TSA Lets Some PreCheck Members Reach Airport Gates Without Tickets

For the first time in nearly 25 years, some U.S. airports will allow people without plane tickets to pass through security and reach departure gates. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced a pilot program called "Gateside by TSA PreCheck," available initially at 13 airports, including Los Angeles International, Dallas-Fort Worth International, Harry Reid International in Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City International.

The program is open to TSA PreCheck members and travelers enrolled in other trusted-traveler programs who hold a Known Traveler Number. Applicants must submit a request online one to three days before their planned visit and receive approval before arriving at the airport. Once approved, they can use a TSA PreCheck lane with valid identification. The pass is valid for a single calendar day, and visitors may re-enter the secure area that day.

TSA describes the initiative as an exclusive benefit for its most trusted travelers, allowing them to welcome arriving passengers, see off departing friends, meet companions during layovers, and access airport dining and shopping. The agency says it intends to expand the program to additional airports in the coming months.

The change marks a return to a practice common before the September 11, 2001, attacks, when non-passengers could accompany travelers to the gate. In the aftermath of the attacks, airport security restrictions barred such access to secure zones. The new pilot is part of broader efforts to enhance passenger experience while maintaining security protocols.