We long to have a few more moments with our near and dear ones when we go to see off them at an international airport. Many Indians in the US bid goodbye to their departing family, parents, or friends from outside the airport terminal, as non-travelers can’t enter the terminal except at some airports, like Philadelphia International Airport, where visitor passes are available for non-flyers.
Deepika Jain, an Indian immigrant in New Jersey, shared with Indian Eagle how she obtained the Philadelphia Airport Visitor Pass for herself, how it enabled her to accompany her parents to the departure gate, and how she was able to lessen their pre-travel anxiety. Early this month, her visiting parents on B2 Visa traveled back to Delhi with Qatar Airways. Then, they reached home in Ahmedabad after a short stay at a family friend’s in New Delhi.
It was her parents’ first international travel to the US and first visit to her. Their long-haul travel journey to the US did not worry her as much as their return trip did, as one of her friends accompanied them on nonstop Air India flights to New York from Delhi some three months ago. They came to bless their daughters for her housewarming ceremony near Flushing, Queens where the Ganesh Temple of New York is located. Deepika’s time with them passed like a dream over the past 3 months.
“I began to feel anxious as their return travel neared. They had to fly back unaccompanied this time. I wanted to be with them as long as possible before their departure to India,” Deepika said with moist eyes. Luckily, she read about Seattle Airport Visitor Pass on Travel Beats. It propelled her to google whether Philadelphia Airport allows nonticketed visitors to enter the terminal and go past security, as she had booked their return on Qatar Airways flights from Philadelphia to Delhi for Indian Eagle’s best deals.
She discovered Philadelphia Airport’s Wingmate Guest Pass program that enables non-travelers to go through security checks, from 4 am to 10 pm, just for one day. “I could not believe PHL Airport offers visitor passes. Just knowing I could accompany them to the departure gate through TSA security checkpoints gave me peace of mind,” said Deepika Jain. She shared with Travel Beats – how to apply for the PHL Wingmate Guest Pass online.
She visited Philadelphia Airport’s website and filled out the application with her personal information, as well as a valid email ID. She had to give a reason for visiting the airport and upload a copy of her government-issued photo ID. She received a confirmation email with a QR code to her registered email ID on successful review of the application by TSA. It was that easy to get a visitor pass for Philadelphia International Airport.
Since the PHL Airport Guest Pass program was unveiled in November 2023, thousands of non-flyers have used it. You can apply for it 7 days before your planned visit. Same-day applications are likely to be rejected. The airport issues only 100 Wingmate Guest Passes every day. Those under 18 years of age can also apply, but an adult person must accompany them to the airport. You may visit with service animals. The most critical condition is that your name must match with your government-issued ID.
On the day of travel, Deepika effortlessly accompanied her parents through check-in and TSA. Since they reached the airport early, they had a meal together in the terminal. Also, she got some time to make them understand the international transit process at Doha Airport, as they were scheduled to fly with Qatar Airways. She heaved a sigh of relief while bidding them goodbye.
