Handicapped Parking Etiquette Question

"J. Walter Weatherman" (J-WalterWeatherman)
10/28/2013 at 11:10 • Filed to: None

I bought season tickets for University of Arizona basketball this year from a guy that wasn't going to be able to use his because of health reasons. The tickets come with a parking pass for the garage next to the arena, and since the guy that I got them from is handicapped, the parking pass is for the handicapped parking area in the garage. I am young and able-bodied, so I don't feel right parking in the handicapped area, but the pass that I have is actually only good in the handicapped area.

What do I do?

One option is going to the school and trying to trade the pass out for a non-handicapped one, but since I am not actually the owner of the season tickets, and you are not supposed to resell the tickets, I don't know if I am opening up a can of worms by going to the school and potentially have them question why I have the tickets.

Another option is to just park in the non-handicapped area and assume that no parking officer with half a brain would actually ticket me for NOT parking in a handicapped spot. On the other hand, I worry that parking in a regular spot, when the school was expecting me to be using up a handicapped space, would actually mean that I am taking away a spot from someone else, and leaving one unused spot that most people can't park in.

DISCUSSION (13)

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > J. Walter Weatherman
10/28/2013 at 11:13

Get made up to look like an old man with a walker.

"Borrow" a handicap placard, old people don't put up much of a fight trust me on this one.

Park in a handicap space. Call it good.

CalzoneGolem > J. Walter Weatherman
10/28/2013 at 11:14

I can't imagine you'd get a ticket for not parking in the handicap spots. What if the handicap spots were filled? Could the handicap people no longer park?

ncasolowork2 > J. Walter Weatherman
10/28/2013 at 11:16

I don't know what I would do, but I do know I wouldn't park in a handicapped spot.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > J. Walter Weatherman
10/28/2013 at 11:19

Call them, and just say he gave them to you,BECAUSE of his health reasons. They probably won't say anything.

J. Walter Weatherman > CalzoneGolem
10/28/2013 at 11:20

Well, the thing is, for the games, I think that they give out an equivalent number of handicapped parking permits as there are handicapped spaces (and the same goes for the non-handicapped spaces) so that problem shouldn't arise. Regular parking permit + generic handicapped placard does not actually mean you can park in the handicapped area of the garage, you need the special handicapped game parking permit.

It's a "Porch-uh" > J. Walter Weatherman
10/28/2013 at 11:20

I would ask somebody the first day you're there. Tell them your friend gave you his tickets for this game, with the parking pass, and see where they would like you to park since you don't want to take up a handicap spot. Use that guidance going forward.

Mosqvich > J. Walter Weatherman
10/28/2013 at 11:20

I have have a handicapped placard. It won't do squat to use the placard elsewhere in hopes of not getting ticket typically. Why not scope out the parking garage, maybe not every spot is technically set aside for handicapped and then use the one farthest away and sleep easy. I avoided using mine until a Sergeant who worked for me basically "ordered" me to use it. It's super easy to get a placard and a lot of people really don't need them. Having said that, this isn't a license to park in handicapped spots elsewhere. In this case, it's reserved and paid for - that's significant. I once parked in a handicapped spot in a lot that turned out to be private and my car was towed. See what I mean? In your case, the spot has been paid for and isn't a true handicapped spot like you'd see at the mall or downtown. That's just my opinion.

CalzoneGolem > J. Walter Weatherman
10/28/2013 at 11:22

Regardless, I think you'll be good.

Gamecat235 > J. Walter Weatherman
10/28/2013 at 11:24

Break a leg! Uh... no, that's terrible advice.

Option the first in my mind is: Park elsewhere. There is, as you very likely know, plenty of parking not far from McKale. Just avoid the situation.

Option the second would be to park in a non-handicap space in the same area as the pass designates. Nothing would prevent those with temporary handicaps from parking in the handicapped spaces if they had appropriate signage. (Edit, read your other response, this is apparently not true, though would be fun for other things dealing with this situation... I still think the first option is the absolute simplest).

Option simply do not it is to park in the handicapped space.

And I have now basically been an echo of what you already know, and have already said. Look at me! I'm helpful!

J. Walter Weatherman > Gamecat235
10/28/2013 at 11:35

Yeah, I don't really like the idea of just not parking there at all. I had to pay over $100 for the parking permit (it was one of those "if you want my tickets, you have to buy my parking permit too" deals), so the idea of not using it seems like a waste of money. I am thinking I just try to see if there are any event staff that I can ask as I am pulling up, and if not, just park in a regular spot and trust that no one would be dick enough to ticket me for NOT parking in a handicapped spot.

J. Walter Weatherman > It's a "Porch-uh"
10/28/2013 at 11:37

Yeah, that sounds like the most reasonable answer.

J. Walter Weatherman > ncasolowork2
10/28/2013 at 11:39

Agreed. Even though I am pretty sure I wouldn't actually be taking a spot away from someone that is handicapped (because I assume there are only as many handicapped parking permits as there are handicapped parking spots in this garage) it just doesn't seem right.

It's a "Porch-uh" > J. Walter Weatherman
10/28/2013 at 13:20

Or, park like the guy in your photo and write "SUCKS NOT TO WALK" in feces on any actually handicapped peoples' cars.

^ The most un-reasonable answer.