Allegiant Air Charging for gate passes Rapid City South Dakota

AFTER 9-11 the TSA was created to handle security screening previously done by private companies.  One of the new rules imposed at all airports was the "ticketed passengers only" rule. This rule was imposed to ease the congestion which followed shortly after the TSA takeover. The "gate pass" was established to provide for those passengers who needed assistance-  including, but not limited to:  elderly passengers, disabled or wheelchair passengers, blind or hearing impaired passengers, and minors.

The fact that Allegiant Airlines refused to issue a gate pass in this situation is shamefull, and to try to extort money is appalling! 

Jamie- Your mother-in-law should have immediately notified the RAP airport manager  as well as the TSA supervisor on duty. 

Did you discuss this with an attorney?  I am very curious if any laws were broken here. Will you let me know?

Thanks,

Bernie Ramcke

Buckeye, AZ    dryheat21@cox.net

According to their Web Site only Children 4-11 travel as an Unaccompanied Minor. Since your daughter was 12 she is no longer a UM, and flys under the same rules as an Adult Ticket, this includes NOT issuing Gate Passes. This rule would apply to any airline and the age they determine that they are no longer a UM.

So if you want to still accompany your daughter to the gate you will have to pay the UM fee. Either on your own, or as required by the airlines policy because of her age.

Perhaps since she is a seasoned traveler, you may need to work out other arrangements. This could include her using a Cell Phone so you know she is on the plane, and staying at the airport until the plane leaves. Then make sure that the person at the arriving airport is there and have your daughter call as soon as she gets off the plane.

Why couldn't you hang around until the plane left. She could have called you when she boarded. If she was a seasoned traveller surely she could go through security herself in a small airport like Rapid City.