Long winded and odd question: We're flying into Paris in 2 days (yay!) but have a layover in Stuttgart. It's only 1.5 hours but we will be bringing gifts for our relatives that live in Stuttgart which we are going to be seeing again when we leave (2 weeks later). I'm wondering how difficult it might be for our cousin to get into the terminal and get the items so we're not lugging the stuff around 2 countries. I know in the US, you have to have a boarding pass to get past security. Is this the same in Stuttgart? I'm totally for security but was really hoping to unload our stuff when we were there the 1st time.
Is she able to get a Gate Pass? Thanks!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23290 posts
She will need a gate pass same as in the US. Have her call your airline in Stuttgart to ask which reasons are acceptable for a pass. An alternative would be for one of you to carry the items out to her and return through security. Since you would be carrying nothing security should be pretty quick on the return. A third alternative would be to met her at security and have another person exiting security give the items to her. You would have to have eye contact with her so the person you are asking would not think you were crazy.
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19099 posts
It's been a few years since I've flown into Stuttgart (Aug. '02). Unless it's changed, it's quite a small airport. I would think 1.5 hours would be enough to make the the transfer, but you would have to go through immigration (Passport Control) before getting to security. Then there is the question of how you are transporting the gifts. If you can bring it with you as carryon, it will be easier. If it's checked, then you will have to pickup the checked bags (make sure they were tagged for Stuttgart), take out the stuff, and recheck the bags for Paris.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, GA, United States
45 posts
Thank you for the feedback! It's been 6 years since we flew into Stuttgart but I think you're right that it is small. We're going to try having one of us go through Customs with just the gifts (it will be in our carry-ons) and the other will stay at the gate with all the baggage. We did check and there is another flight 3 hours later in case we do miss the flight. After packing tonite, we definitely need to unload everything! We're going with just a carry on and a backpack each.
Posted by
Copenhagen, Denmark
265 posts
Getting past security in Europe without a bording pass is next to impossible, special permission is only granted in few cases. Picking something up is not a valid reason, accompanying an elder or minor passenger is also often not a valid reason. You need to exit security and reenter.