Before 9/11, families could walk passengers to airport gates; 25 years later a TSA pilot is bringing that back at 13 US airports for PreCheck members

Before 9/11, families could walk passengers to airport gates; 25 years later a TSA pilot is bringing that back at 13 US airports for PreCheck membersPeople flying through Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona can now have family members or friends meet them at the gate, even if those visitors are not travelling themselves. According to Fox 10, the airport is among 13 in the US taking part in a pilot programme that allows eligible people to pass through airport security without having a flight ticket.The programme, called Gateside by TSA PreCheck, brings back an experience many American travellers remember from before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. At that time, people without tickets could travel through the airport and walk with passengers to the gate.That changed after 9/11, when airport security rules became much stricter. Access beyond security checkpoints was generally limited to people with a plane ticket. Now, the pilot programme is testing whether some non-ticketed visitors can once again enter the gate area under existing security rules.Mesa Gateway Airport has been part of the programme for about a week, according to Ryan Smith, the airport's director of communications. "We're only a week into the program," Smith said. "It's been a huge success." The programme gives approved visitors a single-day gate pass, but they must meet certain requirements before they can enter the secure area.How the gate pass worksThe programme is available to people who have TSA PreCheck. Those who want to use it must inform the airport that they want a pass one to three days before the day of the flight.If the request is approved, the visitor receives the gate pass by email. They can then take the pass and their identification to the airport and go through the security checkpoint.Security rules remain in placePeople entering the gate area through the programme are subject to the same security restrictions as ticketed passengers.That security requirement has also been an important part of the discussion around the programme. While many travellers interviewed by FOX 10 said they would welcome the chance to enter the gate area without a ticket, some people said they were concerned about any change to airport security procedures.One traveller said they preferred stronger security measures, even if that meant spending more time going through TSA screening."Oh yeah," the traveller said. "I'm actually scared when they don't find something like hairspray or water in my bottle. I think the more security the better. I mean I don't care how long it takes me to get through TSA."Why travellers want the optionFor many passengers, the biggest benefit is being able to stay with relatives or friends for longer before a flight or meet them immediately after they arrive.People interviewed at Mesa Gateway Airport said the option could be especially useful for families and passengers who need help at the airport.One traveller said the return of gate access would be welcome. "I do miss that a lot," the person said. "That was definitely something to get off the airplane and see somebody right there. I kinda miss doing that."Another person pointed to the needs of older passengers, saying a family member could enter the secure area and help with bags or other needs.The programme could also help families in situations where a child is travelling between divorced parents. One traveller explained that allowing a parent to walk a child all the way to the gate could prevent the child from having to continue alone after passing through security.Another example involved a traveller with autism. "We had a traveler that has a son that's on the spectrum, and they just wanted to go through the process and kind of get used to going through the airport prior to having that ticket booked," the traveller said.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.