TSA now lets TSA PreCheck members go past airport security without a boarding pass at 13 airports. The program is called Gateside by TSA PreCheck. It is free, you apply one to three days before your visit, and you go through the PreCheck lane like a traveler, just without a flight.

That means you can walk a parent to the gate, meet a child off a plane, or have dinner past security with a friend on a layover. Here is what the program allows, who can use it, and where it runs.

What TSA Announced

TSA rolled out Gateside with a series of local announcements on September 9 and 10, 2026, one for each airport. The Detroit release describes it this way: the benefit "allows TSA PreCheck members to request a Gateside pass, at no charge, to go beyond the TSA checkpoint at participating airports."

TSA lists four uses: accompanying family members and loved ones to the gate, greeting arriving passengers, enjoying airport dining and shopping, or experiencing the terminal without taking a flight.

Who Can Use It

TSA's Gateside page says it is for TSA PreCheck members and people with Known Traveler Numbers. The page's phrasing is "those who enjoy TSA PreCheck benefits."

Children can come too. TSA says children are eligible but must be entered on their parent's or guardian's reservation. If you bring children, be ready to show the officer your approval on your dashboard.

It costs nothing. TSA says Gateside is free.

How to Apply

TSA's page lays out the steps:

  1. Apply at TSA.gov/gateside one to three days before your planned visit.
  2. Create or sign in to a login.gov account.
  3. Enter your personal information, your Known Traveler Number, and the airport you want to visit.
  4. Submit the request and check your dashboard for the approval.
  5. If approved, bring a REAL ID or other acceptable ID and use the TSA PreCheck lanes.

Everyone who enters the secure area goes through TSA screening, the releases say. Gateside skips the boarding pass, not the security check.

The 13 Airports

TSA's page lists these participating airports:

  • Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA), Arizona
  • John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), Ohio
  • Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas
  • Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Michigan
  • Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT), Kansas
  • Indianapolis International Airport (IND), Indiana
  • Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Nevada
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), California
  • Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT), Arkansas
  • Will Rogers International Airport (OKC), Oklahoma
  • Eppley Airfield (OMA), Nebraska
  • San Diego International Airport (SAN), California
  • Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), Utah

TSA says the program "will roll out to more airports across the country in the coming months."

The Rules Once You Are Inside

TSA attaches a few conditions:

  • Availability may be limited at peak times. An approval for a busy day is not guaranteed.
  • Visitors follow the same airport code of conduct as ticketed passengers.
  • Federal rules apply. TSA cites 49 C.F.R. Part 1540 and any posted federal or local requirements.
  • Passes can be revoked. TSA says visitors may be asked to leave, lose their Gateside pass, or face civil or criminal penalties for breaking federal or local airport rules.

Why It Matters for Travelers

Gateside ties airport access to PreCheck status. If you already have PreCheck, you now have a way to meet family at the gate at 13 airports without buying anything.

It also makes PreCheck more valuable to anyone who does airport runs for relatives. Several travel cards reimburse the PreCheck application fee, and our TSA PreCheck guide covers how to apply and which cards pay for it. If you are weighing PreCheck against CLEAR, our PreCheck vs CLEAR guide sets them side by side.

Before You Go

  • Apply one to three days ahead, not the morning of.
  • Put every child on your reservation.
  • Bring a REAL ID or other acceptable ID.
  • Check your approval on the dashboard before you leave home.
  • Expect the same screening as any traveler.

For every trusted traveler program in one place, see our TSA PreCheck and Global Entry hub.

This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.

Sources

  1. TSA, Gateside by TSA PreCheck page (read 2026-09-11): eligibility, free, apply 1-3 days ahead, children on reservation, how it works, 13 participating airports, rollout to more airports, peak-time limits, code of conduct and 49 CFR 1540
  2. TSA press release, Gateside launch at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Sep 10, 2026; read 2026-09-11): pass at no charge, uses, KTN and airport selection, REAL ID, all visitors screened, 13 airports
  3. TSA press release, Gateside launch at Will Rogers International Airport (Sep 9, 2026; read 2026-09-11): same terms and airport list

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you apply through these links. This helps us keep the site running and continue creating free content.