Would You Go To The Airport …Even If You Didn’t Have A Flight?

Are you a ‘terminal tourist’?

By this we mean would you come to shop and eat at an airport — even if you weren’t flying anywhere?

Some airports are offering day passes so shoppers can come hang out at specific terminals as if they were malls.

Orlando International, Seattle-Tacoma, John Wayne Airport in Orange County (California ) and Detroit Metro Aiport are just a few of the airlines with day-pass programs that so far have proven surprisingly popular.

In Orlando, the so-called visitor program, which accommodates up to 50 guests on a daily basis, allows the bearer past security at Terminal C which boasts six levels packed with food and retail stores. There’s also a ‘premium’ lounge, palm trees, large murals and easy access to the Orlando train station.

But you can’t just waltz in though; to get one of these visitor passes to go past security and enter a terminal you have to apply online up to seven days in advance, wait until you’re approved, and then receive a visitor pass via email.

If you are approved, your visitor pass will be attached to that email. Bring your visitor pass with you, and when you arrive at the TSA security checkpoint show it to the TSA agent along with your TSA-approved photo ID.

We think we’ll just stick to our local mall, thanks.