My friend arrives sooner than myself. My flight arrives 4.5 hours later. Can my friend come and wait for me at my arrival gate after he picks up his baggage?

I believe your friend will have to request a pass to go through security to meet you at your gate.

He will not be able to go through TSA unless he gets a pass at the ticketing area

Most likely. If he has a vehicle, he will have to wait in the cell phone parking lot and not in the terminal

Yes Sir