New TSA Precheck benefit allows admission to airport gates beyond security for non-travelers
Gateside by TSA Precheck is eligible for members of TSA Precheck or people with an active Known Traveler Number for free.
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TSA Precheck now has a new benefit that allows you to go past security to meet your family and friends at their gate or grab a bite to eat or shop in the airport terminal, all without a boarding pass.
It's called Gateside by TSA Precheck and is eligible for members of TSA Precheck or people with an active Known Traveler Number (KTN) for free.
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"Gateside by TSA PreCheck is a special authorization that allows non-travelers who are eligible for TSA PreCheck screening to access parts of the airport beyond the security checkpoint," the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said.
Travelers pass under a sign pointing toward a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre-Check checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019.
(Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg / Getty Images)
To use Gateside, those with TSA Precheck need to log in one to three days before they want to access the airport terminal and apply with their KTN.
Children can be added to the reservation when applying, TSA said.
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TSA said if approved, bring an acceptable form of ID and head to the TSA PreCheck lanes at the airport.
TSA PreCheck signage is displayed at the entrance to a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles on March 23, 2026.
(Patrick T. Fallon / AFP / Getty Images)
Those using Gateside by TSA Precheck need to be prepared to log in to their dashboard to show the TSA officer their approval status if they have children on their reservation.
Gateside by TSA Precheck is currently already in 13 airports across the U.S., with more airports likely to partake in the future.
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HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 9: People make their way through Terminal A at George Bush Intercontinental Airport ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Houston, Tuesday, June 9, 2026. (
(Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle / Getty Images)
"Gateside by TSA PreCheck is the only way non-travelers can access the airport beyond security while using the TSA PreCheck lanes," TSA said.
It's the first time in nearly 25 years that people have been allowed to pass security without a boarding pass, except in rare instances when a gate pass is issued by an airline.
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The following airports are participating in Gateside by TSA Precheck:
- Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in Arizona
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Ohio
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in Michigan
- Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) in Kansas
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND) in Indiana
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Nevada
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California
- Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Arkansas
- Will Rogers International Airport (OKC) in Oklahoma
- Eppley Airfield (OMA) in Nebraska
- San Diego International Airport (SAN) in California
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Utah
KIDS Toys stand at Los Angeles International Airport, LAX, concession area in terminal 7, May 5, 2009.
(Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times / Getty Images)
TSA said availability for Gateside might be limited during peak travel times.
Millions of people are actively enrolled in TSA Precheck, which launched as a program in December 2013.
Learn more about Gateside on the TSA website, here.