eeflyer

Oh yes, agreed on TBIT!

I'm wondering how they could possibly prioritize ticketed passengers, perhaps separate lines? Furthermore, I'd guess that trusted travelers won't be able to get through precheck on a pass like this.

N830MH

Folks,

Please stay on your topics, but we are not talking about sexual assaults on minors or anybody else. Let stay on your topics. We are talking about non-ticketed passengers go beyond at security. So please do not talk about TSA or anybody else.

VelvetJones

I lived in Pittsburgh when the new airport opened and I could never understand why anyone in their right mind would ever go to the airport to shop. Granted, the west side of the metro area was not as build up as it is today, but still, there was far better options then the airport. Even prior to 9/11 security was still a PITA and not something most people would endure just to shop. As other posters have said, this will likely only be used by family to meet or send off their friends and relatives.

gobluetwo

I think this is probably the most common scenario, although those same folks may shop/eat while waiting. Could also be folks who swing by to meet colleagues or clients for brief face-to-face meetings. And, of course, the rare individuals with an Admiral's Club membership who decide it's worth it to go there every day to eat for free in the lounge...

jkhuggins

From a different news article:

I have a vague memory that the latest major remodel at PIT in the late 90s had as its intention that the airport would double as a shopping destination as well as an airport. My memory is that the concourses were much wider than for other airports of the time, specifically because they were anticipating and hoping to promote wider traffic.

And then, (1) 9/11 happened, restricting concourses to ticketed passengers, and (2) USAir pulled out of Pittsburgh as a hub, which drove traffic through those concourses down substantially. I'm sure they've been trying to find ways to reverse that.

MrAndy1369

I thought this wasn't new at all? IIRC, PIT always had an option for non-ticketed passengers to go through security to the mall. I could be misremembering, though.

VelvetJones

There most definitely was. You didn't need any special pass, just walk up to security and go through. Remember, there was no board pass checking prior to 9/11.

Often1

It's a novelty for lots of people to visit an airport. Not everyone flies constantly and therefore avoids airports like the plague when they don't have to travel.

People will take their kids, have a meal, do some shopping and won't mind or find problematic any of the concerns that a very small minority of people have about checkpoints.

And if they do, they are free to head elsewhere.

WillCAD

Even those who are not as disgusted and revolted by TSA screening as those of us in the TSS forum are unlikely to regard a shopping trip to Hugo Boss, Armani Jeans, or Bar Symon to be worth the hassles involved with:
* Standing in line at a counter to be vetted
* Standing in line with travelers at the c/p
* Disrobing
* Forgoing water bottles, pocket knives and multitools, any t-shirt, jewelry, or other accouterments vaguely resembling firearms or ammunition (and in some cases, legally carried firearms)
* Being yelled at and treated like an imbecile
* Passing through the WTMD and WBI
* Being groped by surly, uniformed strangers
* Having personal possessions confiscated
* Watching spouses and minor children endure all of the above

It's a lot to go through for a shopping trip to fairly expensive stores or an overpriced airport lunch, particularly when you factor in the drive to the airport and the cost of parking. And remember - this will only be allowed from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, when most people are at work and can't take the time for a 'quick' jaunt to the airport.

I don't expect this program to go over like gangbusters. There will be longer lines at the PearStore for the next PearPhone.

petaluma1

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...901-story.html

VelvetJones

I would like to seem some concrete extrapolations of their numbers. Number of terrorist caught by the TSA since its founding: ZERO. So what is this increase they speak of?

dorisrpas

One GA I talked to about this wondered if that will require 100% ID check with boarding pass when boarding every flight? As someone in over 250 domestic airports every year, this is not a change I would like to see system wide. I remember the crowded airports pre-911, and with even more people traveling now I can only envision the potential chaos at the gates, long lines for vendors, and even more crowding in the clubs. Hopefully I'll be retired before it comes to that.

SpinOn2

Oh I certainly hope not, or you can guarantee even more delays. GA's have a hard enough time getting international travelers to be prepared with their passports open when boarding, imagine if it was extended to all flights. Just imagine all the people holding up the line who misplaced their ID's etc.

dorisrpas

She said, how else are we supposed to insure non-traveler didn't switch places with traveler after thru security?

Boggie Dog

If they are screened who cares?

Doesn't that exact situation exist today given that TSA refuses to conduct 100% screening of airport workers?