[famw]

I asked the gate attendant in Philadelphia before I boarded my flight to Louisville on 6/1 if I could board before the other passengers as I am disabled and had the allowable bag and personal item. But I walk with a cane and had a book so it would be a little awkward for me to get on board with a bunch of people walking or in most cases stampeding behind me.

When it came time, they allowed me to go first BUT, right behind me came about 10 "First Class" and high mileage pax. This is the first time I have flown in 20 years and it was an island hopper type airplane and all the seat numbers were on the right side of the plane going in. And by the time I got into the plane, the others were on my heels and the flight attendant was now blocked by all these passengers. I now had no idea where my seat was. i just assumed where it was after looking at the numbers, put my bag up in a bin and put my briefcase under my seat and held my cane.

After all the pax were seated, I was advised that I could not put my briefcase under my seat because I was in an emergency exit (Now I could not be able to do any work that I had planned. Glad I had the book.) and I had to put my cane in the overhead bin as well. Now my items were scattered all over the plane. This caused me to have to wait until almost the entire plane was empty so I could find my bag and cane so I could get off.

The return trip was much better. The guy at least let me get on before anyone else. I guess Southern hospitality in Louisville outranks Philadelphia any day. I won't be taking US Airways any time soon.