The old tradition of greeting arriving air travellers as soon as they step off the airbridge is being revived at SeaTac International Airport.
Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, access to airport terminals beyond security checkpoints has largely been limited to ticketed passengers.
However, USA Today reports that the Seattle airport is now the second US airport to allow friends, family members, and business colleagues to meet travellers at the gate.
The SEA Visitor Pass system is similar to the MyPITpass program pioneered at Pittsburgh International Airport in 2017.
The airport will allow a maximum of 50 people per day to sign up for the passes, which must be obtained the day before the arriving flight, no later than 1300.
The pass will allow access to airport terminals between the hours of 0800 and 2100 on the day of the flight. Pass applications will be reviewed by Transportation Security Administration officials, and pass holders will still need to clear security checkpoints alongside air travellers.
The airport will test the SEA Visitor Pass through mid-December before deciding if it should become permanent.
