Cars come and go at Cleveland Hopkins, as seen from the pedestrian bridge to the parking garage.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – I’m always in a hurry at the airport, rushing to catch my flight, impatient in long security lines, never with enough time to wait for Starbucks.

I decided to slow down this week and experience the airport at a different pace.

I applied for – and received – a Hopkins Hangout Pass, a new program that allows non-travelers access to the secure side of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

The vast majority of people expected to use the program will be escorting travelers, including unaccompanied minors, before departure or upon arrival.

“People have asked to accompany loved ones to gates,” said airport spokeswoman Michele Dynia. “They’re interested in squeezing one more hour into a trip that is already too short to begin with.”

"Time and Space" by Viktor Schreckengost in the terminal at Cleveland Hopkins.

I, however, had a different motivation. I simply wanted to slow down at the airport, shop a bit, maybe sample some food and drink, and generally explore the airport at a more relaxed pace than I do on frantic travel days.

Here’s how it went

This is not a program for spur-of-the-moment trips to the airport. Participants are required to apply online in advance, at least 24 hours ahead, but no more than seven days in advance.

The Transportation Security Administration must approve all applicants. And you don’t find out until the morning of your visit whether you’ve been approved (my approval email arrived at precisely midnight on the day of my visit).

It should be noted that before the Hangout Pass, non-travelers could and still do pass through security without a ticket, but it requires airline permission and is typically granted for the specific purpose of accompanying a traveler to the gate. I did this myself a few years ago, when my mother was flying back to Cleveland from Florida by herself, and I wanted to meet her at the gate.

A Southwest jet prepares to take off at Cleveland Hopkins.

This new system, however, is presumably more flexible and easier to use.

The sign said 10 minutes or less; I waited 25 minutes in the TSA line at Cleveland Hopkins.

The application is straightforward: Four days before my airport visit, I typed in my name, email address, day of visit and reason for visit, then uploaded my driver’s license. Then I waited.

Visits are restricted to the hours of 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., to avoid the early morning rush at the airport.

The airport has capped the number of hangout passes at 100 per day, although there hasn’t been that much demand yet. During the program’s first week, the airport received and approved approximately 20 applicants per day, according to Dynia.

Day at the airport

When I arrived at about 11 a.m., signs in the terminal indicated the wait at both the North and South checkpoints was less than 10 minutes. I queued up in the South line and set a timer on my phone – 25 minutes until I reached the agent.

Historic photos line the hallway to concourse A at Cleveland Hopkins.

Unfortunately, Hangout Pass visitors are not allowed to use TSA PreCheck or CLEAR programs to expedite security. At least I didn’t have to take off my shoes.

I handed the TSA officer my driver’s license and phone, which displayed the electronic Hangout Pass. He checked my name against a piece of paper in front of him, and I was on my way.

Once through security, the airport was my oyster: Where to first?

I could turn left, toward concourse C, go straight into concourse B or turn right into concourse A. I ended up traversing all three, exceeding my step goal for the day.

At my first stop, I studied the electronic signage detailing Hopkins history and Hall of Fame inductees, including Claude F. King, who invented the first airport control tower in 1930 in Cleveland; Joseph M. Rababy, who operated several concession stands at Hopkins, starting in the early 1980s; and William R. Hopkins, Cleveland’s first city manager and airport namesake.

I also perused historic photos lining the walkway to concourse A, celebrating Hopkins’ 100th anniversary this year; studied the juvenile T. Rex model on display in concourse C; and inhaled the intoxicating smells of Cinnabon in the food court.

I watched a handful of planes take off and land, shopped at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Store and grabbed lunch at the Shake Shack, where I received a free order of French fries (with a sandwich purchase) just for being a Hangout Pass visitor. In addition to Shake Shack, three other vendors are also offering discounts to promote the new program: Great Lakes Brewing is offering 15% off dine-in food orders, Quaker Steak and Lube is giving 10% off, and Inca Tea is offering buy-one, get-one-free coffees.

A model of a juvenile T rex on display in concourse C at Cleveland Hopkins.

On my way out, I studied the Viktor Schreckengost piece “Time and Space,” commissioned in 1955 and recently reinstalled in the ticketing area.

Would I do it again? If it gave me an extra hour or two with one of my kids, absolutely. Just to hang out? Probably not.

After all, the experience wasn’t free — I paid $21 to park in the garage for about 2 ½ hours. Still, I can think of worse ways to spend a few hours and a few bucks.

Hopkins Hangout Pass: If you go

When: Passes are available any day, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. You can arrive anytime between those hours.

How long: Visits are limited to six hours or less (although it’s unclear how this will be enforced).

An interactive timeline showcases Hopkins' history through the years.

When to apply: You must apply at least 24 hours ahead of your visit and no more than seven days in advance.

What to bring: Pass holders are permitted a small personal item only — leave your luggage at home. And don’t forget your ID.

Cost: The pass is free, although you’ll likely have to pay for parking.

Minors: Visitors under the age of 18 can apply for a Hangout Pass, although they must be accompanied by an approved adult. One adult can be accompanied by as many as three minors.

How often: Guests may apply for a pass up to three times within a 30-day period.

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