I'm one of those people who doesn't mind airport transfers. Often, I will actually park the car and walk the person to safety or meet them as they come out. I miss those days when you could go through security with that person, walk them to the gate, and wave to them on the flight back. Or greet them with a smile at the gate when they get off the plane. Today, most of the decline is related to speed and efficiency. Drivers barely stop, people rush out, luggage is thrown to the curb, there are a few brief goodbyes, and then everyone scatters before being yelled at by the authorities.
Back in 2018, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) launched an initiative called “ SEA Visitor Pass Program. This free program essentially takes you back to a time when non-flying visitors could get through security. I've always wanted to try this program myself but never found the opportunity until recently. I had a friend fly in from Montana and I decided to give it a try. I didn't let them know my game plan, I wanted to surprise them at the door.
What I'm trying to say is that, for the most part, things went smoothly and were worth the experience. However, I’m not sure this will become the norm for me.
To participate, you'll need to do some planning and get authorization before heading to the airport, but it's easy. Here are the basics you need to know:
1) Apply online
- Fill out the application form. It has very basic questions like name, email, date of birth, date of visit, etc. It took me less than a minute to fill it out.
- Please note that the number of visitors is limited to 300 people per day. This is usually not a problem except during summer vacations and vacations, but it is best to register early.
- Please be sure to read all rules and restrictions as they may change.
2) Wait for TSA approval
- If approved, you will receive an email with a QR code after midnight on the day of your visit.
- If you are denied for some reason, you may want to follow up with TSA to make sure you don't run into problems in the future.
3) Pass the security check
- You can only pass checkpoint 4, which can be bad if that checkpoint is backed up and the other checkpoints are not.
- You will need a valid form true identityjust like you were a flight passenger.
- Your pre-check or clearing does nothing for you…you have to go through the “normal” process.
I would say that this experience made me miss out on pre-checking (yes, yes, I know I'm spoiled). When I went, checkpoint 4 was already congested and passengers were sent to one of the other locations with shorter lines. When I explained that I had an SEA visitor pass, they didn't seem to understand at first, but eventually they let me in. It took about 45 minutes to get through customs, and when I finally got to the TSA agent, she looked at me blankly when I showed my QR code and explained that it was a SEA visitor pass…confidence was waning. However, it turned out she was new and called a supervisor and with just a few keystrokes I was authorized…yay ha!
I ended up making it more difficult for myself to get through security because I decided to wear cowboy boots. They look great, but having to take them off to be scanned is a pain…even without luggage. Speaking of luggage…one of the really weird things about my whole experience was the lack of luggage. Before remembering my mission, my brain would have these little moments of panic: “Oh my god, where is my bag? I must have lost it.”
After my friends landed, I told a white lie and said I would pick them up outside baggage claim. Instead, I stood to the side of the gate as passengers began to deplane. I started to wonder if my friends would even notice me. I wish I didn't have to chase them around like a madman shouting their names. Fortunately, it worked out well in the end.
Soon, my friend looked at me, but then looked away, not really realizing it was me. “No, David won't show up at my door,” was the look on their faces. Then they looked back and started smiling, obviously happy that I had managed to get to the gate. My biggest regret about this whole thing is not saying “I got to the gate because I'm Airport Batman!” Oh well, there's always next time!
The SEA Visitor Pass is not just for those who surprise people at the door, but also for those picking up and dropping off children, older family members or anyone who may need a little extra help. Additionally, people can use it to visit shops or restaurants airside. Of course, the average geek might just want to hang out for a few hours and look at beautiful airplanes.
bonus: Our friend Harriet Bascas recently A story published in The Points Guy detailing services at other airports It's worth a try.
Curious to learn more about the program, I contacted SEA Media Relations Manager Perry Cooper. I asked if there was any discussion of expanding the program to more checkpoints or allowing people to use Pre-Check or CLEAR in the future. Unfortunately, he said neither is in the works. I asked how many people were using the program and was told that by 2024, SEA had received nearly 50,000 requests and about 14,800 had actually followed through. As of August this year, some 48,000 requests had been received and 18,125 had been used. I was pleasantly surprised by the popularity!
Between trying to find parking and running into some snags with security (cowboy boots were hijacked on me), I was a little panicked when I arrived at the gate. I would say it was totally worth it to surprise my friends, I think it's a great program, but I'll probably only use it on special occasions!
Have you used a similar program before? How's it going?
NOTE: Before using this program or any other similar program, check its website to see if any changes have been made. You don’t want to get slapped by TSA!
