I've been to almost every major airport, and several regional ones, in the continental United States and I can't remember a single baggage claim area for domestic flights that wasn't open to the public. Just this past weekend: Boston and San Francisco, both open to the public.
My favorite airport was Long Beach; it's been ~9 years, but last time I flew in the baggage claim conveyor belt was literally outside at the curb. (And this is why that place rocked. The expansion has likely since ruined all the little conveniences of LGB.)
Once upon a time some baggage areas had security which would spot-check claim tickets before you could leave the baggage area. That was mostly pre-9/11, though, when checking in your bags could be easier than leaving with them. Some major airports have [now] uselessly annoying barriers to baggage claim areas for that purpose.
PIT is open as well. Generally wherever I fly is someone is meeting me they meet me at the luggage claim.
Not sure how it could be any other way. After all you can pack weapons in checked bags, so once you are at checked baggage you are already beyond the security perimeter.
Use one way doors like pretty much any airport in Europe. Once you go to baggage you can’t go back to the main airport. But you are still not in a public area.
My favorite airport was Long Beach; it's been ~9 years, but last time I flew in the baggage claim conveyor belt was literally outside at the curb. (And this is why that place rocked. The expansion has likely since ruined all the little conveniences of LGB.)
Once upon a time some baggage areas had security which would spot-check claim tickets before you could leave the baggage area. That was mostly pre-9/11, though, when checking in your bags could be easier than leaving with them. Some major airports have [now] uselessly annoying barriers to baggage claim areas for that purpose.