Meeting someone at the airport gate in the US?
As of quite awhile back you're not able to meet people at the gate of the arriving flight.
However, I've come across certain sites like Churchill Executive Cars, which offers a concierge service that supposedly allows an agent of the company to meet the client at the gate or even on the tarmac and help them through the Immigration and Customs this one specifically in JFK but they offer similar service in other major New York Area airports.
VIP TARMAC
Additionally, we have tarmac service available that would allow a passenger to de-board the plane directly onto the tarmac where their luggage will be loaded into a private car, taken to a private immigration area, and then dropped with a Churchill Executive Cars driver outside the terminal to take them to their final destination.
VIP ARRIVALS
On arrivals, we will have a Churchill Executive Cars Agent meet the passengers at the gate when they de-board the airplane. The agent will have a sign with the passenger's name and Churchill logo and have a baggage porter ready to carry their carry-on bags. The agent will then whisk them through fast-track immigration and customs, and pass the passengers along to the Churchill Executive Cars driver to be taken to their final destination.
Now if this is true there is a way for someone to have clearance to go airside to meet a person but I was unable to find any references on how such a clearance can be attained.
So is this real? And can this be done by an Average Joe?
Best Answer
Domestic departures and arrivals are not separated in the USA so your task is to get inside security. That's easy! Buy a refundable ticket for a flight say 6-8 hours later than your meeting, walk through security and the moment you have crossed security, cancel your ticket for a full refund. Of course you want to check the fine print before you do this but the worst I can remember is the cancel deadline being two hours, sometimes it's an even shorter period.
Pictures about "Meeting someone at the airport gate in the US?"
How do you meet someone at an airport gate?
Meeting someone at the airport gate is possible but requires either an airport gate pass or an escort pass. If you'll be meeting someone who needs assistance (minors, elderly, disabled people, military personnel), you should be able to do that.Can someone accompany me to the gate?
Most airlines do give out gate passes, which allow non-ticketed individuals to accompany ticketed passengers past security to the gate. However, gate passes are typically meant, at least officially, for parents of unaccompanied minors, people assisting elderly or disabled passengers, and military families.Can you greet someone at the airport?
Welcome signs are the best-known way to greet someone at the airport. Drivers and guides use simple signs with group or passenger names for easy identification, but you can take the concept of the sign and make it much more fun.Can you go into the airport to see someone off?
Some airlines will also let you meet minors or persons with disability upon landing at the arrival gate (you should contact your airline to see if this is applicable). See your friend off at the boarding gate. The Airport Escort Pass works like a boarding pass.At the Airport
More answers regarding meeting someone at the airport gate in the US?
Answer 2
Companies like the mentioned limousine service, as well as some big tour operators like cruise lines, bus tours, etc sometimes have licensed meet & greet staff. These staff have had to undergo security clearance and are issued airport ids that allow them access to gate areas.
It is possible to be issued a temporary gate pass when sending off and meeting small children and elderly parents. But these privileges are limited and at the discretion of the airline or airport staff.
However getting access to the gate area for meeting friends and such won't happen unless there is some extraordinary circumstance.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Andrea Piacquadio, PhotoMIX Company, Keira Burton, Vincent Albos