The Transportation Security Administration has launched Gateside by TSA PreCheck, a program that lets eligible PreCheck members pass through security and enter gate areas without a plane ticket at 13 U.S. airports.
The program restores a tradition that largely disappeared after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when access beyond security checkpoints was restricted to ticketed passengers. Gate-side send-offs, arrivals greetings, and layover meetups are now back on the table — for those who qualify.
How it works
To get a pass, you need a Known Traveler Number (KTN). Apply online at least one day — and no more than three days — before your planned visit. The personal information you submit must exactly match what is on file in your TSA PreCheck application: name, date of birth, and KTN. Approval is not guaranteed.
Passes are valid for one calendar day, with reentry permitted during that day. Children can accompany a parent or guardian but must be included on the adult's application. Members of other trusted-traveler programs with a KTN are also eligible to apply.
If you lack an acceptable ID at the checkpoint, TSA ConfirmID can attempt to verify your identity for a $45 fee — with no guarantee of success.
The 13 airports in the initial rollout
Los Angeles International, San Diego International, Dallas-Fort Worth International, Salt Lake City International, Harry Reid International (Las Vegas), Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, John Glenn Columbus International, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National, Indianapolis International, Bill and Hillary Clinton National, Will Rogers International, and Eppley Airfield. The TSA says it plans to expand to additional airports in the coming months.
Each participating airport sets a daily cap on passes issued. Spots around holidays will likely fill quickly.
This is not a brand-new idea. Pittsburgh International Airport launched a similar program in 2017 — the first major U.S. airport to do so — though it was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seattle-Tacoma International followed a year later, allowing up to 300 non-ticketed visitors per day. Today, 21 airports across the country have adopted some version of a guest-pass policy.
What this means for founders and frequent travelers
For anyone who logs serious miles — whether closing deals or managing a distributed team — Gateside is a small but real quality-of-life upgrade. The program rewards travelers who already invested in PreCheck, turning a sunk cost into an additional perk.
More broadly, this is what sensible deregulation looks like in practice: the government extending a benefit to a vetted, trusted group rather than applying a blanket restriction to everyone. The market signal is clear — airports that offer more amenities and smoother experiences attract more traffic and more revenue. Founders building in travel, hospitality, or airport retail should be watching this rollout closely. Where access expands, spending follows.
