The Transportation Security Administration has scaled back its Gateside by TSA PreCheck program. It reversed a planned expansion that would have allowed trusted travelers without flight tickets to access secure airport areas at additional locations. The agency confirmed that the program is now strictly restored to its original baseline of 13 participating U.S. airports.
Launched in September, the Gateside initiative allowed eligible members to apply online one to three days in advance for a single-day pass. The pass granted access through dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes, permitting non-flying visitors to reach departure gates, greet arriving passengers at the terminal, or use airside dining and shopping facilities.
The 13 Participating Airports
Following the operational rollback, the Gateside program remains exclusively active at the following 13 facilities nationwide:
- Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) – Mesa, Arizona
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) – Columbus, Ohio
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – Dallas, Texas
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) – Detroit, Michigan
- Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) – Wichita, Kansas
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND) – Indianapolis, Indiana
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) – Las Vegas, Nevada
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – Los Angeles, California
- Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) – Little Rock, Arkansas
- Will Rogers International Airport (OKC) – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Eppley Airfield (OMA) – Omaha, Nebraska
- San Diego International Airport (SAN) – San Diego, California
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) – Salt Lake City, Utah
How the Gateside Application Process Works
Travelers wanting to use the program must complete requests entirely online via the official TSA Gateside portal using a verified Login.gov account. Key operational rules enforced by the TSA include:
- Advance Timeline: Applications must be submitted between one and three days before the intended visit date.
- Exact Data Matching: Personal information-including full legal name, date of birth, and Known Traveler Number (KTN)-must match federal enrollment files precisely to avoid automatic denial.
- Daily Capacity Limits: Participating airports enforce strict daily caps on the number of passes issued, meaning approval is not guaranteed even for qualified members.
- Verification Requirements: The TSA does not issue physical or digital gate passes. Approved visitors must present a valid government-issued photo ID at the checkpoint and be ready to display their live dashboard status on a mobile device.
Security Rules and Restrictions
While the program reintroduces a pre-9/11 convenience for families and visitors, strict federal regulations apply. Gateside visitors must undergo the exact same security screening procedures as ticketed passengers. Visitors are prohibited from using TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes and must clear through standard PreCheck lanes. Anyone who violates local or federal airport regulations-governed under 49 C.F.R. Part 1540-faces immediate pass revocation, removal from the terminal, and potential civil or criminal penalties.
The TSA stated that any future nationwide rollout will proceed through a carefully monitored phased approach, depending on the operational performance of the existing 13-airport network.
