Air Travel Question

[jennynoel]

This isn't related to Disney travel - but I'm hoping someone here can point me in the right direction.

Is there any way to get clearance to go through security at the airport, meet someone at their gate and escort them to a connecting flight?

We have a family member with Alzheimers. She needs to fly from one point to another and there aren't any direct flights available. She's still active and able to travel, but she would not be able to navigate the airport well enough to make her connection.

We live near one of the cities that she could possibly fly through and we're just trying to figure out all our options before we decide what's best!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Check with the airline; explaining the situation.

Earlier this year I had one of my Grandnephews (17yo) staying with me for a few days. When I took him to the airport I was able to get a Gate Access Pass from the airline when we checked him in, so I was able to be with him and remained at the gate until the aircraft departed, so I was able to report to his parents he was safely on his way.

 

[Brer Chump]

This isn't related to Disney travel - but I'm hoping someone here can point me in the right direction.

Is there any way to get clearance to go through security at the airport, meet someone at their gate and escort them to a connecting flight?

We have a family member with Alzheimers. She needs to fly from one point to another and there aren't any direct flights available. She's still active and able to travel, but she would not be able to navigate the airport well enough to make her connection.

We live near one of the cities that she could possibly fly through and we're just trying to figure out all our options before we decide what's best!

Thanks in advance!

So there is a family member traveller going from point A to point C with a stop and a change of planes at point B. You want to meet the traveller at point B and assist with going from arriving gate to departure gate?

If this is right I do not think you can get a pass without someone originating or terminating their travel at your point. I believe in these situations, the airline would assist the traveler getting from gate to gate.

 

[jmkrat]

We were able to escort my MIL on the plane when she went to Newark 2 years ago. I called AA, and they said all we have to do is go to the check in counter and ask for a (what they called a fake boarding pass) and we could escort her to her plane. You do need to show a driver's license and go through security. We were able to wait until she boarded. They had helped her off the plane ( had a wheel chair waiting). I am sorry but I don't remember if her friend was at the gate waiting for her or if the AA crew took her to the baggage area in her wheel chair. I believe the AA folks took her to the baggage area. They were great. She has sinced passed away and I can't ask her. I believe the AA people took her. They did let her friend take her to boarding on the way back. Call the airline, they help people with disabilities all the time. I think they should be able to safely get your family member through to her connecting flight. Explain the circumstances and they will write it on her reservation. Have someone walk her through on her departure day and verify what ever arrangements that have been made at the gate. I called the airline to confirm the plans that were made over the phone. Good luck, I hope this helped.

 

[Edd]

There are employees at the airport who do that type of work. Normally you will not be able to get into the secured area unless you are flying out. There are not many exceptions to that rule. If there were I would be concerned.

 

[jmkrat]

There are employees at the airport who do that type of work. Normally you will not be able to get into the secured area unless you are flying out. There are not many exceptions to that rule. If there were I would be concerned.

I am not quite sure I understand you. I can understand the fact that you can not get into a secure area if you are not flying or are not with someone who is flying. That is why I think they escorted my Mother in law to the baggage area when she landed to wait for her friend. But, they did let us take her to the plane and we were not flying. We did have to show legal proof of identity and go through security, but we were allowed to go to the gate with her and wait. I could see not letting people arrive at the airport and say they have to meet someone to help them (that would not be secure) but if you have the ticket holding person with you that is another case. She flew out of OHare and to Newark. She flew American Airlines and it was allowed 2 years ago.

 

[Edd]

If you allow one person back into the secure area with a "handicapped person" you will have to allow many more. Than the chances of a security breach become more probable. If you need help flying an airlines, and don't want to use qualified personnel, than maybe the help should buy a ticket and fly with the person needing help.

Security on the airlines is one step above "handicapped." The airlines provide the proper personnel to escort "relatives" or "loved ones" that need that help behind the secured area.

 

[BigTigger]

OP - Refer to here:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm

and call them on questions. There is no specific rule in place, but you have a few possible ways you could be allowed. It is the call of the Federal Security Director at the airport in question. An advance cal lto that person will give you your answer.

Best of luck.

 

[salmoneous]

If you allow one person back into the secure area with a "handicapped person" you will have to allow many more. Than the chances of a security breach become more probable.

Only letting ticketed passengers past security doesn't increase safety. If somebody wanted to cause harm, the little matter of getting a ticket (or, more to the point, something that looks like a boarding pass) wouldn't stop them.

The only thing you gain my keeping non-ticketed passengers out is a decrease in the lines at security.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I am not quite sure I understand you. I can understand the fact that you can not get into a secure area if you are not flying or are not with someone who is flying. That is why I think they escorted my Mother in law to the baggage area when she landed to wait for her friend. But, they did let us take her to the plane and we were not flying.

Right. But it appears yur MIL was boarding her originating flight and you were allowed to escort her to the plane. The OP wants to meet the relative's originating flight at the connecting airport and escort her safely to the connecting flight. That is most likely not going to be possible - but BigTigger's advice is sound.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Here's one way to do what you want if the airline won't help you out. Buy a fully refundable ticket, get a boarding pass, go through security meet your relative and then depart the airport. Then cash in the unused ticket.

 

[Melissa_E]

If you allow one person back into the secure area with a "handicapped person" you will have to allow many more. Than the chances of a security breach become more probable. If you need help flying an airlines, and don't want to use qualified personnel, than maybe the help should buy a ticket and fly with the person needing help.

Security on the airlines is one step above "handicapped." The airlines provide the proper personnel to escort "relatives" or "loved ones" that need that help behind the secured area.

Actually, there are plenty of times that the airline will allow non-ticketed people to go to the gate to meet loved ones. I've done it a few times. First, if you are a family member of someone in the military and they are coming home from deployment, you can get a "fake boarding pass" to go through security and meet them at the gate. If they are coming home from another base in the USA, the spouse can meet them at the gate, but if it is from a deployment (i.e. Iraq) as many family members that are there are allowed to meet them.

Secondly, if a passenger does need extra help due to a handicap, whether it is permanent or temporary, a family member can assist all the way to the gate. When I had ACL surgery, I didn't know what the recovery was going to be like and seriously considered going to MIL's to recover. When I checked with the airlines, they would have allowed a family member to help wrangle my 4 year old to the gate with me.

To the OP, I would call the airline, have records of all of the flights for your family member and explain the situation. Chances are they will allow you to assist your family member. You will go through security just like everyone else with your issued "non-boarding pass" and go to the gate.

Good luck!

 

[dburg30]

Only letting ticketed passengers past security doesn't increase safety. If somebody wanted to cause harm, the little matter of getting a ticket (or, more to the point, something that looks like a boarding pass) wouldn't stop them.

The only thing you gain my keeping non-ticketed passengers out is a decrease in the lines at security.

I agree, if anything, by doing this all at the airport, you've already added a higher profile to yourself by calling attention to yourself with the airline, not exactly what you want to do if you are trying to do something you shouldnt be doing.

 

[dburg30]

There are employees at the airport who do that type of work. Normally you will not be able to get into the secured area unless you are flying out. There are not many exceptions to that rule. If there were I would be concerned.

Are these those folks that look annoyed at having to bring a wheelchair to the gates when someone needs help? Yea, exactly who I'd want to trust my, as you so wonderfully called them 'loved ones' with.

 

[Alexander]

DH was given a pass to go through security to help me with the baby and our other young son. The Delta agent insisted that he should be helping me with the two kids. He had to go through security just like everyone else did. He waited until we boarded the plane and then left. It was not a big deal. If you have a legitimate reason for someone to go to the gate with you, they will let you.

However, since the OP's traveler won't even be passing through security at the layover airport, I think the circumstances are very different. You may need to rely on the airline personnel to handle this. Best wishes.

 

[Melissa_E]

Are these those folks that look annoyed at having to bring a wheelchair to the gates when someone needs help? Yea, exactly who I'd want to trust my, as you so wonderfully called them 'loved ones' with.

Not to mention the woman that was just left on the tarmac at an airport this weekend by US air.

http://www.local6.com/news/14922473/detail.html