The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is introducing a new program that will allow some travelers to pass through security checkpoints and access airport gates without a plane ticket. The initiative, named Gateside by TSA PreCheck, marks a significant alteration to post-9/11 airport security protocols.
Eligible TSA PreCheck members can apply for this free benefit, which permits them to accompany travelers to the gate, meet those on layovers, or patronize airport dining and retail establishments. "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 stated on its website.
Approved visitors will not receive a boarding pass. Instead, they will use their TSA PreCheck credentials and a valid ID to clear security via a PreCheck lane. This access is valid for a single day, with the possibility of re-entry on the same day if needed. The program is slated to launch at 13 airports initially, including Los Angeles International Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Airports may implement limits on the number of Gateside visitors during peak times, meaning approval is not guaranteed. The TSA's decision to ease certain security restrictions appears to be linked to advancements in screening technology and a reassessment of current security threats, according to an internal memo from July 2025. This development comes nearly 25 years after the September 11 attacks, which led to a widespread overhaul of airport security measures, including the creation of the TSA and stricter controls on access to secure areas. Before 2001, it was common for individuals to escort passengers to their gates or greet arriving passengers at the gate.
Reactions on social media indicate a divided response among frequent travelers. Some expressed nostalgia for the pre-9/11 era when meeting loved ones at the gate was standard. Others voiced concerns about increased congestion in already crowded gate areas. One user recalled a past airport bar business that suffered after gate access was restricted post-9/11. Additionally, Good Morning America has reported that the TSA is considering changes to its liquid rules for TSA PreCheck members, potentially allowing them to carry water bottles through security.
