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New Programs Allow Non-Flyers Through Security, Wait at Gate

New Programs Allow Non-Flyers Through Security, Wait at Gate

BY LUKE WIROSTKO Published on June 28, 2023 51 COMMENTS

A rule that has been in place since the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001 is slowly being relaxed across American airports. Consistent with the heightened airport security measures following the September 11th attacks, only ticketed passengers that cleared the security screening have had access to the secure airside area of the terminal. A new program being rolled out across American airports seeks to change that, allowing general members of the public to access the airside areas of American airport terminals to see off travelers.

 

Photo: Daniel Mena | AeroXplorer

 

A new program being rolled out across America allows non-travelers to meet and mingle with friends and family in the post-security airside part of the terminal. A once common occurrence, general members of the public are able to meet their friends and family right at the gate when enrolled in the new visitor pass program. 

 

The visitor pass program, currently being offered at select American airports, allows members of the non-traveling public to pass through the security checkpoint and access the once-restricted airside part of the terminal. 

 



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The program seeks to enable non-traveling members of the public to spend additional time greeting and sending off friends and family who are flying, as well as to access the local shops and vendors located behind TSA security checkpoints. 

 

This Visitor pass program is currently being offered at seven United States airports, all of them following similar steps. Firstly, passengers must apply online as part of an application process. Here, passengers provide personal identification data, such as what appears on government-issued ID cards. 

 

Photo: Zach Plaster | AeroXplorer

 

Some airports require passengers to also provide the exact date and time that they will be arriving at the airport. This is part of security measures that only allow a limited number of non-ticketed people into the secure airside area of the terminal. 

 

The number of guests able to be airside at one time varies by airport. Most Airports require guests to reserve their slot ahead of time to prevent passengers from being turned away.

 



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Once a person's application is approved, visitors arrive at the airport. They must pass through the security checkpoint just as a normal ticketed passenger would. One additional restriction here is that non-ticketed visitors may only use the general screening lane when clearing TSA security. Even if a visitor is already enrolled in TSA PreCheck or Clear, they must still use the general screening lane when they don't have a boarding pass.

 

Once a visitor passes through the security checkpoint, they are free to roam the secure airside part of the terminal just like any other passenger.

 

Photo: Daniel Mena | AeroXplorer

 

The Following US airports currently offer a Visitor Pass Program:

 

-Tulsa International Airport (TUL)

-Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

-Ontario International Airport (ONT)

-Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

-Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Country International Airport (DTW)

-Bishop International Airport (FNT)

-John Wayne International Airport (SNA)

 



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Each airport has its specific program, with its own rules and regulations varying between airports. Individuals that are interested should view that specific airport's website for the precise details on how, when, and where to apply.

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Comments (51)

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376d ago • Reply
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386d ago • Reply
J P I cant imagine the congestion this will add to a busy airport like ATL, CLT, DFW. While it might have been ok 30 years ago, this will foster increased discontent with commercial flying and already aggravated passengers when flights are delayed/cancelled. Need to keep cell phone lots and not allow this if an airport has more than 4 (pick a number) gates
636d ago • Reply
Aidan R. Very interesting article Mr. Wirostko, I didn’t know any airports in the United States or Canada still had this option.
644d ago • Reply
Ron I believe this is a unnecessary and ridiculous rule! The security lines are over extended with actual passengers. I do not see ANY advantages to this change. What is the real reason they want to implement this program. It works just fine meeting at the main terminal than allowing much more congestion’s to the already full gates! This is totally useless!
643d ago • Reply
JAYSON BOLL you must be tsa...
Oliver Rabitsch 1st It worked before, why not back to previous. But do people want it back, I would? 2nd Introduced rules need constant review, security technology wise it is not 2001 anymore. Use latest technology and personnel to give that space back to people, it belongs to them, they paid for it. Just secure the acsess into planes, the security checkpoint has already made sure that prohibited items were kept outside. We need aviation to be connected to happiness and airplanes. I think its time to open up public airports by connecting an airport experience with something good, instead of a stressful environment. No wonder why young people nowadays are not interested in aviation anymore, aviation is too locked behind bars, we have to build back enthousiasm for aviation for young people by a nice travel experence.
643d ago • Reply
Bob Schwarz
Dave Guessing that this is designed to allow family members to board children, seniors and handicapped persons as the airlines do a terrible job of protecting passengers from getting lost in crowded airports.
642d ago • Reply
Marty As if the terminals aren’t crowded enough as it is. Trying to find a place to sit while awaiting your flight will be almost impossible. What is the difference if family meets at the baggage pickup or at the gate? A couple hundred feet?
642d ago • Reply
Abdul Abusada This definitely has some upsides and some downsides to it. Terminals are already crowded the way they are, so this is only going to make things worse (unless they limit how many general public people enter in a day). Also, Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) in Louisiana does have the Visitor’s Pass program. They’ve had it for over a year now. I’ve had the opportunity to do it twice to check out the new terminal building.
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