If you’re old enough to remember the days before 9/11, you’ll know that the TSA security checkpoint wasn’t a “thing.” Back then, everyone went through a metal detector and that was good enough. And it wasn’t just passengers! Loved ones could accompany you to your gate, or meet you there when you landed.
But then 9/11 happened and security at airports eventually turned into what it is today. Unless you were accompanying someone who needed special assistance before they get onto the plane, the only people who could get past TSA security were passengers (well, and airport/airline workers too, of course).
However in the past few years, several airports – 17 of them, to be exact, have developed programs that allow select individuals to go past the security checkpoint, even if they weren’t flying that day. Here’s the list of them.
You would think that Texas, which always likes to boast about being the biggest and best, would have its own form of visitor pass. But no, they don’t. Well, didn’t. Past tense, because San Antonio International Airport (SAT) just started its version of the coveted pass to allow non-passengers to the airside of the airport.
Called the SAT Pass program, it allows up to 50 non-ticketed visitors to either accompany or meet passengers at the secure side of the airport, past the security checkpoint.
Similar to the other 17 visitor pass programs out there, guests can apply for an SAT PASS by going online to request a pass. If the request is approved, the pass will be sent to the guest digitally as a QR code. The code will allow access through the TSA security checkpoint.
Here are the steps for how it works:
Step 1: Apply Online
You can apply the day of your visit or up to seven days in advance. At this time, SAT Pass is limited. If you cannot select a date on the online form, that means the visitor slots are full for that day.
Check that your information is accurate and provide your full legal name (exactly as it appears on your passport or driver’s license), date of birth, and your sex. You’ll receive a confirmation email verifying that your request has been received.
Step 2: Get TSA’s Approval
Your application will be reviewed and approved or denied by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
- If you’re applying in advance: You’ll receive an email with your approval status after midnight on the day of your visit.
- If you’re applying for same day entrance: You’ll receive an email with your approval status within 15 minutes.
Step 3: Show off your SAT Pass
If approved for entry, you’ll receive your SAT Pass attached to your approval notification e-mail. When entering the TSA checkpoint, open the SAT Pass attachment and present it to the TSA along with your TSA-approved photo ID. Make sure to advise the TSA Officer that you have an SAT Pass when presenting your photo ID. Those without the approval email and SAT Pass will be denied entry.
SAT Pass participants must enter using the TSA Checkpoint general screening line. SAT Pass access is only valid on the approved date from the approved start time through 9:00 pm.
The program began on February 11th.
“This pass is designed for anyone who wants to spend additional time with a traveler,” said Tonya Hope, Public Relations Manager at San Antonio International Airport. “We listened to our travelers and community members. We feel Valentine’s week is the perfect time to launch this free new service. We shared information about the new program with our travelers and included the message on some sweet treats for Valentine’s Day.”
Not flying into/out of SAT? Here are the other 17 airports across the U.S. that have a form of a visitors’ pass.
Feature Image: Andrew Pilloud / flickr / CC BY 2.0
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
