TSA Launches Gateside Program to Allow Ticketless Airport Access for PreCheck Members

New TSA Initiative Revives Pre-9/11 Airport Tradition

The Transportation Security Administration has launched a groundbreaking program at 13 US airports that restores a tradition lost after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The initiative, called “Gateside by TSA PreCheck,” allows eligible members without plane tickets to pass through security checkpoints and enter gate areas, marking the first widespread return to pre-9/11 airport access policies in nearly 25 years. Before the 2001 attacks, people without tickets generally could accompany travelers to the gate, a practice that disappeared after sweeping security changes restricted access to secure airport areas.

TSA officials frame the program as a benefit for trusted travelers who want to recreate meaningful moments at airports.

“As an exclusive benefit for our most trusted travelers, this new program makes it easier to return to the gate for welcomes and send-offs, meet friends during a layover, and enjoy dining and shopping along the way, bringing back the moments that once defined air travel,” TSA said on its website.

The free program requires advance planning and approval before visitors arrive at the airport. Members must apply online one to three days before their planned visit and receive approval to access gate areas. If approved, they can enter through a TSA PreCheck lane with an acceptable form of identification, and the pass remains valid for one calendar day with unlimited re-entries allowed throughout that day.

Participating Airports and Expansion Plans

The initial rollout includes 13 airports across the country, selected based on factors including size, passenger volume, public population, and airport interest in the program. Major hubs such as Los Angeles International Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport are participating, along with Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City International Airport. The TSA plans to expand the program to additional airports in the coming months as the pilot phase progresses.

The complete list of participating airports includes Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas; Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport; Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska; Indianapolis International Airport; John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Columbus, Ohio; Mesa Gateway Airport in Phoenix; San Diego International Airport; Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport; and Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City.

Flexible Daily Capacity Based on Airport Traffic

Each airport’s federal security director maintains authority to adjust the number of gate passes available per day based on passenger volume and operational needs.

“During low-volume times they might allow a higher number of gate passes and then super-high volume times during the holidays they might limit to a really low number of day passes,” said Jessica Mayle, a TSA spokesperson.

TSA officials emphasize that the program will never interfere with primary screening operations for ticketed passengers.

Mayle confirmed that while the agency hopes for strong participation, the program will not become so popular that it disrupts efficient screening of passengers flying that day.

The flexible capacity system ensures security operations remain smooth while accommodating visitors who want to access gate areas for farewells, greetings, or airport amenities.

Eligibility Requirements and Application Process

TSA PreCheck members can apply for Gateside access using their Known Traveler Number through an online system. Members of other trusted-traveler programs who possess a Known Traveler Number also qualify to apply for gate access under the program. The application window opens as early as three days before a planned visit and closes as late as one day prior, giving members flexibility in their planning.

Once approved, visitors present their identification at TSA PreCheck lanes and proceed through security like ticketed passengers. The system allows multiple entries throughout the calendar day, enabling visitors to leave and return to gate areas as needed. No fees apply for the passes, making the benefit free to all eligible PreCheck members who complete the advance application process.

Airport-Specific Programs Already Operating

Several airports developed their own versions of ticketless gate access before the TSA’s national program launched. Pittsburgh International Airport pioneered the myPITpass program in 2017, though the initiative was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained on hold during subsequent construction projects at the facility. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport began a similar program a year later, allowing gate access for up to 300 people without tickets each day.

Other airports operating their own gate access programs include Philadelphia International Airport and Kansas City International Airport. These individual programs demonstrated demand for ticketless access and helped inform the TSA’s development of the national Gateside initiative. The success of these local programs provided evidence that controlled access could work without compromising security standards or operational efficiency.

Strategic Selection of Test Airports

TSA officials selected the 13 pilot airports based on multiple criteria designed to test the program under various conditions.

“DFW was just definitely a good test case,” Mayle said. “It’s a big airport. But I think there’s also a lot of fun stuff beyond the checkpoint there, and I think there might be interest from people in spending time there.”

The diverse selection includes large international hubs, mid-size regional airports, and smaller facilities to evaluate how the program functions across different airport environments. This strategic approach allows the TSA to gather comprehensive data on usage patterns, operational impacts, and security considerations before expanding Gateside to additional locations nationwide. Airport amenities such as dining options and shopping beyond security checkpoints provide additional attractions for visitors using the program.

Restoring the Airport Experience

The program represents a significant shift in airport access philosophy, balancing modern security requirements with the emotional and social aspects of air travel. Families can now bid farewell at the gate, friends can meet during layovers, and visitors can accompany nervous flyers to their departure gates. The initiative acknowledges that airports serve as more than transit points-they function as spaces where people celebrate reunions, process farewells, and share important moments.

TSA officials express optimism about the program’s potential to enhance the travel experience while maintaining rigorous security standards. The agency continues to evaluate expansion opportunities and expects to announce additional participating airports as the pilot phase progresses. By limiting access to vetted PreCheck members and maintaining flexible daily capacity controls, the TSA aims to restore a cherished tradition without compromising the security measures implemented after September 11, 2001.