California airport mulling sweeping change that was stamped out after 9/11

Tearful gate-side goodbyes are making a comeback.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport is weighing a massive security shakeup that could let visitors breeze straight past TSA — no plane ticket required.

For nearly a quarter-century post-9/11, emotional send-offs and gate-side reunions were completely banned under federal security mandates. Only ticketed travelers holding a boarding pass could step foot beyond the metal detectors.

Mark Thorpe, Aviation Director for the City of Fresno, wants to tear those barriers down.

“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, an airport can help create all these different experiences for people,” Thorpe told the Fresno Bee in an interview.

California is currently leading the nation with Ontario International Airport (ONT), San Diego International (SAN), Palm Springs International (PSP) and San Francisco International (SFO) already operating non-passenger access programs.

Thorpe said that the move could elevate the passenger experience and remind 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,” he added.

Before moving to Fresno, Thorpe served as Chief Executive Officer at the Ontario International Airport (ONT), which already has a similar provision in place.

The aviation director said that expanding post-security access will allow visitors to dine and shop alongside departing travelers, generating revenue for the airport while granting loved ones extra time together before flights.

Flooding terminals with non-ticketed guests could potentially strain TSA staffing, inflate checkpoint wait times and compromise the carefully controlled post-9/11 security perimeter.

“Safety and security — nothing comes before that. There are other exciting things at the airport. … But our core responsibility is that safety and security element,” Thorpe told the news outlet.

Pittsburgh International Airport became the first major U.S. airport in 2017 to allow public access to gates. As of June 2026, 21 US airports allowed non-ticketed visitors to obtain a pass to go through airport security and into the terminal without paying a dime.

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