SEA implements Visitor Pass program

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Nov 11, 2018, 2:45 pm

#16

dimramon

Join Date: Feb 2005

Location: DEN, or so it says...

Programs: UA1K/RCC, Avis CHM, NWA Plat, SPG Plat

Posts: 2,885

On one hand, I appreciate this effort, especially since TSA's security theater is ineffective.
On the other hand, SEATAC has to be one of the most mismanaged outfits out there. They can't keep up with pax as it is...

Nov 11, 2018, 3:00 pm

#17

rolling_stone

Join Date: Jun 2015

Location: California

Posts: 50

An issue I have at some airports is that there is such a crowd at the gate it can be really hard to find a seat to wait in before the flight takes off. If you add more people that don't need to be there it will only make matters worse.

Nov 11, 2018, 3:39 pm

#18

Often1

Suspended

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: DCA

Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL

Posts: 50,262

Reading the details of the program, SEA will only offer it to 50 people per day Tue-Sat. Must apply online the day before. I didn't bother to look at the SEA stats, but this is a statistically insignificant number. I suppose a hassle if all 50 show up at the same instant and are headed to see someone off at the same gate, but that seems unlikely.

Nov 12, 2018, 6:52 am

#19

Randyk47

Join Date: May 2011

Location: San Antonio, TX

Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry

Posts: 1,863

Quote:

Originally Posted by Often1

I was in and out of SEA about six weeks ago and it was a mess. I hesitate to say it was the worst because that just opens up a debate on what airport is the worst but it has to be right up there. Even with TSA PreCheck it took at least 45 minutes to get through security. I was catching a 5 PM flight so maybe that’s at peak time because the airport both street and air side was packed. I had not read the details of the program so my knee jerk reaction was along the lines of “you got to be kidding me”. Have to agree 50 people more would not be significant even if they all showed up at once.

Nov 14, 2018, 1:12 pm

#20

jrl767

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)

Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K

Posts: 21,371

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randyk47

I was in and out of SEA about six weeks ago and it was a mess. ... Even with TSA PreCheck it took at least 45 minutes to get through security. I was catching a 5 PM flight so maybe that’s at peak time because the airport both street and air side was packed....

I can't speak for late afternoon / early evening lines during the week, but they're certainly not bad on Saturdays ... my biggest complaint is arriving by Link Light Rail ~9pm, checking a bag at the DL counter, and going all the way back to Checkpoint 5 (by the escalator for the train to the N gates) because that's the only location with TSA Pre

I have to agree that 50 visitors a day most likely won't have any significant impact on the TSA lines