The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has scaled back its Gateside by TSA PreCheck program. The agency returned the visitor-pass initiative strictly to its original 13 pilot airports following a brief and unexpected expansion to hundreds of locations.
The initiative lets eligible individuals without flight tickets pass through security checkpoints. Visitors can use it to reach departure gates, meet arriving passengers, or access terminal restaurants. The TSA is currently evaluating the program for operational impacts. According to its official website, participation is once again limited to the initial cohort of airports.
What Prompted the Scale-Back
Launched in early September 2026, Gateside initially debuted across 13 regional and major hubs. In early October, the application portal briefly expanded to include approximately 300 additional U.S. airports. However, by mid-October, the list was quietly reduced back to the original baseline without a public announcement or formal explanation from the agency.
Airport officials across the country confirmed the sudden reversal. Denver International Airport stated that the TSA had returned operations exclusively to the original participating locations. Meanwhile, representatives from the Norfolk Airport Authority in Virginia reported that the broader rollout had been placed on hold indefinitely. They noted that 31 individuals had successfully used Gateside passes during the brief window the airport was listed.
A TSA spokesperson did not respond to media inquiries regarding the reasons for the sudden contraction or a timeline for when a wider rollout might resume. The agency’s official online portal continues to state that the program will expand to more locations in the coming months, but current applications are restricted.
The 13 Participating Airports
As part of the operational assessment phase, non-ticketed visitor passes can only be requested for the 13 original pilot airports:
- Phoenix-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
- 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 Program Functions
Designed for TSA PreCheck members and other holders of a valid Known Traveler Number (KTN), Gateside bridges a post-9/11 security gap. It allows verified individuals into secure terminal sterile areas without boarding passes. The application process requires adherence to specific protocols:
- Advance Application: Travelers must submit requests online via the TSA portal between one and three days prior to their planned visit.
- Screening Requirements: Approved visitors must clear security using designated standard TSA PreCheck lanes, present an acceptable photo ID, and remain subject to standard prohibited-item regulations.
- Pass Duration: Approvals are valid for one calendar day, allowing single-day entry and reentry.
- Daily Caps: Participating airports maintain strict daily limits on the number of issued passes. Approval is not guaranteed even for eligible applicants.
Travelers planning to use the program should verify their approval status live on the TSA portal dashboard immediately before heading to the airport. Screening personnel do not accept screenshots or printouts.
Alternatives for Non-Ticketed Visitors
The restriction of the federal Gateside program does not impact independent visitor-pass programs operated individually by various U.S. airports. Facilities such as Pittsburgh International, Tulsa International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Tampa International manage their own localized gate-access programs.
These independent programs have distinct application rules. They do not require TSA PreCheck membership and generally route approved non-ticketed visitors through standard security screening checkpoints rather than PreCheck lanes. Anyone looking to accompany loved ones to an airport gate should consult their local airport’s website to determine current accessibility options.
