The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun allowing non-ticketed visitors to access airport terminals at several locations across the United States. This policy shift reverses security protocols that have been in place since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which restricted terminal access exclusively to passengers holding valid boarding passes.

Under the updated guidelines, airports may apply to participate in programs that allow individuals to pass through security checkpoints to meet arriving passengers or see off departing friends and family members. While the TSA oversees the security screening process for these visitors, individual airports are responsible for managing the logistics and ensuring that the influx of non-travelers does not compromise terminal operations or security efficiency.

Proponents of the change suggest that the move improves the passenger experience by allowing for more personal farewells and greetings, effectively restoring a level of convenience that existed prior to the heightened security measures of the early 2000s. However, the policy remains subject to airport-specific participation, meaning that not all facilities will adopt the practice. Security protocols remain rigorous, and all non-ticketed visitors must still undergo standard TSA screening procedures, including identity verification and physical inspection, before being granted access to the secure side of the terminal.