I'll be using this as an AvGeek at LAX but too bad parking is so expensive...
(What'd be nice... is if... they finally opened... that new people mover... just sayin'...)
I can see this being handy at SEA. With an international arrival, there are very few options for food outside security. If you have a bit of a wait for a shuttle, it would be nice to go to a restaurant or lounge instead of sitting on hard plastic seats in a crowd.
This is ok, but too limited. A simpler way is to buy a fully refundable ticket on a flight for a few hours before the time you need to go in then as soon as you pass security cancel your ticket. The cost doesn't matter but make absolutely it is 100% refundable. I know lots of people who do this to meet up with incoming family and business associates.
Do that in Singapore and you risk jail. They post written warnings against it at the airport.
iirc it’s a bigger issue in Singapore because there’s passport control involved (since all flights are international), and there’s some sort of immigration law that one would be breaking to go through passport control without the intent to leave the country. Presumably it’s less of an issue for purely domestic flights, although I can’t imagine airlines being a big fan of people doing this frequently.
If you have Global Entry you can use this, correct, since Pre-Check is included?
My first thought was remembering sending my daughter on her first solo flight at 15, and wishing we had this option back then. When I was growing up this was how it always worked at US airports - you dropped people off and picked them up at the gate. Super nice for elderly family members, kids, or others who may need assistance.
I'm with everyone else who noted the last thing we need is more people in TSA lines.
Like a few here, I flew a decent amount on business late last century. I remember the dark side of the "let anybody into the terminal" policy. I'd be arriving at ORD or STL to deplane and get to the departure gate for my connection. What did we arrive to? It seemed, with great frequency, it was a gauntlet on non-pax greeting arriving pax. But, of course, grandpa would be in front of me, and the cadre of 8 waiting for him thought it was OK to rush out and block the narrow pathway that was now the exit for what seemed like minutes. No thanks for that to return (I, of course, have no problem with people being let in to greet arriving pax in need of help.)
In Australia, there is no ID check or a requirement to have a ticket to pass through TSA-like screening. So, the whole family can come meet grandma if they're willing to clear security. There is never really the hassle I described above. So, maybe it won't be bad. Plus, they've got to reserve and have precheck. And, since my airport in on the list, I'll get to see. But, I'm really hoping low use.
For some time now, DFW permits arriving international PAX with a connecting flight to clear customs airside and never leave the secured area. Since this an AA hub it may be specific to this airline. Be that as it may, the experience is downright wonderful. From the time one steps off the flight ( parked at D23 ) until entering the Flagship Lounge, the walking time is roughly 5-7 minutes, "door to door".
Route: off the plane, up the escalator, cross over the concourse, follow the custom agent's directions though a roped off corridor past the customs offices, then exit the offices and one is at the escalator descending from the Skylink station down to the concourse level; this is only several paces away from the Admiral's Club and Flagship Lounge shared entrance. By the time you've taken the elevator back up to the the Club level, the staff there greet you and usher you into the Flagship lounge.
Stupid. As if the security lines (even PreCheck) are not long enough already.
Wonder if one could then use a Lounge? Is a ticketed flight always required? Hey, free food at Capital One Landing and Amex Centurian.
I really don’t think we’re talking a big market here. Like who on God’s earth actually wants to go into the bowels of LAX by choice. Aside from picking up an elderly relative or surprising a loved one (and even that’s a stretch), this is more of a nice to have but doubtful we’ll notice an increase in queue wait times like some here have suggested.