I’m a type of who don’t thoughts doing airport drop offs and pickups. Usually I’ll really park and stroll the individual to safety or meet them once they come out. I miss the times when you might undergo safety with the individual, stroll them to their gate, and wave to their aircraft because it pushed again. Or welcome them with a smile on the gate as they deplaned. Most drop offs as we speak are about velocity and effectivity; the motive force will barely roll to a cease, individuals rush out of the automobile, luggage are thrown to the curb, there are just a few fast goodbyes, after which everybody skedaddles earlier than being yelled at by the authorities.
Again in 2018, Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA) initiated a brand new program known as the SEA Customer Cross Program. This free program primarily permits you to journey again in time to when a non-flying customer may undergo safety. I’ve been desirous to attempt this system first-hand, however a possibility by no means got here up… till not too long ago. I had a pal flying in from Montana and I made a decision to present it a shot. I didn’t allow them to know my sport plan and my hope was to shock them on the gate.
I’d say that for probably the most half issues went fairly easily and it was well worth the expertise. Nevertheless, I’m not positive it will develop into an everyday factor for me.
To take part, it is advisable do some planning and obtain authorization earlier than heading to the airport, however it’s simple sufficient. Listed below are the fundamentals that it is advisable know:
1) Apply On-line
- Fill out the applying. It has very primary questions comparable to identify, e mail, dob, date of go to, and many others. It took me lower than a minute to fill out.
- Be aware that there’s a restrict of solely 300 guests per day. Usually not a difficulty besides in the course of the summer time and holidays, however it’s all the time greatest to enroll sooner relatively than later.
- Be sure that to learn all the principles and restrictions as they may change.
2) Look ahead to TSA’s Approval
- If authorized, you’ll get an e mail with a QR code, after midnight the day of your go to.
- Should you’re denied for some motive, you may need to comply with up with the TSA to be sure you don’t run into future points.
3) Go Via Safety
- You’ll be able to solely undergo Checkpoint 4, which could be lame if it’s backed up and others are usually not.
- You have to a type of legitimate REAL ID, identical to for those who had been a flying passenger.
- Your Pre-Verify or CLEAR does you no good right here… you must undergo the “regular” course of.
I’ll say that this expertise made me miss my Pre-Verify (yea, yea, I do know I’m spoiled). After I went, Checkpoint 4 was backed up and passengers had been being despatched to one of many different areas with shorter strains. After I defined that I had a SEA Customer Cross, at first they didn’t appear to grasp, however they lastly let me in. It took about 45min to get via and once I lastly reached the TSA agent, she checked out me blankly once I confirmed my QR code and defined it was for the SEA Customer Cross… confidence was sinking. Nevertheless, it turned out she was new and known as over a supervisor and with just a few clicks of the keyboard, I used to be licensed… yeehaw!
I ended up making getting via safety tougher on myself as a result of I made a decision to put on cowboy boots. They regarded superior, however having to take them off to be scanned was a ache… even with having no baggage. Talking of bags… one factor that was actually bizarre all through my total expertise was not having any. My mind would have these little panic moments: “Omg, the place is my bag? I should have misplaced it,” earlier than remembering my mission.
After my pal landed, I advised slightly white lie that I’d decide them up outdoors of luggage declare. As an alternative, I stood off to the aspect of the gate as passengers began to deplane. I began to marvel if my pal would even discover me. I hoped that I wouldn’t have to finish up working after them yelling their identify like a loopy individual. Fortunately, it ended up figuring out fairly nicely.
Fairly shortly my pal checked out me, however then regarded away, probably not comprehending it was me. “Nah, David wouldn’t be at my gate,” was the look on their face. Then they regarded again and began smiling and had been clearly entertained that I in some way managed my strategy to the gate. My largest remorse of this complete factor was not saying “I received to the gate as a result of I’m Airport Batman!” Oh nicely, there’s all the time subsequent time!
The SEA Customer Cross will not be just for shocking individuals on the gate, it will also be nice for people who find themselves dropping off or selecting up kids, an older member of the family, or anybody who may want some further help. Additionally, individuals can use it to benefit from the outlets or eating places on the airside. And naturally AvGeeks may simply need to go hang around for just a few hours and take a look at the beautiful airplanes.
BONUS: Our pal Harriet Baskas not too long ago revealed a narrative on The Factors Man that particulars choices at different airports that’s value testing.
Curious to study a bit extra about this system, I reached out to Perry Cooper, Media Relations Supervisor at SEA. I requested if there was any discuss of increasing this system to further examine factors or permitting people to make use of Pre-Verify or CLEAR sooner or later. Sadly he stated that neither is within the works. I requested how many individuals use this system and I used to be advised that in 2024, SEA noticed virtually 50,000 requests and about 14,800 individuals really adopted via. And thru August of this yr, there have been about 48,000 requests and 18,125 used. I used to be pleasantly shocked by the recognition!
Between looking for parking and hitting just a few snags with safety (the cowboy boot holdup was on me), I used to be a bit flustered by the point I reached the gate. I’ll say it was completely value it to shock my pal and I feel it is a nice program, however I’ll doubtless solely use it for particular events!
Have you ever used an analogous program earlier than? How did it go?
Be aware: Earlier than utilizing this program, or some other related ones, please evaluate their web site to see if any modifications have been made. You don’t need to get your hand slapped by the TSA!
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