Easy/Hard for non-flying parent to escort minor thru TSA to gate?

[Huff]

We are headed to WDW next month. We have a connecting stop where we intend to meet up with a 13yr old girl to take with us to WDW. Our layover is too short for us to go out thru TSA and back. That means her parent, who will be bringing her to the airport has to escort her. We're flying United Airlines. I called them and was told it is up to the staff at United counter or possibly at the TSA security service desk. They can give the parent a pass to get through TSA but it is up to them to decide.

Has anyone done this? Is it easy, hard, time consuming to get a TSA pass?Theres no way this girl could navigate an airport on her own. We will be on her flight so no need for further escort so hate to pay the high fee for minor escort service. Help me not panic so all is well for our connection.

 

[MillauFr]

Never had a problem when my daughter was flying Alaska Airlines. They would always give me or my mom a gate pass to drop her off at the plane or meet her when she got off of the plane in Minneapolis or Seattle. Explain the situation to the airline employee at the check in desk and they should be able to help.

 

[JEWLSVERN]

I was able to escort my 14 year old nephew with no problem. Just need your ID to get through security.

 

[CPT Tripss]

I was able to escort my 14 year old nephew with no problem. Just need your ID to get through security.

And a gate pass from the airline. As a pp noted, it's up to the airline to provide the "paper" to go through security.

 

[sam_gordon]

We are headed to WDW next month. We have a connecting stop where we intend to meet up with a 13yr old girl to take with us to WDW. Our layover is too short for us to go out thru TSA and back. That means her parent, who will be bringing her to the airport has to escort her. We're flying United Airlines. I called them and was told it is up to the staff at United counter or possibly at the TSA security service desk. They can give the parent a pass to get through TSA but it is up to them to decide.

Has anyone done this? Is it easy, hard, time consuming to get a TSA pass?Theres no way this girl could navigate an airport on her own. We will be on her flight so no need for further escort so hate to pay the high fee for minor escort service. Help me not panic so all is well for our connection.

Depending on the layout of your connecting airport and how tight your connection is, you might also be able to go to the "secure" side of TSA (where people put their shoes on) and wait there. The parent stays on the "unsecure" side.

 

[tjmw2727]

I have had success in Boston, Manchester, NH, Baltimore and Philly with my daughters and or my dd's friends. When you check them in and check her bags simply ask the gate agent if you can have a gate pass to escort her through security.

 

[Lewisc]

Depending on the layout of your connecting airport and how tight your connection is, you might also be able to go to the "secure" side of TSA (where people put their shoes on) and wait there. The parent stays on the "unsecure" side.

+1 Getting a gate pass will probably require waiting on line at the counter. Probably means you won't be able to use a skycap or bag drop area.

She doesn't have to navigate the airport. An adult can park the car, take her to check her luggage and walk with her to the security area. At that point the should have confirmed the gate assignment and tell her to follow the signs to the gate.