Several U.S. airports now offer visitor passes that let non-ticketed guests clear security to shop, dine, or meet travelers right at their arrival gate.
Anybody who remembers flying before 9/11 can recall what is perhaps one of the most charming habits of that bygone era: meeting friends and family right at the departure gate. Before the terrorist attack in 2001 immediately shuttered post-security areas in airports to anybody not traveling that day, it was common to meet someone directly at their arrival gate at the airport. The same was possible for those seeing off their compatriots when they departed; travelers could spend their time in friendly company right up until it was time to board.
Although airports have never really been the same since 9/11, it’s the loss of those few extra moments of connection with people we care about that seems to make airports feel just a little bit lonelier. Airports also bemoaned the loss of retail revenue once their so-called “airside” areas were limited to ticketed passengers. Many airports (perhaps most notably Pittsburgh International Airport) almost looked like shopping malls, with a huge amount of retail and dining after security.
Almost as soon as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) restricted airside to ticketed passengers, they also began making exceptions. Airlines then could (and still can) issue gate passes to parents of children traveling alone, as many of them require an adult to stay in the departure gate until the flight is airborne. Passengers with disabilities can also request a pass for someone to escort them to the departure gate.
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Some years ago, airports also quietly began offering passes to people without tickets for travel, either to see off or meet friends and family at their departure gate, or simply to explore the airport to shop and dine without departing on a flight.
In her Stuck at the Airport blog, travel journalist Harriet Baskas recently shared an update to the program at San Diego International Airport (SAN), which expanded the number of terminals where the program was available, along with a list of several other airports that offer visitor passes.
How It Works
Those wanting to see off their friends and family at the airport this holiday season can do so (provided their airport is participating), but it requires a little bit of advance planning. For visitors without a boarding pass, the TSA still needs a way to screen personal details against security watchlists, the same way they do with ticketed passengers. For each of the airports, pre-registration is required so the TSA can run these checks, and most of them involve an email approval or denial from the TSA the day of the visit.
Once a pass is approved, visitors can go to a general screening lane at the TSA checkpoint with their pass to gain access. Visitor passes can’t be used with TSA PreCheck or Clear, and some airports also require that visitors use a specific checkpoint for entry. The amount of time visitors can spend in the secure area is also limited, with most airports limiting the time to several hours. They also require visitors to leave the terminal by a certain time in the late evening. Airports also limit the number of passes they give out per day to prevent congestion for ticketed passengers at the screening checkpoints.
The same screening rules apply to visitors, meaning liquids are limited, and many airports also prohibit visitors from taking a suitcase with them through the checkpoint, although small bags like purses and briefcases are allowed. There’s no spur-of-the-moment travel allowed for visitors either – they can’t go through security on a visitor pass, then buy a ticket to fly.
Most airports also point out that non-ticketed visitors escorting unaccompanied minors or passengers with disabilities should continue to request their passes from the airline the passenger they’re escorting is traveling with. Visitors without boarding passes also cannot use airline or independently operated lounges—those require a same-day boarding pass.
Although it requires a trip through the TSA checkpoint, there are definite benefits to accompanying friends to the departure gate or meeting them directly off their flights—perhaps a bit more cheer to travelers this holiday and throughout the year.
Visitor passes are available at the following U.S. airports, including four in California:
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
John Wayne Airport – Orange County, CA (SNA)
Capital Region International Airport – Lansing, MI (LAN)
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Tri Cities Airport – Pasco, WA (PSC)
Tulsa International Airport (TUL)
