Going to the airport without actually taking a flight may sound unusual, but a new TSA program is making that possible at selected U.S. airports. The program, called Gateside by TSA PreCheck, allows eligible people to pass through airport security even when they do not have a boarding pass.
That means someone may be able to walk a family member to the gate, meet an arriving traveler as soon as they leave the jet bridge, visit a friend during a long layover, or simply spend time together inside the secure part of the airport.
There is an important catch: this is not a return to unrestricted gate access. Gateside is currently available only at participating airports, visitors must qualify for TSA PreCheck screening, and approval is required before the airport visit. Travelers should therefore treat the program as an optional travel-planning tool rather than assume a friend or relative can simply show up and walk through security.
What Is Gateside by TSA PreCheck?
Gateside by TSA PreCheck is a new TSA benefit that gives approved non-ticketed visitors access to the part of an airport located beyond the security checkpoint.
For most people, airport security has effectively been the dividing line between travelers and non-travelers for decades. Family members generally say goodbye before security and meet arriving passengers in baggage claim or another public area.
Gateside changes that arrangement for certain trusted travelers. An eligible visitor can apply for a pass before the planned visit. If TSA approves the request, that person can enter through a TSA PreCheck checkpoint using acceptable identification even though there is no flight associated with the visit.
The Gateside pass itself is free. However, it is primarily intended for people who already qualify for TSA PreCheck screening or have an eligible Known Traveler Number through another trusted-traveler program.
Where Is the TSA Gateside Program Available?
The initial rollout covers 13 airports. As of September 2026, the participating locations include:
| Airport | Code |
|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport | AZA |
| John Glenn Columbus International Airport | CMH |
| Dallas Fort Worth International Airport | DFW |
| Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport | DTW |
| Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport | ICT |
| Indianapolis International Airport | IND |
| Harry Reid International Airport | LAS |
| Los Angeles International Airport | LAX |
| Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport | LIT |
| Will Rogers World Airport | OKC |
| Eppley Airfield | OMA |
| San Diego International Airport | SAN |
| Salt Lake City International Airport | SLC |
TSA has indicated that additional airports may be added as the program expands. Because participation can change, check the TSA Gateside page before building your airport plans around the service.
Also remember that some airports have separate visitor-pass programs of their own. Those programs can have different eligibility rules and may not provide access through a PreCheck lane.
How to Get a Gateside Pass
You cannot normally arrive at a participating airport and request Gateside access at the checkpoint. The program requires advance planning.
TSA says eligible visitors should apply online one to three days before the planned airport visit. Applicants use their Known Traveler Number, or KTN, as part of the process.
Once approved, the visitor receives authorization for the selected day. At the airport, the visitor goes to an appropriate TSA PreCheck screening lane and presents an acceptable form of identification. TSA may also require the visitor to show the approval status associated with the Gateside request.
The pass is generally valid for one calendar day. Same-day reentry is allowed under the program, although airport-specific operating restrictions can still apply.
Most importantly, an application does not guarantee admission. Airports can limit the number of Gateside passes, particularly when passenger traffic is heavy.
Who Can Use the Program?
The program is built around travelers who are already eligible for TSA PreCheck screening. That includes regular TSA PreCheck members and certain participants in federal trusted-traveler programs who have an eligible KTN.
For example, some Global Entry members receive TSA PreCheck eligibility and a Known Traveler Number. Those travelers may qualify even if their trusted-traveler membership is not specifically branded as TSA PreCheck.
Children may also be included when allowed under the Gateside application process. Families should enter the required child information when applying rather than assuming children can simply accompany an approved adult.
If your reason for going through security involves assisting an unaccompanied minor or a passenger who needs special assistance, check with the airline as well. Airlines have long had separate procedures for issuing escort or gate passes in certain situations, and those procedures are different from Gateside.
Why This Could Be Useful for Families
The most obvious advantage is extra time together before departure.
Imagine a grandparent flying alone and feeling uncomfortable navigating a large airport. A qualifying family member could potentially accompany that traveler through security, help locate the gate, get food, and remain nearby until boarding begins.
The program can also make arrivals easier. Instead of waiting near baggage claim, an approved visitor could meet an arriving relative near the gate. That may be particularly useful when welcoming someone home after a long absence.
Another interesting use involves layovers. Suppose a friend has a four-hour connection at DFW, but you live nearby. Gateside could allow you to meet inside the terminal without requiring the connecting passenger to leave the secure area and then go through security again.
Does Gateside Mean You Can Skip Airport Security?
No. Gateside changes the requirement for a boarding pass, not the requirement for security screening.
Approved visitors still go through a TSA checkpoint. They must follow screening rules and restrictions for items carried into the secure area. A person entering only to meet someone should therefore think about what is in a handbag, backpack, drink container, or shopping bag before heading to the airport.
For example, airport visitors should not assume that liquids or prohibited items are acceptable simply because they are not boarding an aircraft. They are still entering a controlled area through a passenger security checkpoint.
Gateside users also should not expect every PreCheck technology option to be available. TSA’s Touchless Identity lanes, for example, may have different eligibility requirements. Follow signage and directions from TSA officers at the airport.
Will This Make TSA PreCheck Lines Longer?
That is one reason TSA is limiting access rather than opening participating airports to every PreCheck member automatically.
Airports and TSA officials can control how many Gateside approvals are available. Access may become more limited during busy travel periods such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break, or particularly crowded weekends.
For actual airline passengers, this means the new program should not change the basic advice about airport arrival time. Do not arrive later simply because you have PreCheck, and do not assume the Gateside program will have no impact on checkpoint traffic.
Harry Reid International Airport, for example, continues to advise travelers to allow substantial time for security and recommends arriving about two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.
How Gateside Could Change Airport Pickup and Drop-Off Plans
Gateside gives families another option, but it does not necessarily make every airport pickup easier.
If you normally drive to the airport, meet someone at the curb, and immediately leave, going through security could actually add considerable time. You may need to park, walk to the terminal, clear security, reach the gate, and then return to your vehicle.
Parking charges can also turn a free Gateside pass into a visit that costs money. At large airports, travel between terminals can add even more time.
For a routine pickup, curbside or baggage-claim meeting may still be simpler. Gateside makes more sense when spending additional time with the traveler is valuable enough to justify parking and security screening.
When Gateside Makes Sense — and When It Probably Doesn’t
| Situation | Gateside? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Walking an older relative to the gate | Potentially useful | Provides more time to help navigate the terminal. |
| Greeting someone returning after a long absence | Useful | You may be able to meet the traveler near the arrival gate. |
| Meeting a friend during a long layover | Useful | The traveler may remain inside security. |
| Quick airport pickup | Usually unnecessary | Parking and security may take longer than meeting outside security. |
| Same-day spontaneous visit | Not reliable | Applications generally need to be submitted one to three days ahead. |
| Airport not participating in Gateside | No | Check for a separate airport visitor-pass program instead. |
What to Check Before Going to the Airport
Do not plan an emotional gate-side reunion until the authorization is actually approved. A practical approach is to keep a backup meeting point outside security.
Before leaving home, confirm that your airport still participates, your Gateside pass is approved for the correct date, you have acceptable identification, and you know which checkpoint to use.
Check the arriving or departing flight status as well. A gate can change, a flight can be delayed, and an arriving passenger may be sent to a different terminal. If you are meeting someone during a connection, verify that the layover is long enough to make the visit worthwhile.
Finally, research parking and terminal transportation. A free airport-access pass is much less convenient if you spend 30 minutes searching for parking or arrive at the wrong terminal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can TSA PreCheck members now enter every airport without a ticket?
No. Gateside is available only at participating airports. Expansion is planned, but access is not nationwide.
Is a Gateside pass free?
Yes. TSA does not charge an additional Gateside fee for eligible participants. However, costs such as airport parking still apply.
Can I just show my TSA PreCheck card at security?
No. Eligible visitors need to request Gateside access in advance and receive approval. PreCheck membership alone does not automatically provide non-ticketed gate access.
How early should I apply?
TSA currently instructs visitors to apply between one and three days before their planned airport visit.
Can I actually board a plane with a Gateside pass?
No. Gateside provides access to the secure terminal area. It is not an airline ticket or boarding pass and does not authorize air travel.
Can I bring food or bags through security?
You still must follow TSA checkpoint rules. Check TSA’s permitted-items guidance before bringing anything that could cause a screening problem.
What Travelers Should Take Away From the Change
Gateside by TSA PreCheck is a small change with potentially meaningful benefits for families and friends. For the first time in years, some non-ticketed visitors have a straightforward federal process for reaching departure and arrival gates rather than ending every goodbye at the security entrance.
But it requires planning. Participation is limited, applications must generally be made ahead of time, capacity can be restricted, and visitors still undergo security screening.
If someone important is departing, arriving, or passing through one of the participating airports, Gateside may be worth checking. Just confirm approval before changing your transportation, parking, or meeting plans. And keep a backup meeting location outside security in case access is unavailable.
References
- Transportation Security Administration — Gateside by TSA PreCheck — Official TSA information on eligibility, applications, participating airports, and Gateside access rules.
- Transportation Security Administration — Gateside Program Announcement — TSA information about the program’s rollout and participating airports.
- TSA — Acceptable Identification at the Checkpoint — Official guidance on identification accepted at TSA security checkpoints.
- Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport — Gateside by TSA PreCheck Launch — Airport guidance confirming how the program works for approved non-ticketed visitors.
- Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport — Gateside by TSA PreCheck — Airport information explaining advance applications, security screening, and visitor uses.
- Harry Reid International Airport — Security Information — Official airport information on checkpoints, operating hours, security planning, and recommended airport arrival times.