Well, airport security sure has changed over the years. Obviously, 9/11 in 2001 was a big milestone for that. That was 20 years ago. But even before that, there were a lot of differences in airport security. One of them was that non-passengers could go right up to the gate. So, if you were accompanying your family or picking somebody up from the airport, you could go through security and go up to the gate and either greet somebody coming off a plane or bring somebody to the plane that may be visiting you, a relative, or whatnot.
Post-9/11 Security Changes
After 9/11, all that changed. The only people allowed through security were ticketed passengers. And there are several reasons why that’s not a good idea if you want to go up to the plane. Before we delve into those reasons and ways you might still be able to go to the gate if you’re not flying, let’s take a look at a photo, probably from the 1970s, depicting a typical airport security check.
Security Gaps in the Past
In this photo, the security personnel aren’t uniformed; they were usually employees of the airlines. The metal detector is wide open on the sides, leaving it susceptible to people walking around it if the guard is distracted. This lax security was a far cry from what exists now, after 9/11. This security gate exemplifies the gaps and holes in security at the time, where one could simply bypass the metal detector if nobody was paying attention.
Workarounds for Non-Ticketed Passengers
So, what about going up to the gate if you are not a ticketed passenger? There are a few workarounds, although we don’t advocate anything illegal or compromising security. Private investigators sometimes use these methods to observe passengers embarking or boarding a plane. One way is to obtain a pass as an accompanying colleague, granted by the airline for individuals needing assistance or accompanying someone who requires aid due to age, disability, or more luggage.
Legal Workarounds and Observations
Another method involves purchasing a fully refundable first-class ticket for the same day as the desired visit to the airport. By going through security with this ticket, one can later cancel the flight and still have access to the secure area. However, it’s crucial to verify the legality of these actions and ensure compliance with the law. Ultimately, these workarounds, such as obtaining a colleague pass or using a fully refundable ticket, can provide access to the gate for someone you wish to accompany or observe.
