anyways )

I just spoke to special assistance and they said someone will collect me from the clubhouse & take me down to the aircraft, there will also be someone waiting at the other end with a chair too, so its all sorted y)