Go to the gate to meet grandma. I remember those days.

MSP (Minneapolis) should be on the list too. I was able to get gate passes to meet an arriving parent with limited vision, and accompany them when they departed some days later. It does need to be a special circumstance. and I was screened same as a passenger.

SEA makes it pretty simple--- https://hosting.portseattle.org/atv/#/Dashboard

Limited to 300 folks per day. Average number of screened passengers is 49k per day. ( doubt anyone will notice the additional 0.6% in line)

Understanding this would benefit some travelers who genuinely need assistance and its well intentioned, putting more bodies airside doesn't seem the most pressing need in aviation today, the best use of limited TSA and airport resources or improving the airport experience of the average ticketed traveler. Many of the gates we have utilized of late have limited seating, seem to converge with other gates (especially the regionals) and at times there is barely enough room for folks to pass thru. The prospect of more bodies congesting the airside floor, no thanks.

They should charge twenty or thirty dollars a person. Then I am okay.

Yes, I realize this reporter just found out about this, but as someone who’s been going to gate to meet my older family members for the past 15 years , this is not new.

And I should pay to go meet them? Wow

Carol, not all of the world is as informed as you are. The article does quote the dates when it began at most of the airports listed. It was news to me. I had no idea, not even that it was recently started in my home town (February), but I dont get out much. I will run this sort of thing past more informed folks first before I post.

dootle, some airport only let a few hundred a day through, the article left that issue on answered on a few other airports. I dont fall into a catagory that believes that there are things in life that come without cost. Since everyone going to the gates will need a background check, I sort of wonder who will pay for it. Its in the cost of airline tickets for the passengers, and a few hundred guests isnt going to break the bank, but these things could start growing then who is going to pay for the additional staff and with equipment working more the maintenance and the electric bill to maintain it? I would just assume the start charging now so we can bury that argument.

Oddly the Points Guy just found out about this too (8 December article). I think his list is more complete: https://thepointsguy.com/airline/airports-terminal-visit-without-plane-ticket/

AI, which, like Wikipedia, is never wrong says:
Numerous U.S. airports offer visitor pass programs, including:
Akron-Canton Airport (CAK)
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
Bishop International Airport (FNT)
Capital Region International Airport (LAN)
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK)
Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Tri-Cities Airport (PSC)
Tulsa International Airport (TUL)

But I dont know that any of them are walk into the airport and get your pass sort of arrangments. I think most if not all are going to be request in advace, so its still not like the good old days.

I always walk in.. go to the special services desk and get my pass in ATL which isn't even on the list

Never even occurred to me to call

Doing it Saturday to pick up a relative... will report back!

Carol, the airports that have formalized it, might make you call and might make you be one of the first 75 so this might be working against your routine.

According to AI, here is how it is working in San Antonio since February.

How to Get an SAT Pass
- Apply Online: Go to the flysanantonio.com/satpass website (or the
official SAT Airport site) at least 24 hours before your visit.
- Receive Pass: If approved, you'll get a digital QR code via email.
- Get Through Security: Show the QR code and your valid photo ID to the
TSA agent to go through security.

Key Things to Remember
- Free Program: The SAT Pass is a free service.
- Advance Request: Apply at least 24 hours prior.
- ID Required: Always bring your photo ID. (I suspect that means the
Real ID)
- Minors: Minors need their own pass and must be with an adult.

I have done this several times when taking the developmentally disabled adult child of a good friend to Sacramento International to fly to Seattle to visit his mother, then again on his return to Sacramento. I also did this a number of times when our granddaughter was younger and would fly here from Los Angeles. In all cases I would wait at the gate until the plane departed and be there before the arrival. The thought of charging people to assure a passenger who can’t travel without some assistance is taken care of is unfathomable to me. I guess some people have never had to experience helping people in this way.

Seems to me that it's generally in the airlines' and airports' interest to allow people to accompany minors, elderly or disabled to and from a gate. It saves the airlines and airports resources better used to actually run the airline and the airport. I've gotten gate passes several times over the years to help my dad. I just went up to the ticket counter and got one. Had to show ID and my dad's itinerary. This is in Seattle, various LA airports and Sacramento.

Seems to me that it's generally in the airlines' and airports'
interest to allow people to accompany minors, elderly or disabled to
and from a gate.

I agree 100% I used to do it for my mother when she would return from treatment. But that wasnt entirely what we are talking about now. I arranged it through the airline and it always was a lot of work to make happen.

What is being described now is recreational. It may, depending on the airport, work either against the support mission or independent of it. Why? Because there are, at some airports, quantity limits. A few hundred greeting girlfriends might prevent me from helping my mother unless what you are describing is seperate; and i suspect it is.

EDIT: I checked and SW Airlines still has the Non Passenger Escort Pass service. Its presumably available at every airport they go to and has nothing to do with a program instituted by the airport (the topic). We live in a beautiful culture and exceptions to care for those that needed it are expected.

Sorry Mr E for misunderstanding the initial post (my fault for not reading carefully), but "Go to the gate to meet grandma" does suggest we're talking about going to the gate to meet grandma or someone similarly in need of assistance. Not a "recreational" meet and greet.

Trotter, you got me on that one. Yes, grandma sounded .... I should first than Southwest for all they did for my mother. It was above and beyond. To this day I go to the mat for Southwest. G-d bless them.

Trotter on a side note. I woukd have assumed the same as you, and often still do. But my greatest effort the last 6 years has been to try and read and listen for what might have bern the good intent. Still I fail half the time but when I get it right it makes life so much more beatltiful. G-d bless and keep you safe.

Posted by dootle
Palmetto State USA
12/18/25 06:33 AM
71 posts

Understanding this would benefit some travelers who genuinely need
assistance and its well intentioned, putting more bodies airside
doesn't seem the most pressing need in aviation today, the best use of
limited TSA and airport resources or improving the airport experience
of the average ticketed traveler. Many of the gates we have utilized
of late have limited seating, seem to converge with other gates
(especially the regionals) and at times there is barely enough room
for folks to pass thru. The prospect of more bodies congesting the
airside floor, no thanks.

I'm fine with someone at the gate to assist a passenger.

But I remember the days of trying to get off the plane to make a connection and entire families were clogging the exit of the jetway hugging and kissing and squealing.
Now they block the exit from the secure area or in one airport I use, stop at the end of the escalator where no one else can get out or off.