I was able to secure a gate pass without any problem at EWR back in October. My wife fiancee, at the time, was flying alone, ewr - tlv, with her wedding dress. As I took her to check in, i showed my gold elite card to the check in agent at the kiosk and told over my story. I was granted a gate pass without any problems from the continental side.

There were two issues though.

1. The TSA security person had no idea what to make of this when I was passing through security. I still could not get through into the sterile area for the TLV flights.

2. I still could not get into the sterile area for the TLV flights.