SFO Now Lets You Walk Loved Ones to the Gate Again
For the first time in years, you can once again walk friends and family all the way to the gate at the airport, even if you are not flying.
San Francisco International Airport has launched a new program called Gate Explorer that allows approved visitors without plane tickets to pass through security and enter airport terminals. That means gate goodbyes, welcome-home hugs, and those last-minute send-offs are officially back.
Visitors can apply online up to 30 days in advance or even the same day. If approved, you will receive a digital pass after midnight on the day of your visit. You will still need a valid government-issued ID and you will go through the same security screening as ticketed passengers using the regular TSA lines.
Once inside, visitors can walk loved ones to their gate, meet arriving passengers, grab a bite to eat, or spend extra time together before takeoff. The pass works for domestic flights and certain precleared international arrivals, but it does not include access to most international customs areas.
Daily participation is limited to avoid long security lines, so spots may fill up during busy travel periods. For many families and travelers, this brings back a familiar airport tradition that has been missing for years.
Read more at Fly SFO
H/T SF Chronicle
