WASHINGTON –
It's a scene that's played out in airports across the country numerous times in the past eight years: Families and servicemembers clinging to each other, either sad to leave or happy and vowing to never let go again.
The emotion always is appropriate, but the location of the scene - just beyond the airline ticket counters and before the security checkpoint - robs the actors of precious minutes with loved ones. Those lost minutes are unnecessary, at least as far as the Transportation Security Administration is concerned, a TSA spokesman said.
"TSA permits the airlines to offer a gate pass to family members of arriving or departing U.S. servicemembers," said Greg Soule, a TSA spokesman. "Family members who want to accompany a ... servicemember being deployed to the boarding gate, or greet them [as they return] from deployment at the arrival gate may receive passes to enter the secure area of the airport."
Though TSA allows this practice, the final decision rests with the airlines, from which family members must request the passes. Each airline, and possibly even airport, has its own rules and procedures, Mr. Soule said.
According to Rich Johnson, public relations manager at San Antonio International Airport, local airlines are in charge of their gates and the decision rests with them.
"Most airlines (at SA International) allow it," Mr. Johnson said. "Family members would need to obtain a gate pass at the ticket counter."
He emphasized that family members interested in seeing a servicemember to their gate or greeting one returning from deployment should contact the local airlines to determine their rules and procedure in obtaining gate passes before arriving at the airport.
"It's an airline procedure," Mr. Soule said. "It is something that TSA has permitted the airlines to do, though we have security regulations that we provide to the airlines.
"Typically, only passengers who are flying and have a boarding pass are allowed to pass through security," he added.
TSA makes this allowance out of support for the armed forces, Mr. Soule said.
Though military family members with gate passes can pass through security, they must adhere to all security regulations. This includes removing coats, jackets and shoes, and the liquids regulation. Anything of a liquid or gel consistency must be 3.4 ounces or less and be sealed in a quart-sized storage bag to pass through security, said Mr. Soule.
Each family member would have to present the gate pass as well as a valid government-issued identification card, Mr. Soule added.
TSA doesn't keep statistics on how frequently military families take advantage of this opportunity.
The TSA has no jurisdiction overseas, so U.S. military family members wishing to see off or meet their servicemember at a foreign airport are encouraged to check with the airline for local policy. The policy on gate passes is available on the Transportation Security Administration's Web site under the heading "Accommodations for U.S. Military Personnel."