Southwest Airlines made the headlines in August 2014 when 85-year-old Alice Vaticano missed her flight from Newark to Denver because a wheelchair attendant left her somewhere between the check-in counter and her gate. Air Canada found itself in hot water in June 2014 when an attendant left famed violinist Itzhak Perlman and all of his baggage on a scooter at an elevator en route to Toronto Pearson International Airport's Passport Control area.

While no one should be left alone by a wheelchair attendant, ever, these two cases highlight the benefits of getting an airport escort pass and point out some of the drawbacks of our current airport security protocols. In Alice Vaticano's case, a family member or friend could have accompanied her all the way to her gate by obtaining an escort pass from Southwest. Itzhak Perlman, on the other hand, was completely dependent on his airport-provided attendant because he had not yet cleared Passport Control. Someone was waiting for him at the Passport Control exit, but could not get an escort pass and meet Perlman at his arrival gate.

Escort passes can't resolve all problems, but they do allow family members to take their minor children, grandchildren, and relatives with mobility issues or disabilities to their departure gates. Some airports and airlines will issue escort passes that allow you to meet incoming passengers at their arrival gates.

What Is an Escort Pass?

An escort pass is very similar to a boarding pass.

An airline employee at the check-in counter can issue an escort pass to someone with a government-issued photo ID who wishes to accompany a minor child or grandchild or a person with a disability, age-related or not, to a departure gate or to meet that person at a domestic arrival gate. Escort passes are not issued for incoming international flights, due to customs and immigration regulations.

Escort pass holders must clear airport security, complying with the same restrictions and requirements an airline passenger would face.

Who Needs an Escort Pass?

Anyone taking a child, grandchild, older relative or friend or a relative or friend with a disability to an departing flight or who is meeting that person should consider requesting an escort pass. Note: Passengers arriving from another country will have to go through Customs and Immigration, and an escort pass will not give you access to that part of the airport. If your loved one or friend needs extra assistance clearing Customs, consider arranging for a wheelchair attendant to meet him or her at the arrival gate.

How Do I Get an Escort Pass?

It's usually easy to get an escort pass. Simply go with your relative or friend to the check-in counter, request a pass and present your photo ID.

You can call ahead to get information, but you will probably be told that issuance of escort passes is determined locally, at each airport, by each airline.

Where Can I Go With an Escort Pass? Where Can't I Go?

If you are taking someone to the airport, your escort pass will allow you to go through airport security screening with your loved one or friend and accompany that person to the departure gate. If you are picking someone up from a domestic flight, you will need to go through airport security before meeting that person at his or her arrival gate.

You won't be able to go to the Customs and Immigration hall if you are picking up a passenger.

What Happens if I Can't Obtain an Escort Pass?

You may not be able to get an escort pass when you get to the airport. Plan ahead for this possibility.

If your friend or loved one needs wheelchair assistance, call the airline(s) in question and ask for wheelchair service at least 48 hours in advance. Important: Be sure to mention that your loved one or friend is elderly, has a disability or is a minor.

Provide your friend or family member with a preprogrammed cell phone and demonstrate how to use it. Include emergency contact numbers, airline ticketing telephone numbers and your own contact information. Be sure to provide the number for the airport police. Write out the steps to call for emergency assistance and give them to your family member or friend. 

When you arrive at the departure airport, park your car and accompany your family member or friend to the check-in counter; make sure a wheelchair attendant is ready to assist before you leave the terminal. Monitor the flight's progress online to be sure the airplane has departed on time.

If you are meeting someone at the airport and cannot get an escort pass, station yourself as close as possible to the arrival gate and wait. Contact the airline and the airport police if your loved one or friend does not arrive in a reasonable amount of time, particularly if you notice the arrival of other passengers from the same flight.