Detroit airport terminal

Detroit Airport Becomes Third in U.S. To Offer Terminal Access to Non-Ticketed Visitors

People who want to wait inside terminals for a loved one to arrive can now do so after going through the same security procedures as ticketed passengers.

  • By Haley Samsel
  • Oct 24, 2019

Three airports across the United States now allow individuals to go through security and visit certain terminals without having plane tickets. 

As of Tuesday, the Detroit Metro Airport has joined the Pittsburgh International Airport and Tampa International Airport in allowing some people to come to the airport to shop, eat and, perhaps most commonly, wait for someone to arrive or escort a loved one to their gate.

People who want this perk will have to register the day before their visit to the airport through the Detroit airport website. Once they arrive at the airport, visitors will follow the same security procedures as passengers with tickets.

From Tuesday through Sunday, the DTW Destination Pass program will be available to 75 visitors per day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at both the McNamara and North terminals. In a statement, the Wayne County Airport Authority said that it gives visitors the ability to enjoy the airport’s amenities.

“Last year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) amended its regulations, giving airports more flexibility when allowing non-ticketed visitors into the gate area," the authority said. 

The pilot will end on Jan. 5, but the airport could extend the program after evaluating how it is used and its cost to provide the service, authority spokeswoman Lisa Gass told The Detroit Free Press.

Some travelers were worried that the addition of 75 people per day could extend wait times in security lines, but Gass said that the airport does not anticipate the program “adversely impacting our traveling customers.”

“However, during peak departure times, priority in the checkpoint line will be given to ticketed passengers catching flights,” Gass said. “Issuance of passes may be suspended during these times.”

Gate-pass programs are already permanent in Pittsburgh and Tampa, USA TODAY reported. In 2017, Pittsburgh was the first airport to offer the non-ticketed visitor program and allows people to apply in person at a special counter in the terminal. In April, Tampa introduced its own program and limits the amount of non-ticketed guests to 25 people per airside. The program is also only available on Saturdays.

Seattle piloted a similar program in 2018 and is still deciding whether or not to bring it back on a temporary or permanent basis, according to USA TODAY. Airports must submit formal proposals to the TSA to amend their security plans before moving ahead with pilot programs, according to a TSA spokeswoman. The idea has picked up new momentum in 2019 and could expand to more airports next year.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Report: 47 Percent of Security Service Providers Are Not Yet Using AI or Automation Tools

    Trackforce, a provider of security workforce management platforms, today announced the launch of its 2025 Physical Security Operations Benchmark Report, an industry-first study that benchmarks both private security service providers and corporate security teams side by side. Based on a survey of over 300 security professionals across the globe, the report provides a comprehensive look at the state of physical security operations. Read Now

    • Guard Services

  • Identity Governance at the Crossroads of Complexity and Scale

    Modern enterprises are grappling with an increasing number of identities, both human and machine, across an ever-growing number of systems. They must also deal with increased operational demands, including faster onboarding, more scalable models, and tighter security enforcement. Navigating these ever-growing challenges with speed and accuracy requires a new approach to identity governance that is built for the future enterprise. Read Now

  • Eagle Eye Networks Launches AI Camera Gun Detection

    Eagle Eye Networks, a provider of cloud video surveillance, recently introduced Eagle Eye Gun Detection, a new layer of protection for schools and businesses that works with existing security cameras and infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks is the first to build gun detection into its platform. Read Now

  • Report: AI is Supercharging Old-School Cybercriminal Tactics

    AI isn’t just transforming how we work. It’s reshaping how cybercriminals attack, with threat actors exploiting AI to mass produce malicious code loaders, steal browser credentials and accelerate cloud attacks, according to a new report from Elastic. Read Now

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.