Years ago everyone could enter the gate area to greet or send off travelers. It was nice to sit with my parents before boarding a plane. But the gate area was always so crowded with mostly people saying goodbye to or picking up travelers. Then 9/11 happened and everything changed. Security was tightened and the only ones allowed near the gate were passengers and airport personal. That's the way it is now and what people need to expect when traveling by plane. I didn't know about the special gate passes, but can imagine that if all parents with their small children traveling are requesting passes for non travelers, it will only make the security lines longer and crowds at the gate larger. I'm sorry it is difficult for you to travel but I'm glad to hear it's not so easy to obtain the passes. Security is important for everyone.

I did a little research and gate or escort passes are for people accompanying minor children who will travel alone, elderly or disabled. You can not get one at the airport, you need to call the airline ahead of time. So it sounds like the airlines were following the rules. But it is really tough traveling alone with small children!

Thank you both for sharing your thoughts.

I originally found out about gate passes in 2015 when a ticketing agent brought them to my attention. I was traveling alone with 2 kids and appreciated the extra help.

We might have been very lucky to get two gate passes that time. Or maybe things have changed over the passed couple of years.

My current understanding is that it really depends on the particular ticketing agent that you ask. Some are very lenient and happy to grant gate passes. Others are very strict.

I have only heard of gate passes once when my husband took one of mine who was traveling alone. He was very surprised and grateful although the child had done the flight many times before with us and fairly competent. It only worked at the departure end but at the arrivals end the meeting relative did get a phone call to make sure that there was someone waiting at the pick up area to meet before leaving the plane.

It would never occur to me when traveling alone to expect a gate pass, mainly because I have been dropped off at the curb and renting a car at the other end. However, I think that when you travel with young children, preparing them well is the key. I always make sure that each of them has a job (looking after the stroller, the diaper bag) as well as looking after their own carryon backpack, and explaining each stage as it is about to happen. I find that if I give them the responsibility angle it helps.

But, I won't tell about the time the TSA agent sent my 4 year old through first and then told the rest of us to wait as the 4 year old picked up backpack and started walking off who knows where with me shouting "stop that child" as I was powerless to do anything. The said 4 year old said to me when I saw him "I know where to go as I've been here before" when at last I was allowed to go through and grab a hand.

As far as I can tell about airline customer service, much of it depends on who you talk to.

You don't need to be a frequent flyer to see this. From news reports about various airline employee-customer incidents, it is clear that there is a *LOT* of inconsistent application of airline customer service policy. Flight attendants ignoring clear and present danger to passengers, other incidents where passengers are indiscriminately punished.

And this isn't really specific to the airline industry. It's depressingly common to have an almost incomprehensibly unsympathetic conversation with a customer service representative at any major company, but if you hang up and call up you might reach someone who actually cares.

The problem with airport airline agents is that you don't have much recourse in getting a second opinion. Their colleagues are standing there listening to your conversation.

Unfortunately, this is the world we live in here in 2018. So many people really don't care.

Mother of 4 - Oh no! So glad you were able to grab your four year old's hand before they went too far. Thanks for sharing the story.

Reader - Thanks for commenting and sharing your opinion. Yes, I am very grateful whenever I speak to customer service representatives that act like they care, are polite, and are truly helpful. Good point about how getting a second opinion can be a challenge at an airport ticketing counter.