Originally Posted by
GUWonder
Does this help the airport’s hotel and the airside retail outlets to get extra money? Then it’s not a surprise that the airport owner/operator wants to see this happen. The only question is why don’t more airports push for the same kind of thing? Is it because TSA wants to charge for most people accessing the airside part of the airport and also wants a means to pre-check people who are neither passengers nor people working at or via the airside section of the airports?
The airport seems to have a process in place to hand over visitor details, under this program, to the US federal government for a pre-checking. And the program seems to require meeting the TSA TDC requirements. This may also mean no-fly blacklisted persons can’t use the program to spend money airside at DTW. Does it also mean watchlisted persons blacklisted for SSSS hits when flying will also be prevented from using the program to spend money airside at DTW?
I think this program is more for someone wanting to go to the gate with a family member or friend, since 9/11 there has always been "squeaky wheels" complaining about not being able to goto the gate to see whoever off. I can't think of any retail outlet in DTW that isn't in a mall/shopping center in the Detroit area, someone going online the day before to fill out the form, driving all the way to the airport, paying to park and going through security just to buy noise canceling headphones or a Lions hoodie doesn't make sense.
Also doesn't the Westin attached to DTW already allow registered guests access to the the McNamara Terminal?