If you’re old enough to remember airports before 9/11, you’ll recall we didn’t always used to go through TSA checkpoints. If we had a flight to catch, we’d just check in, go through a metal detector (we even got to keep our shoes on!), and then go to the gate. Loved ones could go to the gate to send you off, or could meet you there when you arrived.
At any airport in the U.S., you can still go all the way to the gate, without a boarding pass, if you’re accompanying a minor or someone with a disability who needs special assistance before they get onto a plane. It’s a way to ensure that children or people with mobility problems or other disabilities safely arrive at the departure gate.
However, before COVID, a handful of airports were piloting programs that allowed non-passengers to pass the TSA checkpoint. Of course, they weren’t doing this out of the goodness of their hearts or so you could get a better view of takeoffs and landings. It was intended so people could take advantage of the shopping and dining opportunities inside the secure area.
Anyway, some of the programs happened and fizzled out. For the ones that turned it into a permanent thing, a couple have discontinued them (I’m looking at you, Tampa and Pittsburgh), at least “temporarily.” However there are five airports that still offer this service:
- Bishop International Airport (FNT): FNT Visitor Pass
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW): DTW Destination Pass
- John Wayne Airport (SNA): OC AirPASS
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): MSY Guest Pass
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): Visitor Pass
But now a 6th airport has decided it’s OK to have non-ticketed visitors come to the “secure” side, so they can see people off, meet them at the gate, and maybe even do some air side shopping and dining.
Ontario International Airport (ONT) in California is allowing non-ticketed guests to pass through security to accompany or meet loved ones, as well as enjoy terminal amenities, with a new program called ONT+.
ONT+ allows non-travelers to clear security checkpoints alongside ticketed passengers. After applying online for a visitor pass, approved guests will be able to arrive at the airport on their scheduled day, at their leisure, until 9pm. They can enter the airport at T2 or T4.
“We all remember the excitement of being able to meet arriving family and friends as they get off the plane. ONT+ is a way to bring back some of that experience from decades ago, in a safe and secure manner,” said ONT Public Safety Administrator Dean Brown, who worked closely with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in establishing the program.
There’s no charge for the pass and guests don’t have to be accompanied by a ticketed passenger to take advantage of ONT+. Prospective visitors have to submit some basic identifying information, as well as a copy of their ID to be considered for a pass. They can even apply for a same day visit, provided time slots are available.
Once approved, visitors will receive an email with their approval status after midnight on the day of their visit, or within 15 minutes if requesting same-day approval.
If approved for entry, they’ll receive their ONT+ Visitor Pass attached to their approval notification e-mail. When entering the TSA Checkpoint, they have to show their ONT+ Visitor Pass attachment and their TSA-approved photo ID to the TSA officer, and they’re in like Flynn.
This page of ONT’s website has more information about the program.
Feature Photo: Rawpixel
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