I’m one of those people who doesn’t mind being dropped off and picked up at the airport. Often I will actually park and walk the person to security or meet them as they exit. I miss going through security with that person, escorting them to the gate, and waving at the airplane as it backed off. Or just welcome them with a smile at the gate when you get off the plane. Most of the decline today is about speed and efficiency. The driver barely stops, people rush out of the car, bags are thrown to the curb, there are a few quick goodbyes and then everyone skates away and gets yelled at by the authorities.
In 2018, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) launched a new program called the SEA Visitor Pass Program. This free program lets you travel back in time to a time when non-flying visitors were allowed to get through security. I’ve been wanting to try this program myself but never had the opportunity until recently. I had a friend flying in from Montana so I decided to give it a try. I didn’t let them know my game plan, I wanted to surprise them right out of the gate.
I would like to say that most things went smoothly and the experience was worth it. But I’m not sure if this will become a regular occurrence for me.
Participating requires a bit of planning and approval before heading to the airport, but it’s easy enough. Here are the basics you need to know:
1) Online application
- Please fill out the application form. There are very basic questions like name, email, date of birth, date of visit, etc. It took less than a minute to write.
- Please note that only 300 people are allowed entry per day. This is generally not a problem except during summer and public holidays, but it is always best to register sooner rather than later.
- Please read all rules and restrictions as they are subject to change.
2) Wait for approval from TSA
- If approved, you will receive an email with a QR code after midnight on the day of your visit.
- If you are denied for any reason, we recommend that you follow up with TSA to avoid future problems.
3) Pass the security checkpoint
- Only checkpoint 4 can be passed, which may be insufficient if it is backed up and the others are not.
- Just like airplane passengers, you will need a valid REAL ID form.
- Pre-checking or CLEAR is of no use here. You have to go through the “normal” process.
I will say that this experience made me miss pre-checking (yes, yes, I know I am spoiled). When I got there, checkpoint 4 was backed up and passengers were being moved to one of the other locations where the lines were shorter. When I explained that I had a SEA Visitor Pass, they didn’t seem to understand at first, but eventually they let me in. It took about 45 minutes to get through, and when I finally got to the TSA agent, I showed the QR code and explained that it was for a SEA Visitor Pass, and she looked at me blankly… My confidence was destroyed. But it turned out that the person was new and that he had to call his supervisor and get approval with just a few keystrokes…
I decided to wear cowboy boots, which made getting through security more difficult. It looked great, but having to take it off for the scan was painful. Even without luggage. Speaking of luggage… One of the really strange things about my whole experience was the lack of luggage. Before I could remember my mission, my brain would go through a slightly panicked moment of “Oh my, where’s my bag? I must have lost it.”
After my friend landed, I told him a little white lie that I would pick him up outside baggage claim. Instead, I stood by the gate as passengers began to disembark the plane. I started wondering if my friend would notice me. I hoped I wouldn’t run away screaming my name like a crazy person. Fortunately, it ended up going pretty well.
My friend looked at me pretty quickly, but looked away without any understanding that it was me. “No, David won’t be at my door.” That was the expression on their faces. Then they looked back and started smiling, clearly happy that I had somehow managed to make my way to the gate. My biggest regret about all of this is not being able to say, “I got to the gate because I’m the airport batman!” Oh, there’s always a next time!
Not only will the SEA Visitor Pass wow the people on your doorstep, it can also be useful for those dropping off or taking children, elderly family members or anyone who needs some extra help. You can also use it to enjoy shops and restaurants on the airside. Of course, AvGeeks might want to just hang out for a few hours and see some pretty airplanes.
bonus: Our friend Harriet Baskas recently posted an article on The Points Guy detailing services at other airports worth checking out.
I wanted to know more about the program, so I reached out to SEA’s Media Relations Manager, Perry Cooper. I asked if there was any discussion about expanding the program to additional checkpoints in the future or allowing people to use Pre-Check or CLEAR. Unfortunately, he said neither is in the works. I asked how many people were using the program and was told that in 2024 SEA had received almost 50,000 requests and about 14,800 people had actually done it. And by August of this year, there were about 48,000 requests and 18,125 were used. I was surprised that it was so popular!
Between trying to find parking and running into security issues (cowboy boots hanging over me), I was a little panicked when I got to the gate. I’d say surprising my friend was worth it. I think this is a great program, but I would only use it for special occasions!
Have you used a similar program before? What happened?
Note: Before using this or any similar program, please review its website for any changes. You don’t want TSA to slap your hand!
Preview of JFK’s new Terminal 6
Concourse C expansion at SEA to include airside observation deck
