If you’re old enough to remember airports before 9/11, you’ll recall that TSA checkpoints weren’t always part of the experience. You’d check in, walk through a simple metal detector (shoes on, imagine that), and head straight to your gate. Friends and family could walk right up to the jet bridge to see you off or greet you when you landed.
Today, U.S. airports still allow people without boarding passes to reach the gate only if they’re accompanying an unaccompanied minor or a traveler with a disability who needs extra assistance. It’s meant to ensure kids and passengers with mobility or medical issues make it safely to their departure gate.
But before COVID, a few airports tested something much more unusual: allowing regular non-travelers through TSA. And no, it wasn’t an act of nostalgia or an invitation to plane-spot. It was designed to boost revenue by letting locals access the shops and restaurants inside the secure zone.
Of course, once COVID started, all those programs were put on hold. However, once things were better, these so-called Visitors Passes began popping up across the country again. In fact, as of October 2025, there were 22 such programs across the country:
- Akron-Canton Airport (CAK): CAK Guest Pass
- Bishop International Airport (FNT): FNT Visitor Pass
- Capital Region International Airport (LAN): LAN Visitor Pass
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE): The Hopkins Hangout
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW): DTW Destination Pass
- Eastern Iowa Airport (CID): CID Visitor Pass
- John Wayne Airport (SNA): OC AirPASS
- Kansas City International Airport (MCI): MCI Guest Pass
- Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT): Visitor’s Pass
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY): MSY Guest Pass
- Missoula Montana Airport (MSO): MSO Pass
- Nashville International Airport (BNA): BNA Passport
- Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA): XNA Guest Pass
- Ontario International Airport (ONT): ONT+ Visitor Pass
- Palm Springs International Airport (PSP): PSP Stay & Play Pass
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): PHL Wingmate Guest Pass
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT): SAT Pass
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): Visitor Pass
- Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV): SHVip Visitor Pass
- Tampa International Airport (TPA): Tampa All Access Program
- Tri-Cities Airport (PSC): PSC Pass
- Tulsa International Airport (TUL): TUL Visitor Pass
And now #23
A 23rd airport, Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE), recently began their Experience CAE Guest Pass Program not long ago, and the residents in and around the town in South Carolina that is serves are probably thrilled.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE): Experience CAE Guest Pass Program
From CAE:
The Experience CAE Guest Pass Program allows the non-traveling public to visit CAE and enjoy the amenities available past security and meet or send off their family and friends.
Important information to know:
- Experience CAE is available 7 days a week between the hours of 4:00 am and 7:00 pm.
- There is a limit of 25 guests each day.
- All participants, regardless of age, need to apply for a guest pass and anyone under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Digital and printed Experience CAE guest passes are accepted.
How to apply:
Apply Online
- You can apply for an Experience CAE Guest Pass at least 48 hours prior to the day you intend to visit or no more than seven days in advance.
- If you cannot select a date or time on the online form, that means there is no availability for that date and time.
- When applying, there are two options for ID Verification – REAL ID or Passport – you will scan your TSA-approved ID using a camera to provide that information. YOU WILL NEED TO SCAN BOTH SIDES OF THE ID FOR THE APPLICATION TO BE SUCCESSFUL. Accurate registration details (name, birthdate, gender) must match the ID presented during check-in. Discrepancies will result in TSA denial.
- Once submitted, you will receive an email confirmation verifying that your request has been received.
Approval or Denial
- Your request will be reviewed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
- Successful applicants will receive an email notification just after midnight on the day of their visit.
- If denied, you will receive an email with your denial. All denials are final.
Experience CAE
- If approved, you will receive your Experience CAE Guest Pass attached to your approval notification e-mail.
- Upon your arrival, park in either the Garage or Surface parking. (You will be responsible for all costs associated with parking.)
- To check-in and activate your pass, visit the Airport Information Desk and scan the available QR code and complete the required fields. Once completed, you are ready to proceed to the STANDARD screening lane at the TSA Checkpoint.
More info
For more information about the program, please visit this page on CAE’s website. They also offer an FAQ. And finally, this page has the application for the program.
With this addition, we now have 23 airports that allow non-flyers onto the airside of their respective properties. Whether it’s to drop off or meet a loved one, to go planespotting, or take part in shopping and dining, they’re all a welcome addition to the aviation community.
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
