Gate Passes for Guests
 

I will be travelling through both SEA and DFW in the coming weeks, and have quite a bit of time awaiting connections.

How difficult is it to get a gate pass for a guest to join me for dinner at one of the airport resturants?

I don't know much about DFW, but I don't think SEA has anyplace outside of the sterile area to sit and chat... Ideas?

Thanks!!
Jace

PS: I'm flying AS to SEA and connecting onto AA to DFW...

There are a few restaurants and bars outside of security in SEA. That said, however, I'm unsure if an airline would be necessarily forthcoming in allowing a pass to be given simply so someone could have a meal with a passenger.

Mike

I would not worry about it too much, I have never had a problem with an airline (NW in my case) issuing a gate pass. One thing I usually do is walk out of security and go up with the person to the check in desk. If you have status, might be a good time to flash that card as well. :)

Oh I just wanted to add. Usually I just say can you issue a gate pass for my friend. If they ask questions, I usually say something like "I want to meet with her at the Worldclub". The last time I did this, I the check in agent just laughed because we were both standing there in jeans and t-shirts (getting ready to head to France).

A "meeting" at the lounge -- if you are a lounge member and a "meeting" can be scheduled, preferably at no charge -- is still an option. The refundable ticket path also works to get airside at both.

Who needs a gate pass (as GUWonder implied)?

The person who's meeting you should buy a first class international ticket. Then they can also chill in whatever first lounge there is for the airline, and get a refund after. :)

At DFW, there's nothing inside any of the terminals outside security, but if you can't get the pass, you can dine at one of the on-airport Hyatt hotels. I'd suggest the new one by Terminal D.