Airport guides

Another airport adds a gate pass program. Yay!!

Airport guides,

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is launching a gate pass program.

The new SAT Pass lets non-ticketed visitors pass through security to greet arriving passengers post-security or go with a departing passenger to the gate.

Applying for the pass is easy. Guests can go online to request a pass at least 24 hours in advance. If the request is approved, a QR code is sent that allows access through the TSA security checkpoint.  

“This pass is designed for anyone who wants to spend additional time with a traveler,” said Tonya Hope, Public Relations Manager at San Antonio International Airport. “We feel Valentine’s week is the perfect time to launch this free new service.

The SAT Pass program is up and running and allows up to 50 approved non-ticketed visitors to go past security each day.

To apply, sign up on the San Antonio International Airport (SAT) website.

It would be lovely to use the SAT Pass program to surprise a loved one as they get off the plane or to go with them through security so you can spend some extra time before they get on their flight.

But you might also get a SAT Pass to explore the airport on your own.

SAT has a great selection of public art, live music and temporary exhibitions. One of our favorite pieces is Sunrise Wheel, a 1995 sculpture by the Art Guys (above).

Other airports with gate pass programs

San Antonio International Airport (SAT) is the latest airport to introduce a gate pass program for non-ticketed passengers. Here is a list of other airports that offer gate pass programs as well.

Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA): SEA Visitor Pass Program

The MSY Guest Pass Program at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY),

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW): DTW Destination Pass

Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Lansing, MI: the LAN Visitor Pass,

Flint Bishop Airport (FNT) in Flint, Michigan: FNT Visitor Pass program

OC Air Pass at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, CA,

ONT+ Visitor Pass Program at California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT)

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP): PSP Stay and Play Pass

Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco, WA offers the PSC Pass

Philadelphia International Aiport offers the PHL Wingmate Pass

Tulsa International Airport (TUL): TUL Visitor Pass Program

Orlando International Airport (MCO): Experience MCO Visitor Pass

Nashville International Airport (BNA): BNA PASSport

Let us know if we missed any. And let us know if you’ve used the pass to visit an airport.

RDM: 5 Things We Love About Oregon’s Redmond Municipal Airport

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Oregon’s Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM), located in the heart of Central Oregon, is the state’s 3rd largest airport and is served by 5 airlines: American Airlines, Alaska Air, Avelo Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines.

Travelers can fly non-stop from here to Burbank, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, and Seattle. 

Stuck at the Airport stopped by for a visit and spotted (more than) 5 Things to Love About Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM).

1: Compassionate Therapy Dogs

Compassionate Canines Certified Therapy Dog Teams are often on duty in the ticketing, baggage, and gate areas of the terminal.

2. Art at RDM

For a small airport, RDM has a lot of art.

Look for temporary art installations and lots of permanent art pieces, including the hard-to-miss section of a Western Juniper tree by the TSA checkpoint. Common in the high desert of Central Oregon, this juniper tree is thought to be more than 500 years old.

Learn more about the art at Redmond Municipal Airport here.

3. Sasquatch

Central Oregon is prime Bigfoot (or Sasquatch)-hunting country. And the Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) is probably the only place you are assured of spotting the elusive creature.

When RDM’s Sasquatch sculpture first moved in, he was carrying a pink suitcase. These days he’s helping the airport get ready for its terminal expansion project.

4. RDM’s “FLYBRARY”

Take a book, leave a book

RDM has two locations for its “Flybrary” – one post-security and one in the bag claim area – where passengers are encouraged to leave a book that they’ve finished and take a new one left by another traveler or supplied by the airport.

5. Play areas for kids

Like a lot of airports, Redmond Municipal Airport has play areas for kids. A nice bonus here is that in addition to the post-security play area, RDM has a good-sized play area in the bag claim area. We spotted these kids having a great time in the toy helicopter.

Bonus: Sasquatch and Yeti Poo

We’re not sure why, but locally-themed souvenir ‘poo’ (usually chocolate-covered nut) is a big seller in airport gift shops.

At Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) Sasquatch and Yeti Poo – here it’s cotton candy – is one of the top sellers.

New Zealand’s Christchurch Airport lights up

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In New Zealand, the appearance of a group of stars named Ngā mata o te ariki Tāwhirimātea (Matariki) in the winter night sky marks the traditional beginning of the Māori new year.

This year those stars are set to appear on July 14 and New Zealand’s Christchurch International Airport (CHC) is marking the beginning of the Māori new year by lighting up the terminal and the Airways New Zealand tower.

More cool amenities at Christchurch Airport

In addition to some great art inside and around the terminal, which travelers can discover on this handy art trail map, Christchurch Airport has outdoor ping pong tables on its plaza and themed jet bridges.

The Stuck at the Airport team hasn’t seen these themed jet bridges in person – yet – but we love the idea.

According to the airport, each themed jet bridge features floor to ceiling imagery of a special southern landscape, accompanied by the scene’s distinctive sounds and scents. Scents!!!

The themes are updated every so often with new sights, sounds and smells. But current themes include the Mackenzie Night Sky, West Coast, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman, Fiordland, a Canterbury sheep farm, Mackenzie country, Christchurch Adventure Park and a Marlborough vineyard.

Some of the other amenities we’re looking forward to exploring at Christchurch Airport include the coloring wall and the complimentary Mini Explorer Activity Books.

We’re also intrigued by ‘Spitfire Square,‘ which is a short walk from the airport terminal and home to a fitness center, a hair salon and a pharmacy.

Another airport adds a gate pass program

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A growing number of airports make it easy for the non-traveling public to get visitor passes to the secure side of the passenger terminal.

That makes it possible to meet arriving friends and family at the gate or to spend more time with someone before they board a flight.

It also means that you don’t need to be flying somewhere to check out a new terminal, tap your toes to the live music at the airport, see some great art, do a little shopping, or spend time watching planes take off and land.

Each airport has its own name for the service and its own rules regarding how many non-ticketed visitors are allowed to be issued a pass each day they are offered. And at each airport that offers the service, passengers must still go through the security checkpoint.

The list of airports offering this great airport amenity includes:

Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA): SEA Visitor Pass Program

The MSY Guest Pass Program at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY),

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW),

Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Lansing, MI: the LAN Visitor Pass,

the OC Air Pass at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, CA,

and the ONT+ Visitor Pass Program at California’s Ontario International Airport (ONT).

New to the list: Washington’s Tri-Cities Airport

Now more – and smaller – airports are joining the list.

The latest is the Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco, WA.

For now, only 10 visitors are able to get a PSC Pass each day. And each visitor may request just one visit per month. But, as with the other airport gate pass programs, it allows non-travelers to surprise an arriving passenger at the gate or send someone off at the gate with a last-minute hug.

Did we miss an airport with a gate pass program? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list.

IND: 5 (More) Things We Love About Indianapolis International Airport

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Stuck at The Airport’s “5 Things We Love About…” series revisited Indianapolis International Airport (IND) recently and found 5 more things to love.

This Madame Walker Mural

This mural by Tasha Beckwith honors Indianapolis hair-care entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, who is credited as being the first female self-made millionaire in America.

These Lounge-Like Chairs

These powered privacy chairs are usually seen in airline lounges. At IND you’ll find them in a gate hold area.

This Free Pop-a-Shot Basketball Game

At IND’s pre-security Civic Plaza, the Indiana Pacers Courtside Club celebrates the local Indiana Pacers basketball team. Adjacent to the restaurant is a free pop-a-shot basketball game.

This Bookstore

Airport concessionaire Hudson does a nice job with its Ink-branded shop selling books, magazines, and gifts in IND.

These Cute and Corny Souvenirs

Souvenir shopping is one our favorite things to do at airports. IND shops don’t disappoint.

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