The RCC is where you want to try...although technically since you're arriving and not connecting to another flight they *may* not let you come in. Absolutely worth a try.
To get to the RCC just take the long people mover walkway from the gate area to the terminal and when you get there follow the signs to "Lounges". You will come to a bar area and there are some elevators near the bar that you take up to the lounge. The RCC opens at 7am so if your flight arrives early you may have to wait a few minutes (pretty common).
As far as a place to meet your friends... I recommend you meet them where the moving walkway reaches the terminal. There is only 1 possible direction for them to walk from the gate and you can easily stand there and wait for their arrival. The RCC is inside security and passport control so you can go through passport control with your friends.
One minor concern... if you are checking a bag then it will be sitting out in the baggage claim area the whole time you are waiting for them (probably no big deal). You are not able to get your bag and then get back into the terminal to the RCC since baggage claim is beyond passport control and security.
Last edited by SEA1K4EVR; Jun 3, 2008 at 1:00 pm