AIRFARE Act Gate Pass System

Summary#

This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to set up a system at domestic airports to speed up gate passes and flight access for caregivers, parents, and guardians who accompany minors or passengers needing assistance. It defines "caregivers," "minors" (under 18), and "passengers needing assistance" (for example, people who use wheelchairs). The TSA must implement the system within 180 days of the bill becoming law. Air carriers may offer up to two gate passes to caregivers accompanying a minor or a passenger needing assistance. Caregivers may use their existing TSA Pre-Check privileges on these gate passes by providing their Known Traveler Numbers; the gate pass must show Pre-Check status the same way a ticket would. For a passenger who uses a wheelchair, a gate pass can be issued to a caregiver only if that caregiver is the person pushing the wheelchair.

What it means for you#

  • If you are a caregiver, parent, or guardian traveling to a departing gate with a minor or someone needing help, an airline may give you up to two gate passes to go to the gate with them.
  • If you have TSA Pre-Check, you may be able to use that benefit on a gate pass by giving your Known Traveler Number; the pass should show that status like a ticket does.
  • If the passenger uses a wheelchair, the caregiver must be the person pushing the wheelchair to get a gate pass.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on expected costs, who would pay, or budget impacts for TSA, airports, or air carriers is provided in the bill text.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information on supporters' arguments or justifications is provided in the bill text or metadata.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information on opponents' arguments or objections is provided in the bill text or metadata.