NOT flying? TSA may let you go to through security anyway
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If you’re interested in accompanying someone through security or meeting someone at the gate at Detroit or Dallas-Fort Worth, there’s breaking news:
The Transportation Security Administration is testing whether it can ease a post-9/11 policy that bars people from meeting relatives and friends at airports as they come off flights.
A test program at Dallas/Fort Worth and Detroit airports could pave the way for other airports to allow non-travelers through checkpoints to meet passengers or shop at stores and restaurants.
“There are a lot of airports that would like people without boarding passes to have access to concessions,” said Michael Conway, a spokesman for Detroit Metro Airport, which starts its test next week. Dallas’ test started last week.
Glad to hear that airport concessions are the key consideration. But as long as all visitors are adequately screened, this is a welcome customer-friendly move. (It also effectively suggests that the TSA brass agrees with Christopher Soghoian that the boarding pass and ID check are effectively useless.)
I don’t think too many people will take advantage of it, frankly, but it’s nice to know the option is there and that the regulations are up for periodic re-evaluation. Now if only they’d reconsider the ban on beverages…
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December 8th, 2006 at 8:37 am |
However, you must be a guest at the airport hotel to be allowed to take advantage of this rule, so there will be an extremely small amount of people who can take advantage of this policy.
I’ve felt, since the implementation of the rules in 2001, that there should be windows of opportunity to allow non-passengers through security (i.e. during non-peak travel times, and with the stipulation that TSA can impose a traveler-only rule at individual times if the need arises.) I think the “fair” tradeoff would be to severely restrict what non-travelers can bring into the sterile area.
Bottom line: this is a good first step.
December 8th, 2006 at 9:29 am |
I know it is going to be a very very very small amount of people, but what about wait lines. Is anyone worried that lines are going to become even longer especially during peak times of the day and the year?
December 8th, 2006 at 11:47 am |
So it’s really about money. The airside restuarants and news stands are hurting for business, so they’re going to allow non passengers inside the terminal.
Anything for security, except when it stops someone from making a buck or two.
What a stupid plan the TSA is proposing.
December 8th, 2006 at 10:43 pm |
Last time when I went past security is by asking the gate agent for a one-time pass. I was escorting my wife and kids…
December 9th, 2006 at 10:05 am |
An Escort pass can be obtained, as Andy mentioned. These are ’standard’ if you are accompanying a minor or an elderly person to the gate, or meeting them. And I’ve been able to talk a gate agent out of an Escort pass when I simply wanted to meet my wife at her gate, but my status with that airline helped in that situation.
There’s an easier way to do it. Simply arrive at the airport and buy a same-day nonrestricted (in other words, refundable) ticket from any airline that uses the terminal you want to enter. Make sure it’s for a departure that is a few hours after you desire to be behind the gate, and you don’t need to mention that you’re only buying it to get into the secured area. You then have a boarding pass to go through Theatrical Security Association’s security line like any other traveler. When you’re done meeting your loved ones at the gate (or meeting your friends in the Red Carpet Club for drinks, or whatever) just go back to the counter and tell them your plans have changed and you want your ticket refunded. There’s nothing illegal or shady or risky about it, other than having the funds on your credit card tied up temporarily.
December 9th, 2006 at 5:49 pm |
“the boarding pass and ID check are effectively useless”
Uh, no, that check will just move (back) to the gates.
I would say that they recognize/belive that they can catch the baddies on the way in, or that they believe that they can spot the transfer of the bits needed for the bomb/gun.
Or they’ve made a terrible error in judgement.
-TF