Many today see the practice of accompanying loved ones to their airport gate for a last-minute embrace before takeoff or a warm welcome home as relics from a bygone age.
However, with the help of programs at around a half-dozen airports, non-fliers may now receive a guest or visiting card that allows them to pass through the TSA checkpoint without a ticket, bringing back the possibility of farewells and hellos at the gate.
There are now airports in the United States that provide similar services. The ONT+ Visitor Pass, a brand-new service introduced on October 17 at California's Ontario International Airport, is the most recent example.
Ontario, California
While the ONT+ Visitor Pass Program at the airport is free, visitors without tickets may need to plan by up to a week. Initial steps include submitting a web-based application with personal details, including name, DOB, and expected arrival date/time at a selected terminal. Passes are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to TSA review and approval.
Remember that if you are granted a digital pass, you will get an email with instructions on accessing the key and showing it at the airport; paper passes will not be accepted.
Orange County, California
The other visitor pass program in California, OC AirPASS, debuted in late April 2020 at John Wayne Airport in Orange County. In addition, unlike similar services at other airports, registration is optional in advance.
To apply for a pass, travelers need to present a valid government-issued I.D. between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Information Booth in Terminals A, B, or C. Applications are checked through a secure online system, and the entire process—from submission to printed pass—takes only a few minutes.
New Orleans
Louis Armstrong, The $1.6 billion makeover of New Orleans International Airport, was presented in December, and the MSY was introduced the following month. Up to 50 guests can now enjoy the program for free Monday through Friday and up to 100 guests on the weekends.
All prospective pass holders must submit an online form with their data at least 24 hours in advance. Finally, they'll need to stop by a customer service counter on their visit to check their identification and pick up their pass.
Passes may be picked up beginning at 11 a.m and ending at 8 p.m. Passes are required for everyone above the age of 13, and participants are restricted to a maximum of one visit per calendar month.
Detroit
Detroit's DTW Destination Pass, which was first introduced in October 2019 and then put on hold for six months in 2020 due to the pandemic, is now allowing up to seventy-five non-travelers each day on a first-come, first-served basis access to the Evan terminal between the hours of eight in the morning and eight in the evening.
Online registration closes at 8 p.m. the day before the applicant's desired to visit. If the application is not posted online, the program's maximum enrollment of 75 participants has been attained, or the deadline has passed.
Seattle
The SEA Visitor Pass program, the first on the West Coast, makes it easy for non-travelers to enjoy unique Seattle experiences within Sea-Tac terminals, such as shopping at the Sub Pop store, treating a vegan friend to a delicious plant-based dinner before the flight, and more.
Airport spokeswoman Perry Cooper called the initiative, which began with a test phase in 2018 and currently provides 150 slots each day, "extremely successful." We have had a few problems filling up all the spots, but we still recommend making reservations ahead of time, he stated in an email.
Bishop, Flint, Michigan
The airport's FNT Visitor Pass scheme, which will debut in 2021, is easy to understand. It is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., but people must apply a day beforehand. Applicants will get an acceptance email, and then they must provide a government-issued I.D. at the airport's on-site police station to receive their passes.
You must enter your name, date of birth, and gender EXACTLY as they appear on the identification that will be submitted during check-in, the website advises. You need to type everything correctly or provide identification that matches the name on your registration to be able to use the service.
