The new Gateside by TSA PreCheck enables those who are eligible to go airside to dine, shop, or meet others without a flight.

Gateside by TSA PreCheck details

Starting September 1, 2026, those with TSA PreCheck or with Known Traveler Numbers (KTNs) can apply for Gateside access. Gateside access enables you to clear security at select airports without needing a same-day flight from that airport.

A few key details:

• Using Gateside requires an application 1 to 3 days in advance of when you’d like to clear security.
• Children can accompany adults, but must be included in the application referenced above.
• There is no additional cost for using Gateside.
• For now, there are only 13 airports that participate (AZA, CMH, DFW, DTW, ICT, IND, LAS, LAX, LIT, OKC, OMA, SAN, SLC). Others may join at a later date.
• When passing through security, you must show the TSA agent your ID. You may also need to show an approved digital pass if asked.
• There are a limited number of passes at each airport, and the limits can vary by airport. If the limit has been reached, you will be denied access.
• All passes are valid for one calendar day and can be used multiple times on the same day.

To be clear, you cannot just show up at the airport and assume you’ll get in without a flight. You must apply for access and it must be done at least a day in advance.

Additionally, those entering via this method cannot use the TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes. However, the regular TSA PreCheck lanes are acceptable.

If you’re looking to get TSA PreCheck, you might want to consider applying for Global Entry, which comes with TSA PreCheck added in for free.

Who would benefit the most from this?

There are a few people who would benefit from Gateside by TSA PreCheck, including those:

• Escorting a friend or family member through the checkpoint and to their gate.
• Meeting someone airside while they are on a connection.
• Welcoming arriving domestic passengers (you cannot clear immigration services to meet those on international flights that did not pass through a Preclearance Facility).
• Dining or shopping at the airport.

From a personal perspective, sometimes I drop off or pick up others at the airport who otherwise struggle with mobility. Having access to this Gateside program would enable me to escort them all the way between the car and the gate. Since I have TSA PreCheck (thanks to Global Entry), I’d be able to apply. While you can still get special access to accompany those with disabilities, in my case, I don’t like the thought of needing to wait in line for an airline agent at the airport. It’s so much easier just applying online and saving time at the airport.

This also doesn’t impact those with unaccompanied minors. If you’ve got a child who is heading out on a flight without a parent, you can get a gate pass from your airline. The U.S. Department of Transportation has a handy guide for this specific scenario.

Who doesn’t benefit from this?

Based on the rules, it might be helpful to point out everyone unable to utilize the Gateside by TSA PreCheck program, including:

• Anyone not enrolled in TSA PreCheck
• Those wanting to greet someone at the gate who is coming from an international destination and needs to clear customs and immigration
• Those wanting to greet someone at the gate after security has closed for the day
• People trying to access the airport outside of the 13 initial pilot airports
• Anyone bringing a child who was not included in the application.

I’d also like to call out that those thinking this will somehow enable them to skirt rules around things like lounge access or carry-on baggage rules aren’t going to be successful. Most lounge access requires flying with an airline to get into the lounge. Just having access airside won’t cut it to get in. On top of that, carry-on baggage rules are generally enforced at the gate, not when clearing security.

The one theoretical exception…

But since we’re talking about lounge access, there’s one potential loophole you might benefit from: if you have access to a lounge on arrival, but cannot access it because you needed to clear customs and immigration, and you have no outbound flight. In this scenario, you end up getting deposited landside with no way back airside. But could you use the Gateside program to get in the lounge? Potentially.

Your ticket might scan and allow access into the lounge based on the rules. However, the lounge attendants might question how you were able to access the lounge airside. And if you have no outbound flight, they might exercise their right to not welcome you for any reason.

We’re probably not going to stretch the rules in this way, but just wanted to point it out as thought exercise.

It took far too long to get to this point

It’s 2026, but there are still a number of antiquated rules in place for airport security. One example of this is the rule on liquids–if they’re as dangerous in the air as TSA would lead us to believe, why are all liquids dumped into bins at the security lines? Shouldn’t they be handled with care and moved away from where they might do the most damage?

But the good news is that now limited people can clear security. It makes sense to launch the program with those who have already undergone additional background and security checks via TSA PreCheck. These non-passengers should be low-risk. And while it would be nice to start with more than just 13 airports, it’s still good that progress has been made.

The real problem could be congestion at the airport, especially during busy periods. That’s why there is a limit to how many people can use the Gateside program. Controlling the crowding will be important at some airports as it could negatively impact those people who are trying to make their flights. That said, people using this program shouldn’t be bringing excessive carry-on luggage because they’re not going to be taking a flight.

Some airports in other countries already allow people access the secured area without flying. And this was a common thing to do prior to 9/11. But progress is progress. With enabling just those who are more trusted and limiting the number of people who can do it daily, it can only help, right?

Will you be using the Gateside by TSA PreCheck program?