@Rousseau wrote:
Badges are issued by the airport, following federal guidelines, upon sponsorship of a firm with official business at the airport. Badges require finger printing, background checks, training and exam, and fees which vary by airport. For information on the badging process, visit the airport's website and search for badging. Don't worry about the training it is rather low level.
The key - besides not being an ax murderer - is having an MSC which not only has an established relationship with the airport but which also wishes to have you credentialed.
For the airport shops I do in Chicago, the MSC let us know they needed shoppers and they would help us getting badged. Upon letting them know I was interested, they gave me a link to the Chicago Aviation website where I had to fill out an initial application. From there, the MSC signed off on the paperwork and instructed me to get to the airport where I'd have to meet up with the sponsoring firm. Once they signed off on my paperwork, I went to the badging office. First I got fingerprinted and my picture, and after my background check, I got my badge. All I do now is go through the "employee" line, swipe my badge and verify my thumbprint, go through security, then off to do my shops.
Oh yea, it was easier getting my badge at the 2nd airport since the Aviation folks already had my fingerprints.
So far I've only had good experiences with these shops and I have two rounds coming up over the next couple of weeks.....
Silver certified (since 2009) and willing to do shops all around the greater Chicago, NW Indiana, and Southern Wisconsin areas (including airports!.