Brandon Townsley. (Photo Credit: Celestyal)
Not Flying? These U.S. Airports Let You Pass Through Security as a Visitor
14.09.2023 - 18:51 / afar.com
Prior to the pandemic, a slowly growing number of U.S. airports had started allowing visitors to do something they used to be able to do regularly in the pre-9/11 era of air travel: meet and mingle at the terminal gates, see their friends and family take off, or welcome loved ones with a warm embrace right at the gate, regardless of whether they were flying anywhere.
The trend of allowing approved visitors without a boarding pass to venture past security (or airside as the postsecurity gate area is sometimes called) was put on the back burner as airports weathered the pandemic storm. But over the past year, these programs have started to crop back up again at several airports throughout the country with Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida the latest to launch its version of an airport guest pass.
The new Experience MCO Visitor Pass program, which was unveiled earlier this month, allows unticketed guests to obtain a visitor pass that they can use to head through TSA security checkpoints and either spend more time with friends and family before they depart or greet them when they land. The MCO Visitor Pass is also meant to simply make the bars, restaurants, and retail stores in the airport’s recently unveiled new Terminal C more widely available, including to the non-traveling public.
To get a MCO Visitor Pass, non-fliers need to fill out an online application within seven days of their visit. Visitors will be notified via email if they have been approved for a pass and will be allowed to enter Terminal C on their designated pass day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and must leave by 8 p.m.
For all of these programs, an email verification, together with a TSA-approved photo ID, is used to pass through the TSA security checkpoints at the designated airports and terminals that offer the service. Those with a visitor pass are subject to the same security screening regulations as air travelers and will not be allowed to bring any items prohibited by TSA through security. (Note that many airports allow some unticketed travelers to pass through security to, for instance, bring an unaccompanied minor to their gate, or assist a family member with a disability. But this is different than the visitor pass programs, which do not require a specific reason for entry, and are intended to allow guests to also access and enjoy the services and amenities that are available in the terminal.)
This article was originally published in November 2018, and was updated on September 14, 2023, to include current information.
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
insider.com
03.10.2023 / 15:47
I booked the wrong Airbnb while backpacking through Europe, and it completely derailed my sleep schedule
After a sleepless night on an overnight train from Berlin to Vienna, I couldn't wait to check into my Airbnb in the Austrian city.
travelandleisure.com
02.10.2023 / 17:03
TSA Reminds Travelers Not to X-ray Their Pets When Going Through Security
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reminding travelers not to put their pets through X-ray machines.
skift.com
30.09.2023 / 18:35
IDEAS: Florida Airport Launches Checkout-Free Store
A new store powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology has opened at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
cntraveler.com
29.09.2023 / 21:35
What Is the Best Suitcase? Use This Easy Guide to Find Your Ideal Bag
A trusted piece of luggage is the cornerstone of any good travel uniform. Sure, comfortable shoes and a sweatshirt to keep warm mid-flight are key pieces of the puzzle, but nothing ruins a journey quite like a broken handle, malfunctioning wheel, or busted zipper. Beyond a solid structure, though, there are myriad considerations to make when finding your ideal bag: How much are you willing to spend? Are you team carry-on or prefer to check? Do you like the sleek look of a hardshell case or want the flexibility of a soft-sided piece? We used this criteria to create what we hope is a handy guide to shopping for the right luggage. Hover over the icons below for more information, and click ‘read more’ for a full review from our well-traveled team of editors and contributors.
thepointsguy.com
28.09.2023 / 18:27
I flew to Atlanta for the day to earn a 2-month Southwest Companion Pass — here's why (and how it went)
Earlier this year, Southwest Airlines brought back its promotion to earn a limited-time Companion Pass. If you registered, booked a flight between Aug. 28 and Aug. 30 and completed travel by Sept. 30, you'd earn a coveted Companion Pass valid from Jan. 8 through March 8, 2024.
travelandleisure.com
25.09.2023 / 22:33
Breeze Is Offering 25% Off Flights and Points Towards Your Next Trip — Here's How
Low-cost airline Breeze Airways is rewarding travelers both before and after they fly by discounting flights and then offering travelers points toward another flight after they travel.
insider.com
25.09.2023 / 18:47
Here's why you should think twice before recording drama on an airplane, an FAA rep warns
Social media has recently been flooded with dramatic clips of people disrupting flights, often causing delays when they're booted from the airplanes.
travelpulse.com
22.09.2023 / 04:05
The Current State of Traveler Satisfaction With North American Airports
Traveler satisfaction with North American airports climbed this year despite numerous challenges from an ongoing pilot shortage to record passenger volumes.According to the J.D. Power 2023 North America Airport Satisfaction Study released Wednesday, overall satisfaction improved by 3 points to 780 on a 1,000-point scale. The rise was propelled by improvements in three key areas, including terminal facilities, food and beverage and retail service and baggage claim.The study, currently in its 18th year, examines overall traveler satisfaction with mega (33 million or more passengers a year), large (10 to 32.9 million passengers a year) and medium (4.5 to 9.9 million passengers a year) North American airports across six factors, including terminal facilities; airport arrival/departure; baggage claim; security check; check-in/baggage check; and food, beverage and retail.The big winners among North American airports were Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (800) Tampa International Airport (832) and Indianapolis International Airport (843), which ranked highest among mega, large and medium airports, respectively. 2023 marks the second straight year that Tampa and Indy have won their respective categories.
forbes.com
21.09.2023 / 06:33
Ranked: The Best Airports In America In 2023, According To J.D. Power
Between record-high passenger volumes, a pilot shortage and weather-related disruptions, it’s been a rough year for air travel. So what does that mean for the airport experience?
thepointsguy.com
19.09.2023 / 22:33
Disney Treasure cruise bookings open Wednesday: Here’s everything you need to know
If you've been anxiously waiting for your chance to book a cruise on the highly anticipated Disney Treasure, your wait is almost over.
nationalgeographic.com
19.09.2023 / 11:07
It’s the golden age of spaceflight. Here’s where you can see a launch.
“You’re here for the launch?” Ted Ebbers asked me the night of April 19, 2023, when we met on the beach of South Padre Island, Texas. The answer was obvious: We both were killing time before the next day’s scheduled flight of the world’s most powerful rocket. A recently retired Canadian federal employee, Ebbers, 58, drove from his home in Toronto to SpaceX’s spaceport in Boca Chica to watch his first rocket launch. He made the 1,900-mile trip alone, sleeping overnight at rest stops inside his Tesla Model Y.