Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
DLASFlyer wrote:SeaTac Airport has made permanent a trial program allowing anyone to visit the secure side of the airport for any reason. Guests just have to fill out an online form and present a QR code at the security checkpoint. Limited to 100 people per day for now.
https://www.seattletimes.com/life/trave ... th-family/
Indy wrote:This is a good start. I hope it gains traction. Unfortunately I cannot view the article. Is there a fee for this service? I do not think a security clearance fee would be unreasonable. You are using a service, so paying for the screening should be expected. I'd like to see the limits adjusted hourly based on travel demand. So when things are slower, you can allow more non traveling people through.
fcogafa wrote:DLASFlyer wrote:SeaTac Airport has made permanent a trial program allowing anyone to visit the secure side of the airport for any reason. Guests just have to fill out an online form and present a QR code at the security checkpoint. Limited to 100 people per day for now.
https://www.seattletimes.com/life/trave ... th-family/
The most interesting quote....
.....the passes are not limited to those picking up or dropping off passengers. Lyttle says anticipates the program will be popular with a different group entirely: aviation enthusiasts seeking prime plane-spotting territory.
questions wrote:Regardless of whether SEA is capable of handling this or not, why are they doing this? What is the need?
CantbeGrounded wrote:questions wrote:Regardless of whether SEA is capable of handling this or not, why are they doing this? What is the need?
No need. Desire to improve the experience, bring back the former joy, a little additional non-aero revenue in the form of concession and parking dollars, and some great press.
AWACSooner wrote:OMG! What is SEA thinking?!? Those 100 extra folks per day are going to COLLAPSE the entire TSA security lines and bring the airport to a complete and utter STANDSTILL! No one will ever make their departing flights again because of this!
32andBelow wrote:AWACSooner wrote:OMG! What is SEA thinking?!? Those 100 extra folks per day are going to COLLAPSE the entire TSA security lines and bring the airport to a complete and utter STANDSTILL! No one will ever make their departing flights again because of this!
You’d assume it’s a trial to one day remove the limit.
SRQKEF wrote:32andBelow wrote:AWACSooner wrote:OMG! What is SEA thinking?!? Those 100 extra folks per day are going to COLLAPSE the entire TSA security lines and bring the airport to a complete and utter STANDSTILL! No one will ever make their departing flights again because of this!
You’d assume it’s a trial to one day remove the limit.
And then the airport will be awash with non-flyers?
Varsity1 wrote:SRQKEF wrote:32andBelow wrote:You’d assume it’s a trial to one day remove the limit.
And then the airport will be awash with non-flyers?
Have you been to SEA? Most of the time there is nowhere to sit. The airport has very few chairs because it's that overcrowded.
SRQKEF wrote:However, I just can't see non-flyers wanting to go airside, let alone willing to go through the hassle of applying for it first, ever approaching 0,1% of the total number of people going through. As such, it's minuscule enough that it has no impact on daily operations.
Kind regards!
Sveinn
SEA wrote:So many dramatic replies in this thread! If 100 extra people airside will break the airport, I hope a 77W never has to divert to SEA. Imagine the absolute chaos!
jfklganyc wrote:SEA TAC was an awfully crowded airport
TSA is a miserable experience just about everywhere
For those reasons alone, this is a STUPID, UNNECESSARY program in America Year 2019.
Let’s get real
klakzky123 wrote:SEA wrote:So many dramatic replies in this thread! If 100 extra people airside will break the airport, I hope a 77W never has to divert to SEA. Imagine the absolute chaos!
For whatever reason, people on this thread are convinced that all 100 people will enter the airport at the exact same time and distribute themselves equally among TSA lines to inflict maximum pain at the security lines.
And once they clear security they'll all distribute themselves evenly to create long lines at the restaurants in the central area.
And when they've purchased their food, they'll all converge on the Delta lounges and take up all of the seating.
Varsity1 wrote:SRQKEF wrote:32andBelow wrote:You’d assume it’s a trial to one day remove the limit.
And then the airport will be awash with non-flyers?
Have you been to SEA? Most of the time there is nowhere to sit. The airport has very few chairs because it's that overcrowded.
Indy wrote:this has been the case at all Australian domestic airports, forever IIRC.This is a good start. I hope it gains traction. Unfortunately I cannot view the article. Is there a fee for this service? I do not think a security clearance fee would be unreasonable. You are using a service, so paying for the screening should be expected. I'd like to see the limits adjusted hourly based on travel demand. So when things are slower, you can allow more non traveling people through.
lessredtape wrote:Indy wrote:this has been the case at all Australian domestic airports, forever IIRC.This is a good start. I hope it gains traction. Unfortunately I cannot view the article. Is there a fee for this service? I do not think a security clearance fee would be unreasonable. You are using a service, so paying for the screening should be expected. I'd like to see the limits adjusted hourly based on travel demand. So when things are slower, you can allow more non traveling people through.
No silly forms to fill out, no daily limit, but maybe we have better security than in USA ? The scanners in Australia, probably get paid 10 times as much as well + lots & lots of benefits.
RobertPhoenix wrote:I think one very good reason to allow non-passengers would be for people meeting passengers who need some help. That would include those who have difficulty getting their luggage, and those visitors from foreign countries that don't speak or read English.
Varsity1 wrote:my error then. Thought TSA employees were on min wage. Maybe then in Australia they only get twice as much, but more benefits. Regardless, am sure security in Australia in far superior to anything in USA.lessredtape wrote:Indy wrote:this has been the case at all Australian domestic airports, forever IIRC.This is a good start. I hope it gains traction. Unfortunately I cannot view the article. Is there a fee for this service? I do not think a security clearance fee would be unreasonable. You are using a service, so paying for the screening should be expected. I'd like to see the limits adjusted hourly based on travel demand. So when things are slower, you can allow more non traveling people through.
No silly forms to fill out, no daily limit, but maybe we have better security than in USA ? The scanners in Australia, probably get paid 10 times as much as well + lots & lots of benefits.
Considering EL AL says Aussie security isn't good enough to launch service there, probably not.
10 times as much? TSA are federal employees and make 50K+ a year. I doubt security in Australia pays half a million.
Varsity1 wrote:10 times as much? TSA are federal employees and make 50K+ a year. I doubt security in Australia pays half a million.
bluejuice wrote:If this does become the norm, I hope caps do not come off. I remember pre 9/11 when anyone could go airside at JFK and LGA. There were all sorts of people soliciting money, asking people to sign petitions, selling all sorts of services, grifters preying on naive travelers, petty crooks, and homeless looking for a place to stay.
luckyone wrote:RobertPhoenix wrote:I think one very good reason to allow non-passengers would be for people meeting passengers who need some help. That would include those who have difficulty getting their luggage, and those visitors from foreign countries that don't speak or read English.
Unless I'm not quite following you, baggage claim is post-security where anyone can go and assist if need be. These permits wouldn't allow people into the international pre-customs baggage claim to assist anyone, would they?
axiom wrote:TPA has had a similar program for some time. The sky hasn’t fallen there.
twicearound wrote:Looking at it from a security standpoint I think this is a bad idea. Never mind the extra crowds. What's to stop Joe or Jane off the street from coming through and trying to sneak on a flight without a ticket? At least now, one has to already have purchased a ticket to access the sterile areas so the risk it fairly low, and while it rarely does happen, I could see it happening more frequently with this program.
AWACSooner wrote:Varsity1 wrote:10 times as much? TSA are federal employees and make 50K+ a year. I doubt security in Australia pays half a million.
$50K? Not bad for a bunch of "high school dropouts."
twicearound wrote:Looking at it from a security standpoint I think this is a bad idea. Never mind the extra crowds. What's to stop Joe or Jane off the street from coming through and trying to sneak on a flight without a ticket? At least now, one has to already have purchased a ticket to access the sterile areas so the risk it fairly low, and while it rarely does happen, I could see it happening more frequently with this program.
PA110 wrote:Oh great! Because security lines aren't backed up enough as it is. I was just there and the main security screening post was a total shit-show. Even the TSA precheck on the south side by the entrance to the A concourse was backed up. Until we have smoother security screening, keep non-flyers away from the gate.
SEA wrote:twicearound wrote:Looking at it from a security standpoint I think this is a bad idea. Never mind the extra crowds. What's to stop Joe or Jane off the street from coming through and trying to sneak on a flight without a ticket? At least now, one has to already have purchased a ticket to access the sterile areas so the risk it fairly low, and while it rarely does happen, I could see it happening more frequently with this program.
Is this a joke?
questions wrote:Regardless of whether SEA is capable of handling this or not, why are they doing this? What is the need?