My answer to this is "never again, I hope." I don't think the airport should be a social gathering place. It just creates unnecessary inconveniences for other pax--longer security lines, more folks crowding the gate area, slow-moving groups clogging the walkways. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to finally be rid of the family reunion scenes in SLC when the Mormon missionaries were departing/arriving. I'm also relieved that I no longer have to stand behind a couple saying their intimate goodbyes while I'm trying to board. I realize not everyone makes such a spectacle of themselves, but overall I think limiting the number of people in an already busy & overcrowded space is good practice.