mkt

Not a big deal, but definitely curious.

SO and I are presently long distance - me in TPA, her in SJU - because getting laid off in PR and finding work in TPA. We travel every two weeks to see each other, alternating who travels when.

The past few trips out of Florida to PR (MCO, TPA, FLL... we change it up), I've been able to get gate passes to spend time with her as she boards. I get through TSA, no problems

The last trip out of TPA, the TSO kept the gate pass. Is this normal - that the TSO keeps the gate pass?

Section 107

I have obtained many gate passes to meet/escort passengers over the years and I always retained them. Perhaps TPA has implemented a new local policy or you just encountered another moat dragon with incorrect understanding of procedures.

Boggie Dog

My thought, what if you are stopped by TSA while in the secure area without a ticket or gate pass.

I think that would raise some questions.

Xyzzy

I've gotten may gate passes in my time. I recall them being kept by TSA nce or twice. I have no idea why they felt compelled to do that.

I've also had the pleasure of being treated as an SSSS upon presentation of a gate pass. Why? Because, "You're not flying" -- as if that mattered.

Kate2015

Would it? I sometimes misplace boarding passes for my second flight if connecting. I usually don't print another one from a kiosk until closer to boarding time, because, well, I lost the first one. It never crossed my mind that this would be a problem.

Boggie Dog

I think it would be a problem for TSA.

If you confuse them no telling what will happen.

Kate2015

I guess I'm finally to the point where if I know I'm in the right, I don't care what they think or do.

T-the-B

Many times I have arrived at my final destination (having already handed in my boarding pass) and waited in the sterile area to meet a colleague arriving later. I see nothing against the regulations in doing that.

A few years ago in BNA the TSA employees stationed at the WTMDs were demanding to see boarding passes before allowing one to proceed. (I guess they thought the document examiners 25 feet in front of them were incompetent.) My standard practice then was to hand them my boarding pass and immediately proceed on my way so as to keep my belongings in view. This always resulted in me on the other side of the WTMD with no boarding pass and the TSA employee on the other side still holding my pass. Again, nothing against the regulations in that. I just had to get another pass sometime before boarding.

My reading of the regulations says you have to present a valid ticket or gate pass to gain entry to the sterile area and if requested prior to boarding. I see no requirement to have a ticket or gate pass to remain in the sterile area once properly clearing security. I'm sure many TSA employees lack the reasoning to understand the distinction but that is their problem.

Boggie Dog

Your readings may be 100% dead on however I'm not sure TSA employees can read. I have witnessed screeners wandering around the secure area demanding boarding passes of already screened passengers. Not only is this wasteful of manpower but demonstrates that TSA is overstaffed or not screening those people who present the greatest threat, airport workers.

MSPeconomist

I would object to having one or more TSA employees keep anything of mine, including travel documents that contain personal information.

Kate2015

This is my understanding as well and why I don't worry about it, regardless of what they think. Especially since there is more than one way of entering the secure area.

Often1

No problem having your gate pass collected by TSA. It serves no purpose once other than to get you through the checkpoint.

If you happen to lose a BP, there's also no problem until it comes time to board. So, sometime between the checkpoint and boarding, you will need to obtain a new one.

Collecting the gate pass is a big nothing.

FlyingHoustonian

I get a lot of gate passes to visit the United Club and have never had TSA keep it, though, of course, I never get pre-check, which I always do on my UA flights.

SeriouslyLost

Except for all the information on the pass and the record of criminality on the part of TSA, sure, no problem at all.

petaluma1

You might want to read this:

http://krebsonsecurity.com/2015/10/w...barcode-a-lot/