Pittsburgh to be first airport to allow non-fliers past security since 9/11

[brooklynite]

Source: USA Today

Care to do some shopping at the airport, even if you're not flying? Or walk a loved one to the gate before their flight?

You’ll be able to do that starting next week at Pittsburgh International. The airport is now poised to become the first U.S. airport allow non-fliers regular access into its gate-side terminal areas since security measures changed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

The airport has won approval from the Transportation Security Administration for non-ticketed customers to pass through security, though they will still have to go through the same screening as those catching flights. They’ll also be required to show ID so they can be vetted against no-fly lists.

“Participants should be prepared to receive the same level of security screening as travelers and should ensure they’re not carrying any prohibited items such as weapons before coming through the security checkpoint,” TSA spokesman Mike England says in a statement. “We look forward to working with the airport on this program.”



Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2017/08/29/pittsburgh-first-airport-allow-non-fliers-past-security-since-9-11/612037001/

[doc03]

1. Sounds like even longer lines at TSA check points nt

[brooklynite]

3. Easy enough to have a separate line for non-travelers...

[Proud liberal 80]

7. Good point

That, and now there will be more people taking up seats at the gates. It is already crowded enough.

I am torn, I like the idea, but I also don't like those two negatives.

[customerserviceguy]

13. The answer is

more pre-check approval for people who fly at least once every year or two. And less bullshit "scrutiny" for law-abiding citizens just travelling within their own country. It's high time to end the hysteria over 9/11, the TSA has not stopped a single terrorist incident.

[sandensea]

2. Well, it's high time.

Here's hoping that'll catch on in other airports.

[FakeNoose]

11. Yes I agree

We have a gorgeous award-winning airport in Pittsburgh and it's usually 3/4 empty. The vendors can't stay in business if there's no customer traffic in the airport.

People should be allowed to see off their relatives or have a last meal together before take-off. I believe it's true for most airports in most American cities.

[rickford66]

4. Pressure from all the stores to get more shoppers.

[BadgerKid]

6. Restaurants too.

As in: having a meal together before departure.

[LeftInTX]

5. They let me go back with my son.

He had foot surgery and was in a wheelchair.

He was packing to go back to NYC.
Stepped on a hard plastic hangar. A shard was caught in his foot. They had to perform surgery. He had to get back to NYC ASAP after surgery.

[Maeve]

19. Yeah, I've gone back with my Mom, too

Again, wheelchair...it's easier to let a family member back than to have an employee serve as an aide.

[JI7]

8. Does this mean those leaving and staying can stay together until boarding the plane ?

And those staying can watch the plane take off and wave goodbye ?

I remember doing that.

[treestar]

18. Yes and I remember being able to go in

to greet someone you were picking up at the airport.

[flibbitygiblets]

9. I'd go to the Portland airport (best in US since 2013*); Pittsburgh not so much.

PDX has massages, music, restaurants, shopping, a movie theater with short films, and a parking lot that green-lights empty spaces so they're easy to find. But they need to spruce up Terminal A, it's pretty weak by comparison to the others. I really hope they have separate lines for non-travelers though.

*Travel & Leisure mag

[customerserviceguy]

14. Agreed that Portland, OR airport is one of the best

but when my lady flies through there, she wears long skirts (hates pants, her prerogative) and always gets what we call, "the Portland patdown". She worked for both Pan Am and the Dutch airline KLM for over twenty years from the 1970's to the 1990's, she had plenty of opportunity to screw with an airplane if she had the inclination to do so during that time. Of course, at the age of 61, neither of us is a threat, but it makes the jackbooted thugs of the TSA feel really macho to treat us like we were Yemeni exchange students.

[crazycatlady]

16. that airport has good bars and restaurants

And I thank the bars (and beer) for the only in flight sleep I've ever gotten.

[dalton99a]

10. About time

[Freedomofspeech]

12. So happy they are doing this...

[bluevoter4life]

15. Not to nitpick

But I seem to recall a time long before 9/11 that airport security screeners only started allowing ticketed passengers through the checkpoints.

[brooklynite]

17. Not in New York...