Families can obtain pass to greet military members at airport gates
The Transportation Security Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has put out a directive pertaining to military passengers on airlines. According to Security Directive 1544-01-10w, “Access to Sterile Concourse for Non-Traveling Individuals,” family members of a military passenger may be given a pass:
* to escort the military passenger to the gate
* to meet a military passenger’s inbound arrival at the gate.
http://www.nsamidsouth.navy.mil/publications/bluejacket/2005/bj-050210/bj-story04.htm
10 February 2005, Vol. 64 No. 5
The family member can go to the airline that the military member is flying on and receive a pass to go to the gate. The member will be required to have a pass and a photo I.D. to get past the security checkpoint.
This is an especially wonderful change for military personnel who are on leave from Afghanistan or Iraq. It will be a better “welcome home” for the service member to get off the airplane and see their family waiting at the gate. This will also allow the service member to be able to stay with their family longer before having to leave.
Always check for a USO at the airport for a comfortable place to wait for your flight.