The question is more - how hard is it to get airside without a pass?
Depends. Did you fly in with a random unlocked Cessna from a remote field?
Really funny when you see a random rural airport with an unattended gate with a sign on it telling you the code is "SQUAWK VFR" and you just look at the crusty keypad and slap 1200 in like everyone else before you did on the rubbed-off 1, 2, and 0 keys.
Interesting take on things - of course “outside” airside was protected by locked doors, so passengers couldn’t just wander onto the apron… but all you’ve got to do to get outside these days is to book with the sort of airline that’s too cheap to pay for a proper stand and makes you walk to the plane (and accidentally walk the wrong way, etc)…
Another question on my mind is - how hard is it to land a job with an airside pass nowadays if your intention is to just get physical access to an aeroplane ? Pretty easy back then. Not sure about now…
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You'd have to build many more barriers and gates to stop that, which would be awkward for baggage systems, fuelling, and general maintenance.
The question is more - how hard is it to get airside without a pass?
I once went in through the main arrivals exit doors at Heathrow. I'd forgotten something so I went in, got it, came out again.
It was a stupid thing to do, but I wasn't arrested, stopped, or anythinged.
This was before 9/11 so I doubt you could do it today. But even so.
Depends. Did you fly in with a random unlocked Cessna from a remote field?
Really funny when you see a random rural airport with an unattended gate with a sign on it telling you the code is "SQUAWK VFR" and you just look at the crusty keypad and slap 1200 in like everyone else before you did on the rubbed-off 1, 2, and 0 keys.
Interesting take on things - of course “outside” airside was protected by locked doors, so passengers couldn’t just wander onto the apron… but all you’ve got to do to get outside these days is to book with the sort of airline that’s too cheap to pay for a proper stand and makes you walk to the plane (and accidentally walk the wrong way, etc)…
Another question on my mind is - how hard is it to land a job with an airside pass nowadays if your intention is to just get physical access to an aeroplane ? Pretty easy back then. Not sure about now…