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All: I used this last deployment to greet Kevin…just thought you might want to know.
The Transportation Security Administration has issued a directive pertaining to military passengers at U.S. airports. According to Security Directive 1544-01-10w, families of military members may be granted access to sterile concourse areas to escort the military passenger to the gate or to meet a military passenger’s inbound arrival at the gate.
The family member can go to the airline that the military member is flying on and receive a pass to go to the gate. They will be required to have a pass and a photo ID to get through the security checkpoint. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to stay with the departing military member longer before they depart, or to be able to greet them at the gate upon their arrival.
Thanks, Tara, for the great tip! But, at the risk of sounding stupid, Laine & I are not “officially” married yet. Would I still be allowed to do this? How do they verify that you are a family member? Do they have a roster with the soldiers names & compare your ID to that? I would love to surprise him by being able to be at the gate rather than at the luggage pick up,(this is where he thought we would get to meet at). It is closer to his leave time & I would love to have my ducks in a row! Thanks!!
It will be up to the Airline and their Rules if they will let you go to the Gate , being a Fiance. I found all the Airlines to be very accommadating and helpful, so far I haven’t heard any bad stories
. They didn’t check any Roster / Flight list, I just walked up to the Counter and immediatly she made the Boarding pass for me. Here at the Airport in Alaska they go out of their way to be nice to anything Military related 
!
I had to show my DEERS card, which identifies my husband as sponsor, then they cross checked if his name was on the plane passenger list before they let me through. This was Delta airlines.
Thanks for that info–I can’t wait to surprise my husband when he comes home. And now in my fantasies regarding our R&R reunion I can picture meeting him at the gate!!! Not that I dwell on that much…..
Ok well just a few hundred times a day……
This is wonderful that I can meet my son and see him off as I only see him about once a year and have in the past tried to watch him from afar until he leaves talking on a cell phone and through the camera close up viewer in order to see him longer. It’s about time, don’t we give up enough already to have our loved ones gone?
Hi, Just wanted to let you know that not all Delta airlines personnel are as helpful. I was told that if my husband wasn't coming from a war zone, that is the Iraq, then I couldn't have a gate pass. Basically what they were saying that his 30 + years of military service and 20 months overseas unaccompanied service wasn't as valued.
Just sent my son off today and it was disappointing. I did eventually get a gate pass. Being deployed or returning from deployment should be none of the airlines business. It should fall under an OPSEC rule. The first agent didn't let me have one. Went upstairs, got one for myself and husband. First agent blamed it on TSA. Is my son's sacrifice for this country worth less than one who is deploying? I don't think we want to take it to that level. If I cannot speak to my son when I choose, see my son when I choose, visit him when I choose *and he the same* then I would say a great sacrifice is being made. This is the second time we have been refused. Very unfortunate….the feeling is no less than anger toward the agents and the airlines involved.