The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has brought
back gateside access for select non-traveling individuals, the agency has
announced.
Thirteen airports currently offer the program, dubbed
Gateside by TSA PreCheck, with more in the pipeline. TSA PreCheck members and
other members of programs with Known Traveler Numbers, such as Global Entry,
are eligible for the passes, which are free.
Interested individuals can apply through a login.gov account.
They should apply at least one day before the needed pass, but no more than three
days prior. If approved, the individual will need to bring an acceptable form
of ID to the TSA PreCheck lane.
The 13 participating airports include those in Mesa, Ariz.,
Columbus, Ohio, Dallas Fort Worth, Detroit, Wichita, Indianapolis, Las Vegas,
Los Angeles, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Omaha, San Diego and Salt Lake City.
The government created TSA and its stricter security
requirements after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, 25 years ago today. In addition
to allowing select non-travelers gate access, TSA in July 2025 rolled back its "shoes-off"
policy.