Some California airports are welcoming non-airline passengers through the security gate in an effort to return to a pre-9/11 era when departing or arriving travelers could spend more time with loved ones — and spend money in airports.
The latest airport to open its doors to the public is Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, which launched its OAK Guest Pass Program on Monday.
The first-come, first-served program allows those without boarding passes to go through security checkpoints and, if they pass all security screenings, enjoy airport amenities. .
“We want OAK to become a meaningful experience for all of our visitors, not just a curbside drive-by experience,” Kristi McKenney, Port of Oakland executive director, said in a statement. “The OAK Guest Pass allows families to spend more precious time with their loved ones as they see them off on their next adventure or welcome them home from one.”
Guest passes must be reviewed and approved by the Transportation Security Administration to receive a visitor security clearance.
These programs aren’t entirely new. Travel experts say they’ve been quietly implemented in select airports across the United States for the last several years.
Oakland’s new guest pass coincides with the addition of several Oakland and East Bay themed retail and restaurant concessions in the airport.
How the OAK Guest Pass works
The guest pass can be applied for online the day of or up to seven days in advance of visiting OAK. The application allows the visitor to choose the day and time they wish to enter the airport.
Visitors filling out the online application must provide their date of birth, gender and full legal name exactly as it appears on their TSA-approved photo ID A complete list of identification accepted by TSA can be found online.
TSA reviews the application and has the ultimate authority to approve or reject it.
“Individuals who are granted a gate pass by the airport are thoroughly vetted and go through the same TSA security screening as ticketed passengers before being allowed to proceed through our security checkpoint,” TSA said in an emailed statement to The Times.
If the application is requesting same-day entrance, the requesting visitor will receive an email with their approval status within approximately 15 minutes.
Visitors who submit their application in advance will receive their approval status on the day of their visit, after midnight.
When TSA approves an application, the visitor will get an approval email that includes an attachment of their electronic OAK Guest Pass.
Upon entering the OAK security checkpoints, visitors must show their digital OAK Guest Pass along with their TSA-approved photo ID — printed passes are not accepted.
“If a gate pass holder does not present an acceptable form of ID, they will not be permitted to enter the secure area of the airport,” TSA said in a statement. “The same security standards and protocols apply to gate pass holders to ensure the safety of all passengers, airport employees and the traveling public.”
Which California airports offer guest passes
Several California airports currently allow the public to apply for guest passes.
Each airport has different rules and restrictions. Check the airport’s website for details.
- John Wayne Airport offers an OC AirPASS.
- Ontario International Airport offers an ONT+ Visitor Pass.
- Palm Springs International Airport offers its Stay & Play visitor pass.
- San Diego International Airport offers its SAN Pass Program.
Why airports stopped allowing “meeters and greeters”
Before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, anyone could go to a terminal gate without a ticket or identification, said Jeffrey Price, owner of Leading Edge Strategies, an airport management training company.
“You could just take your family right to the gate or pick them up right at the gate,” he said.
It wasn’t troublesome to go through airport security then; the lines were short and quick because screening “wasn’t that thorough,” Price said.
At the time, security screening technology wasn’t where it needed to be to detect known threats, he said.
The 9/11 attacks launched the creation of TSA, a federalized security force, replacing different contracted security companies for each airport. TSA’s procedures became much stricter, including prohibiting non-passengers from going beyond security checkpoints. This allowed TSA to focus on screening just airline passengers, not visitors.
Since the creation of TSA, the agency has implemented X-ray machines for passengers and their luggage, biometric technology, pre-check in programs and the nationwide implementation of the Real ID.
“As we move towards more advanced technology, I think you see that the risk begins to slightly lower and lower as you go throughout the years,” said Ryan Propis, vice president of security and facilitation for the U.S. Travel Assn.
“The risk has reduced enough to where I think TSA has felt that they can sort of lean in here and allow folks to access certain parts of the airport,” Propis said.
Why airports want visitors
Travel and security experts say this is a positive move for both consumers and the airport industry.
The more that is invested on security technology and related programs, the more of an enjoyable experience visitors have spending time at an airport, Propis said. Airports can then become hubs for travel and connection as they once were.
Before the 9/11 terrorist attacks, airports had adopted a shopping mall concept that allowed visitors to dine and shop at higher-end retailers in the concourse areas.
With the implementation of the guest pass, airports hope to re-create that type of atmosphere and opportunity for commerce, said John E. DiScala, creator of travel tips and deals website Johnny Jet.
To date, some international airports have successfully made their facility a destination, including the Singapore Changi Airport, where people visit to shop or dine, he said.
How guest passes can affect overall travel
The only challenge the guest pass presents is the potential for longer security lines, DiScala said.
The more people to screen, the longer the wait time.
That can be alleviated if TSA hires more staffers and opens up more security checkpoint lanes, some of which are rarely opened, depending on the airport, he said.
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