Sort of a weird airport question....

[MeetingMickeyin2006]

Back before 9/11, we were planning a WDW trip. I was deathly afraid to fly, so DH and I would go to the airport to watch planes take off and land. This really boosted my confidence! Well, then 9/11 happened, and then I got preggo (big surprise!), and we ended up not going.

My question is, can we still go to the airport and watch the planes? I thought I heard since 9/11, ticketed passengers only are allowed in the airport. I really want my son to be able to see the planes take off and land before we fly, but I don't know if we can still do this? Does anyone know?

 

[the kabuki]

Only ticketed passengers can go past security to the gates. I guess it would depend on how the airport is set up on whether or not you'd actually be able to see them take off and land. Most airports I've been to you can only see them from the windows by the gate.

 

[dudspizza]

MSP (Minneapolis-St Paul) has a road that runs along one of the runways. They built a parking lot that people can go to to watch takeoffs and landings. We go quite often just to dream.

It is true that you cannot go to the gate anymore. Some airports you can get to the shops and some observation areas, but MSP you can only get to the ticket counters. You can't get to the shops, restraunts, or gates without a ticket.

Good luck. Flying has not changed since 9/11, just security is a little tighter. We flew March 02, 6 months after 9/11 and had no fears of flying.....

Duds

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Back before 9/11, we were planning a WDW trip. I was deathly afraid to fly, so DH and I would go to the airport to watch planes take off and land. This really boosted my confidence! Well, then 9/11 happened, and then I got preggo (big surprise!), and we ended up not going.

My question is, can we still go to the airport and watch the planes? I thought I heard since 9/11, ticketed passengers only are allowed in the airport. I really want my son to be able to see the planes take off and land before we fly, but I don't know if we can still do this? Does anyone know?

Your son doesn't need to see the planes take off and land before he flies. He can't be more than 3 and shouldn't be afraid... like another poster said, you can go near the airport, but if you just don't make a big deal of it, he'll never learn to fear flying. Tell him how exciting it is, the big engines rumble... and away you go!


Please turn off the faucet in so cal!!!

 

[safetymom]

Most airports have someplace outside that you can watch the planes landing and taking off. The inside locations usually are located past security so that won't help.

I have heard though of people buying fully refundable tickets, going through security and seeing their friend, and then going to the ticket counter and getting their money back. Pretty expensive outlay of money to just see planes but you could do it.