<p>D will be traveling through O’Hare tomorrow on her way to her spring break destination, and will have a two-hour layover at O’Hare. At best, if all goes well, that should give us almost an hour and a half for a visit/lunch, etc.</p>
<p>I called the airport to ask if it was possible to get a pass to get through security without a ticket. They said yes, but I had to get it through the airline. Called the airline (after trying to locate a number for almost 30 mnutes that someone would actually answer), and they said I have to request the pass from airport security, but seemed to think it wouldn’t be difficult to do - I’d just need to provide my daughter’s flight information, my appropriate ID, etc.</p>
<p>I know I’ve seen people get through security to greet passengers before (actually last month), so I figure there must be some way to do it. Has anyone else done this, or have any suggestions (other than smile like a beauty pageant the whole time I’m making the request) on how to increase my odds of getting through? I actually do have something to deliver to her (her bathing suit - she just realized two days ago she forgot to take it back to school with her in January), so it would be nice if they’d let me through. She’s afraid if, for some reason (we know O’Hare all too well), her flight is delayed arriving at O’Hare, she won’t have enough time to exit security and get back through it to her departure gate.</p>
<p>I’ve done this to meet planes for both daughters, and for one of their friends, when they were underage, and for my mother who’s a freak when she travels. No problems at all–you get a “gate pass” from the ticket counter agent. You might try to avoid mentioning her age; don’t tell them you’re meeting for lunch or to give them her swimsuit–the security dudes would be way wary of you trying to “hand off” dangerous items to her… (my H would make up an elaborate story about her needing your help somehow…). And make sure you take the swimsuit in a small (shopping/plastic?) bag. And look as concerned-motherly as you can. Good luck!!!</p>
<p>I’ve done it for underage kids and elderly parents. I got a special pass from a ticket agent and went right through security without a problem. Just don’t mention your d’s age–I bet you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>three years ago they let me through when she came home for Thanksgiving, but she had a broken foot, and was in a walking cast.</p>
<p>Sounds like it IS the ticket agent for the airline I should approach, though, if I’m reading you all correctly.</p>
<p>I have a horrible poker face, though, so I need to approach this as honestly as possible… without giving out TOO much information. I won’t mention her age, but the worrier in me wonders what if they ask.</p>
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Don’t do that - they may think your nuts. I have this image in my mind of a Mom with a maniacal grin on her face getting hauled off by security.</p>
<p>You learn so much through CC. I had no idea you could even do this. Good luck. Let us know what you end up having to do.</p>
<p>Yea, I thought about that, too. But every article I’ve read in the last five years says if you’re asking for something out of the ordinary from anyone in an airport, to be as courteous and cordial as possible.</p>
<p>teriwtt, I did this last year, “escorting” my twin sons to their gate. They were certainly old enough to do it themselves (teenagers) but since it was the first time they were flying alone, I was able to obtain a “gate pass” at the ticket counter. Good luck!</p>
<p>I have gotten gate passes at O’Hare a few times. </p>
<p>Go to the gate agent for your daughter’s airline, or tell the person who is monitoring the line what you need. </p>
<p>Depending on the airline, you will be sent to another line–some of the airlines can do it at baggage check in, other have what I call a “special cirmcumstances agent.” (I also had to go there to get on a plane last minute–and get a reduced flight price because of an emergency.)</p>
<p>Obviously you will need photo id.</p>
<p>They will ask you what flight you are meeting, and the passengers name.</p>
<p>If there is an elevated security code–it can get a little harder to do.</p>
<p>meredesfilles - I think I will print off your suggestion and take it with me! This may all be a moot point now, as we’re expected to get lake effect snow tomorrow, which means her arrival here could be delayed. However, if I get a gate pass, I can get inside the terminal long enough to hand off the bathing suit as she goes from one gate to another :)</p>
<p>I have had recent experience with this exact same scenario. I was able to get a “gate pass” from the airline agent in the airport three years ago when D was barely underage, and it was also her first trip alone on an airplane. What I didn’t realize at the time was how traumatized I would be after having gone through the security checkpoints and experienced a “pat down” by two overzealous female security guards - there was one point that while they were performing “their duty”, I lost contact with my pocketbook, because that item had to be placed on the moving security belt, and I couldn’t keep my eyes on it. It was so nervewracking, that I figured that it would have been easier for me to have just taken the flight already. This is coming from someone who hasn’t been on an airplane in many years.</p>
<p>I wasn’t able to get a gate pass this year and also last year, since D is now overage, and I couldn’t talk the airline agent into giving me one. I wasn’t looking forward to getting another “pat down” anyway, so it was probably for the best. I’m surprised that some airlines/airports are allowing “gate passes” for some travelers that are of age. I thought that this was a TSA regulation - that’s what the airline agent told me - that TSA makes the rules and the airline has to follow them - this is in regard to issuing “gate passes”.</p>
<p>I too was UNable to get a gate pass, and my D was heading to Russia (she was 18). Oh well, she was in tears and all I could do was blow kisses as she went up the escalator.</p>
<p>That happened to me once this year (they asked, and I didn’t know the rules so when I said l7, they said no.) If you can’t boldface lie and say “14” (or whatever is the magic number) and knowing you cyberly, I bet that’s not gonna fly…then I’m wondering if she’d have time to come out from security to meet you? But she has to return through the security line, boo, it cuts into your time.</p>
<p>Am wondering if you can pre-arrange with the airlines to pass the bathing suit through security to her, but probably they’re not interested in so much customer service. You’d feel like you’re on either side of the Berlin Wall. Too sad.</p>
<p>How frustrating! I hope something works out, but if it were me I wouldn’t like the tension of hoping to get in and then being foiled at the last minute. I might go ballistic…</p>
<p>Talked with two gate agents upon arriving at O’Hare and they were a no go. Then I mentioned it to someone at an information desk (trying to figure out logistics of where to meet her outside of security), and she said to try again, that sometimes it depends on the gate agent, but I didn’t want to take up the time I needed to come up with Plan B. </p>
<p>For those familiar with O’Hare and its massive United terminal, she came in at concourse C (the one you can only get to by going through the underground light show), but her next flight left from concourse B, so she was at least heading in the right direction to exit security. As soon as I knew they had deplaned, I headed over to the Hilton, got a table, and ordered a couple of appetizers. We ended up having a nice hour-long lunch (the lunch choices were amazing), and one of her friends joined us. The other two were too paranoid they wouldn’t make it back in time. The server at the Hilton was very congnizant of their schedule, and they made it back to the airport with plenty of time to get back through security. And yes, she got the bathing suit, so mission accomplished.</p>
<p>While I was talking to one of the gate agents, another father came up and requested one. They asked if his daughter was a minor, and he said yes. I wanted to ask him how old she was after he got his pass, to see if he was telling the truth or working the system. </p>
<p>While it really wasn’t all that inconvenient for her to exit security, the difficulty was finding a place to eat. There were a couple of kiosk delis, but no place to sit down at a table and eat unless you were in the actual terminal, or went to the Hilton.</p>
<p>Yay for the Teriwtt luncheon! Next assignment: you’re ready to assist Popeye Doyle for the French Connection! Glad it worked out, a real morale boost for both of you, surely.</p>
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