Only 50 people will be selected for the program per day, and you will need to apply and pass a background check.
SAN ANTONIO — It’s called the SAT PASS Program, and it’s been launched by the San Antonio International Airport.
It’s a pass that will allow up to 50 people per day to be with a flier at an airport gate.
The program was launched just 2 days ago, and so far 97 people have applied, with 47 using the pass today.
Marq Hugues dropped off his wife, for her flight to London to see their grandchildren. Hughes said his goodbyes at the drop off area, but he was not aware, he could have spent a few extra hours with his wife before she boarded her flight.
Tonya Hope, Public Relations Manager, with the San Antonio International Airport said now, loved ones can give greetings or goodbyes at the gate.
”So, if you are traveling and you want your family or friends to walk you to the gate, or spend some extra time with you before your flight takes off, you can use it with this pass,” Hope said.
Hughes said he believes the program is a great idea, being able to spend extra time with your loved ones.
“Usually you just have to drop them off, you have to say goodbye now. This way you can go in the back to the gate with them, and sit until the airplane comes,” Hughes said.
You can also surprise arriving guests. Hope said a small number of other airports have a similar program.
The idea of the program came from several survey’s of travelers and passengers, showing that they wanted this type of program, according to Hope.
“When you think back prior to 911, travelers could come to the gate. They didn’t need a pass. Airlines still offer a pass if you’re escorting someone that’s in a wheelchair, or needs a specific escort. You can still work with your airlines to do this,” Hope said.
Hope said up to 50 people will be selected per day, so exactly how does it work?
“You go online to flysanantonio.com and you apply for a pass. Once you’ve been approved for that pass, you get a QR code on your phone, and you use that QR code to go through the TSA checkpoint,” Hope said.
Hope said you have to go through a background check, which can take 1 to 3 days, so she encourages passengers to apply with enough time for it to process.
Hughes said he is now considering surprising his wife, when she arrives.
“Absolutely. Absolutely,” he said.