The Transportation Security Administration announced a new benefit for its most trusted travelers. Eligible TSA PreCheck members can now pass through security and enter the gate area without a boarding pass, a practice that largely disappeared after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
How the program works
Dubbed “Gateside by TSA PreCheck,” the service is free but requires an online application one to three days before the intended visit. Applicants must receive approval before arriving at the airport. Once approved, members use a TSA PreCheck lane with a valid form of identification to clear security. The gate‑access pass is valid for a single calendar day, and travelers may re‑enter the secure area multiple times on that day.
Who can apply
In addition to TSA PreCheck members, travelers enrolled in other trusted‑traveler programs who possess a Known Traveler Number are also eligible to apply for gate access. The TSA emphasizes that the program is intended for “welcome and send‑off” moments, layover visits, and the enjoyment of airport dining and shopping.
Initial rollout
The program launches at 13 airports, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Dallas‑Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City International Airport. The agency says it plans to expand the offering to additional airports in the coming months.
Why the change matters
Before the September 11 attacks, friends and family could accompany ticketed passengers to the gate. Security changes after the attacks restricted access to secure areas, making such visits impossible for most travelers. By restoring limited gate access for vetted travelers, the TSA aims to bring back a sense of normalcy and hospitality that many air‑travelers remember from earlier decades.
Official statement
“As an exclusive benefit for our most trusted travelers, this new program makes it easier to return to the gate for welcomes and send‑offs, meet friends during a layover, and enjoy dining and shopping along the way, bringing back the moments that once defined air travel,” the TSA said on its website.
The program reflects a broader effort by the agency to balance security with passenger convenience, a priority that has guided many recent TSA initiatives.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
