If anyone else read the Travel page of the USA Today this morning, you probably noticed the same article I did. The Pittsburgh Intl Airport is considering a pilot program to allow non-ticketed passengers beyond security checkpoints for the first time since September 11.

Perhaps it is just me, but this seems like a bad idea for a thousand reasons, or at least a few:

My biggest concern is that it seems as though we're relaxing security again. I know that officials can say that everyone will be thoroughly screened, but we're still letting non-ticketed passengers that much closer to the flight line. Obviously Pittsburgh would like this new security procedure because of their "AirMall" shopping complex inside the terminal. For those who live in the Pittsburgh area, I'm interested to know how often did you drive to the airport to shop? Are there specialty stores or is there some attraction that drew you to the airport to shop? Most people I know hate large airports.

Another argument is that all of the hijackers on 9/11 were ticketed passengers! That's true, but now, it seems to me, terrorists are looking for any way possible to exploit our security system, so why give them even the slightest opportunity?

I do like the fact that, according to USA Today, families of soldiers leaving for the Middle East are allowed to accompany their loved ones to the departure gate. I suppose this is a limited number of people and they are properly screened.

Finally, I can't imagine the Monday and Saturday morning security delays at the nation's largest airports if ticketed passengers AND their family members were waiting in line. We already have to show up at the airport ridiculously early for a flight; why make our wait longer?

I would love to have my parents, girlfriend, etc... be able to sit with me until time to board my flight somewhere, especially if I would be gone for a while, but if it means less security and longer lines for everyone, it's not that important to me.

If anyone lives in the PIT area or other areas with airports that have shopping complexes, please let me know if you regularly used these services before Sept 11 and would you continue to drive to the airport to use them if they were available now?

As an aspiring airline pilot, I'm in favor of giving as many people as possible access to the world of aviation through large airports. I just think that it would be better if they all have boarding passes.

Any thoughts/suggestions appreciated.

Dave