The Transportation Security Administration introduced a pilot program in September 2026 that lets certain non-travelers accompany loved ones through security and all the way to the departure gate. Called Gateside by TSA PreCheck, the initiative revives a practice familiar to many before heightened security measures took hold after 2001. Recent developments show the program has been scaled back from a broader rollout, returning to its original scope for the time being.
A Return to Familiar Airport Moments
For decades, families and friends could walk together to the gate to share final words before a flight or to welcome someone home. The Gateside program seeks to restore a version of that experience for eligible TSA PreCheck members who want to escort non-travelers past security checkpoints. Participants receive a gate pass through an application process, allowing them to proceed without a boarding pass of their own. This option remains limited to specific airports and requires advance approval through the TSA portal. The practical effect is straightforward for those who qualify. A parent can accompany a child to the gate, or a partner can see someone off without stopping at the security exit. The program operates only at participating locations and depends on the traveler holding active TSA PreCheck status.
Timeline of the Pilot and Its Adjustments
The initiative began at 13 airports in September 2026. Within weeks, the application system appeared to open access at roughly 300 locations across the country, even though the change received little public notice at the time. Users could select from the expanded list when requesting passes, and approvals were issued accordingly. Earlier this week the broader availability was withdrawn. The portal now reflects only the original 13 airports, and a representative from one participating facility confirmed that TSA had placed the wider expansion on hold indefinitely. The agency’s own site continues to indicate that additional airports will join in the coming months, though no new timeline has been released.
Airports Where the Program Remains Active
Travelers interested in using Gateside should verify current eligibility directly through the TSA application before making plans. The following airports continue to participate in the pilot:
- Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in Arizona
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) in Kansas
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- 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)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
These locations represent the current footprint while the agency evaluates next steps.
Alternative Gate-Pass Options at Other Airports
Many facilities maintain their own procedures for non-passengers who need to reach the gate. These programs typically route participants through standard security lanes rather than PreCheck lines and require separate applications or approvals at the individual airport level. Airports offering such alternatives include Albuquerque International Sunport, Cleveland Hopkins International, Kansas City International, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International, Philadelphia International, Seattle-Tacoma International, Nashville International, Palm Springs International, San Antonio International, Tulsa International, John Wayne Airport, Ontario International, Capital Region International, Tri-Cities Airport, San Francisco International, Orlando International, Shreveport Regional, and Tampa International. Rules and availability vary by location, so checking directly with the airport remains the most reliable approach.
Practical Steps for Interested Travelers
Anyone considering the program should begin by confirming TSA PreCheck enrollment and reviewing the official application portal for the most current list of participating airports. Passes are issued on a case-by-case basis and depend on the specific flight and airport policies in place. The pause in expansion does not eliminate the option at the original pilot sites, and the agency has signaled continued interest in broader availability. For families and friends who value those final moments together before departure or upon arrival, the existing locations continue to provide a meaningful service while further developments unfold.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.