TSA's New Gateside Program Lets Non-Travelers Past Security at 13 Airports

The Transportation Security Administration has launched Gateside by TSA PreCheck, a pilot program that lets approved, non-ticketed visitors pass through security to reach airport gates at 13 U.S. airports. It's the biggest loosening of post-9/11 checkpoint restrictions to date, though it doesn't remove screening itself — everyone, ticketed or not, still goes through a TSA checkpoint. Applicants need TSA PreCheck or a Known Traveler Number and must request a Gateside pass one to three days before their visit.

What Gateside Actually Changes

Launched: Early September 2026, pilot phase · Access: 13 U.S. airports · Eligibility: TSA PreCheck members or Known Traveler Number holders

Since 2001, only ticketed passengers could pass a TSA checkpoint, with rare gate-pass exceptions for unaccompanied minors or medical situations. Gateside reopens that access for a broader group, letting people greet arriving relatives, walk departing family to the gate, or shop and dine past security, as Bloomberg reported on the program's rollout.

Which Airports Are Participating

Hubs: Los Angeles (LAX), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), Harry Reid (Las Vegas), Salt Lake City · Smaller markets: San Diego, Detroit Metro, Indianapolis, Columbus (John Glenn)

The initial 13 airports mix major hubs with regional fields: LAX, DFW, Harry Reid International in Las Vegas, San Diego International, Salt Lake City International, Detroit Metropolitan, John Glenn Columbus International, Indianapolis International, Mesa Gateway in Arizona, Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National, Bill and Hillary Clinton National in Little Rock, Will Rogers World in Oklahoma City, and Eppley Airfield in Omaha, according to Newsweek's coverage of the launch.

How to Get a Gateside Pass

Lead time: Apply 1–3 days ahead · Requirement: Active PreCheck enrollment or KTN

Applications go through TSA's own portal, detailed on the agency's official Gateside by TSA PreCheck page. Approval isn't automatic — TSA caps daily participation at each airport to avoid adding congestion at checkpoints already handling record volumes.

Why TSA Is Loosening the Rules Now

Framing: Pilot, not permanent · Stated goal: Reduce daily checkpoint congestion pressure while restoring pre-9/11 conveniences

TSA has described Gateside as a controlled test rather than a nationwide policy shift, with capacity limits built in from day one. ABC News reported that officials plan to evaluate the pilot before deciding whether to expand it further.

What This Means for Families and Companions

Use cases: Greeting arrivals · Escorting departures · Airside dining and shopping

For travelers flying with elderly parents, young children, or anyone who benefits from a companion at the gate, Gateside removes a friction point that's existed for a quarter-century. TheGrio and IndianEagle's TravelBeats both note this is especially relevant for international families managing connections or medical travel, since companions can now stay with a passenger until boarding rather than saying goodbye at the curb — a detail worth knowing if you're coordinating a trip like medical travel to Kerala, where a family member typically travels alongside the patient.

Will Gateside Expand Beyond These 13 Airports?

TSA's stated plan: Expand to more airports "in the coming months"

TSA has not published a second-wave airport list, but agency statements cited by WDW News Today and KGW indicate growth is likely if the pilot holds up under real traffic volumes without adding checkpoint delays.

People also ask

What is the TSA Gateside program?
Gateside by TSA PreCheck is a September 2026 pilot letting approved, non-ticketed visitors pass through airport security to reach gates at 13 U.S. airports. It requires an advance application and still involves a full TSA screening — it loosens who can go through, not the screening itself.

Which airports offer Gateside by TSA PreCheck?
The 13 pilot airports are LAX, DFW, Harry Reid (Las Vegas), San Diego, Salt Lake City, Detroit Metro, John Glenn Columbus, Indianapolis, Mesa Gateway, Wichita Eisenhower, Clinton National (Little Rock), Will Rogers (Oklahoma City), and Eppley Airfield (Omaha).

Do I need TSA PreCheck to use Gateside?
Yes. Applicants must already hold active TSA PreCheck membership or a Known Traveler Number to apply for a Gateside pass. There's no separate standalone enrollment path for Gateside itself.

Does Gateside skip airport security screening?
No. Approved visitors still pass through a TSA checkpoint like any other person entering the secure area. Gateside only expands who is permitted to request that access without holding a boarding pass.

How far ahead do I need to apply for a Gateside pass?
TSA's guidance is to apply one to three days before your planned visit. Approval isn't guaranteed, since each airport caps daily Gateside participation to manage checkpoint volume.

Facts checked against current sources as of September 9, 2026. Program details, participating airports, and eligibility rules are subject to change — confirm current requirements on TSA's official site before planning an airport visit.