Fresno Yosemite International Airport is considering a change in its security/screening policy that would allow people without an airline ticket to wait beyond the TSA checkpoint.
Imagine family members waving goodbye and children sneaking last-second hugs at the gate as a loved one boarded a flight.
Or how about hearing a rousing ovation within the terminal as members of the Central Valley Honor flight returned from a visit at the nation’s capital.
Thorpe, hired by the city in July, said the initiative could be implemented by the end of the year.
“It’s just a great element to enhance that passenger experience, customer experience,” Thorpe said in an exclusive interview with The Bee while sharing his visions of the Fresno airport. “A lot of the value in this is reminding the community that an airport is a unique place.
“It creates a love and kind of a connection with that airport. And maybe, it means they want to fly out of here more.”
Growing TSA trend at airports
But before then, non-passengers were allowed to wait within the terminal after going through Transportation Security Administration screening.
The Fresno airport wouldn’t be breaking ground by allowing nonpassengers past TSA screening and into the terminal.
Instead, it would be following a trend that’s steadily growing.
Among them are San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Kansas City International Airport (MCI).
“The good thing is this has been in practice around the country,” said Thorpe, who previously served as Chief Executive Officer at the Ontario International Airport (ONT), which also allowed nonpassengers into its terminal.
Such access gives more opportunity for people to shop and dine at restaurants located inside the airport beyond security checkpoints.
Long lines, security concerns
Details how the Fresno airport would allow nonpassengers access past TSA checkpoints still are being devised.
Other airports, meanwhile, have rolled out a gate pass program requiring individuals to receive approval.
Nonticketed guests can sign up for a gate pass online between 24 hours to seven days prior to their planned visit. In some cases, people can use a kiosk in the terminal on the day they hope to visit.
All the programs require individuals to provide their full name that appears on their Real ID or passport.
And like ticketed passengers, nonpassengers looking to step beyond TSA checkpoints are required to go through TSA screening, and provide their approved pass, plus their Real ID or passport.
Guests are not allowed to use TSA Precheck or any other security bypasses.
Some airports require non-ticketed passengers to enter through and stay in specific terminals, according to CNN.
Other airports limit the time frame when nonpassengers have access beyond security checkpoints.
Costs for those wanting a non-passenger pass to the airport is free.
But certain restrictions might have to be placed to prevent overcrowding.
“The thing that we’ll make sure that we’re careful about is you don’t clog up the TSA,” Thorpe said.
Besides potentially longer lines to get through security, there’s also concerns of security suddenly becoming too relaxed.
But just as the days of passengers removing their shoes during TSA screening have gone away, security policies have changed with more advanced technology.
“Safety and security — nothing comes before that,” Thorpe said. “There are other exciting things at the airport. … But our core responsibility is that safety and security element.”
With the potential implementation of a non-passenger pass program at the Fresno airport, the long-term hope Thorpe envisions is that the airport becomes utilized not only for travel but as a more commonplace to meet and hang out, and perhaps even conduct business meetings.
And capitalize on more and more people traveling to and from Fresno, which included nearly 2.7 million travelers through the airport in 2024.
“Whether it’s a family welcoming someone home who’s been gone for a long time, getting dinner at the airport or holding a business meeting,” Thorpe said, “an airport can help create all these different experiences for people.”