We’ve just seen the launch of Gateside by TSA PreCheck, a program that lets TSA PreCheck members clear security at select airports even when they’re not flying. While we’ve seen individual airports launch programs to let non-travelers get through security, this is the first time we’ve seen a centrally run program like this, and it’s pretty intriguing.
New Gateside by TSA PreCheck program launches
Gateside by TSA PreCheck is a new program that gives members access to the terminal beyond airport security, even when they’re not flying. This benefit is exclusive to those with TSA PreCheck, and only works at participating airports.
The idea is that this is a program that makes it easier to get to the gate for welcomes and send-offs, meet friends during a layover, or enjoy dining and shopping (you know, for those situations where you crave an awful $16 slice of pizza).
Here are the basics of how Gateside by TSA PreCheck works:
- You must apply to use the program (at no cost), at least one day before your visit, and no more than three days in advance
- The program is open to those with TSA PreCheck, so you must provide your Known Traveler Number (KTN) when you apply; children can be brought as well without PreCheck, but they still have to be registered at the same time you apply
- Once issued, passes are valid for one calendar day, and can even be used for multiple entries
- When you go through security, you just need to show a TSA officer an ID, and you may need to show your portal dashboard on your mobile device, displaying your approved Gateside pass status (screenshots and printouts won’t be accepted)
- Unlike other types of gate passes issued at airports or by airlines, those using the Gateside by TSA PreCheck program can use the TSA PreCheck lanes at airports
This Gateside by TSA PreCheck program is currently available at the following 13 airports, with more expected to be added in the future:
- Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in Arizona
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Ohio
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in Michigan
- Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) in Kansas
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND) in Indiana
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Nevada
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in California
- Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Arkansas
- Will Rogers International Airport (OKC) in Oklahoma
- Eppley Airfield (OMA) in Nebraska
- San Diego International Airport (SAN) in California
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in Utah
This is a niche concept, but a nice initiative
In 2017, we saw the TSA launch a pilot program that allows people to clear security at select airports even when not flying. This was an initiative that launched at Pittsburgh Airport (PIT), and it ultimately rolled out at a very limited number of airports.
This new program is great because the process is a bit more centralized, and travelers are allowed to use TSA PreCheck lanes. Admittedly this also means that you need TSA PreCheck to actually use the program, so that excludes a lot of people.
I consider the uses of this to be pretty niche. I can’t imagine many people want to shop or dine at US airports — I mean, we don’t exactly have any Singapore Changi-type airports in our country. But for those situations where you want to meet someone, this could be useful, and is worth being aware of.
One other unique miles & points angle to this is that you could use this program to access Delta One Lounges or United Polaris Lounges after arrival on an international flight. These lounges are typically accessible upon arrival as well, but only if you can get airside again, and when arriving internationally, you typically have to clear security. So this could be a way to do that.
Bottom line
We’ve just seen the launch of the Gateside by TSA PreCheck program, whereby those with TSA PreCheck can clear security at select airports even when not flying. This is only available at select airports, though the expectation is that the number of eligible airports will increase over time.
While we’ve seen individual airports let non-travelers clear security in the past, this is unique, as it allows travelers to use PreCheck lanes.
What do you make of the Gateside by TSA PreCheck concept?
You could do this in the 90's. Helpful for families where one parent isn't traveling, or elderly parents who needs assistance, multiple benefits besides lounges, eating or shopping. For anyone conscious in the 90's or earlier this is not a novel concept, it used to be the norm.
I'm afraid this will attract pickpockets and fraudsters .
Obtaining a false ID is not all that difficult if you have a buddy at the DMV.
Also, using someone else's ID is not unheard of.
Suggest you keep an strong eye on your wallet, purse, & tablet.
What on earth are you even talking about
Ben, what is the URL to apply? Thanks.
I really don’t think we’re talking a big market here. Like who on God’s earth actually wants to go into the bowels of LAX by choice. Aside from picking up an elderly relative or surprising a loved one (and even that’s a stretch), this is more of a nice to have but doubtful we’ll notice an increase in queue wait times like some here have suggested.
Wonder if one could then use a Lounge? Is a ticketed flight always required? Hey, free food at Capital One Landing and Amex Centurian.
Not happening; the lounge itself requires a boarding pass for admission.
There was a man in China who would buy 1st class refundable tickets. He would rotate among the various lounges that provided access for his free lunch of the day.
Stupid. As if the security lines (even PreCheck) are not long enough already.
For some time now, DFW permits arriving international PAX with a connecting flight to clear customs airside and never leave the secured area. Since this an AA hub it may be specific to this airline. Be that as it may, the experience is downright wonderful. From the time one steps off the flight ( parked at D23 ) until entering the Flagship Lounge, the walking time is roughly 5-7 minutes, "door to door".
Route:...
For some time now, DFW permits arriving international PAX with a connecting flight to clear customs airside and never leave the secured area. Since this an AA hub it may be specific to this airline. Be that as it may, the experience is downright wonderful. From the time one steps off the flight ( parked at D23 ) until entering the Flagship Lounge, the walking time is roughly 5-7 minutes, "door to door".
Route: off the plane, up the escalator, cross over the concourse, follow the custom agent's directions though a roped off corridor past the customs offices, then exit the offices and one is at the escalator descending from the Skylink station down to the concourse level; this is only several paces away from the Admiral's Club and Flagship Lounge shared entrance. By the time you've taken the elevator back up to the the Club level, the staff there greet you and usher you into the Flagship lounge.
If you have checked a bag, how does it clear Customs with you?
Like a few here, I flew a decent amount on business late last century. I remember the dark side of the "let anybody into the terminal" policy. I'd be arriving at ORD or STL to deplane and get to the departure gate for my connection. What did we arrive to? It seemed, with great frequency, it was a gauntlet on non-pax greeting arriving pax. But, of course, grandpa would be in front of me, and...
Like a few here, I flew a decent amount on business late last century. I remember the dark side of the "let anybody into the terminal" policy. I'd be arriving at ORD or STL to deplane and get to the departure gate for my connection. What did we arrive to? It seemed, with great frequency, it was a gauntlet on non-pax greeting arriving pax. But, of course, grandpa would be in front of me, and the cadre of 8 waiting for him thought it was OK to rush out and block the narrow pathway that was now the exit for what seemed like minutes. No thanks for that to return (I, of course, have no problem with people being let in to greet arriving pax in need of help.)
In Australia, there is no ID check or a requirement to have a ticket to pass through TSA-like screening. So, the whole family can come meet grandma if they're willing to clear security. There is never really the hassle I described above. So, maybe it won't be bad. Plus, they've got to reserve and have precheck. And, since my airport in on the list, I'll get to see. But, I'm really hoping low use.
I'm with everyone else who noted the last thing we need is more people in TSA lines.
My first thought was remembering sending my daughter on her first solo flight at 15, and wishing we had this option back then. When I was growing up this was how it always worked at US airports - you dropped people off and picked them up at the gate. Super nice for elderly family members, kids, or others who may need assistance.
If you have Global Entry you can use this, correct, since Pre-Check is included?
This is ok, but too limited. A simpler way is to buy a fully refundable ticket on a flight for a few hours before the time you need to go in then as soon as you pass security cancel your ticket. The cost doesn't matter but make absolutely it is 100% refundable. I know lots of people who do this to meet up with incoming family and business associates.
Do that in Singapore and you risk jail. They post written warnings against it at the airport.
iirc it’s a bigger issue in Singapore because there’s passport control involved (since all flights are international), and there’s some sort of immigration law that one would be breaking to go through passport control without the intent to leave the country. Presumably it’s less of an issue for purely domestic flights, although I can’t imagine airlines being a big fan of people doing this frequently.
I can see this being handy at SEA. With an international arrival, there are very few options for food outside security. If you have a bit of a wait for a shuttle, it would be nice to go to a restaurant or lounge instead of sitting on hard plastic seats in a crowd.
I'll be using this as an AvGeek at LAX but too bad parking is so expensive...
(What'd be nice... is if... they finally opened... that new people mover... just sayin'...)
PreCheck Touchless ID needs to be associated with an airline, but if you have already done that can you enter without a flight? Or do you always need a ticket for Touchless ID?
If so, then this could be useful when flying an airline that doesn't have Touchless ID. Looking at you BA.
"Or do you always need a ticket for Touchless ID?"
You need a ticket because you need the boarding pass for touchless ID, as touchless is indicated on the BP itself.
This isn't mainly going to be used by people who want to take advantage of lounges or whatever. It's going to be used by the same kinds of people who took advantage of terminal access before the passengers-only restrictions: by family members picking up or dropping off their loved ones at the gate, especially children, elderly people, disabled people, and those who don't speak English fluently.
I suspect we might see some high-end car services...
This isn't mainly going to be used by people who want to take advantage of lounges or whatever. It's going to be used by the same kinds of people who took advantage of terminal access before the passengers-only restrictions: by family members picking up or dropping off their loved ones at the gate, especially children, elderly people, disabled people, and those who don't speak English fluently.
I suspect we might see some high-end car services add "meet passenger at the gate" for an extra charge.
This is will be super helpful when I have in laws visiting me. They speak only speak Polish.
But only if they arrive on a domestic flight. The pass won't get you through customs/immigration.
Like every other recent ideas.
It looks good on paper and will be terrible on execution.
So now you're putting more burden on the under paid and under staffed TSA?
I guess long lines are not long enough anymore?
I welcome the idea. But the current infrastructure just doesn't support it.
You shouldn't add more people to stretch the system further. You should do it only when the system is idle. You had...
Like every other recent ideas.
It looks good on paper and will be terrible on execution.
So now you're putting more burden on the under paid and under staffed TSA?
I guess long lines are not long enough anymore?
I welcome the idea. But the current infrastructure just doesn't support it.
You shouldn't add more people to stretch the system further. You should do it only when the system is idle. You had all of 2020 to do it during Covid but no you have to do it when air travel is at all time high and increasing.
By the way, Changi is still overrated no matter how much you try to worship it.
Agree! The lines and wait times will now be longer.
Cant wait for this to be extended to IAD. Who wouldnt want to go to Concourse D for a quiet evening with the wife...
The mistresses...
Australia has had this forever. Anyone can go through security at a domestic airport - there's no need to be flying, or to book in advance.
The number of people who go to the hassle and expense of going to an airport and clearing security without flying is tiny. It won't make any measurable difference to wait times or crowding.
We have this for everyone at SEA (SEA Visitor Pass) and I use it about 90% of the time when picking people up from the airport and even 5% of the time when dropping them off. Would love to use TSA Precheck for it vs the one single allowed lane at SEA that has the special iPad for their program.
Just look at the lines at SEA during peak hours.
Very useful if at DFW - say you arrive a day early, and overnight at one of the Hyatt's, for an early flight the next morning. Then you can go back into the airport for dining or accessing the AA club that evening.
To pluralize the word Hyatt, add an s. Like this: Hyatts. That's how you pluralize something. Hyatt's is possessive- which means something belonging to Hyatt. Makes no sense in this circumstance. This is basic grammar.
By-standers everywhere kibbutzing and teasing the passengers and crew .
Bystanders forming agricultural collective settlements in an airport? I'd like to see that.
Just another example of why unclean goyim shouldn't try to use Yiddish. The word's "kibitzing".
Ord - I'm a schnorrer , so please forgive me .
Honestly, great for Avgeeks and maybe family dropping someone off, but otherwise is sounds like a weird investment for a country, that feels that TSA takes too much money and should be replaced with private security.
Yeah I see two real uses for this - lounges after an international arrival (as you pointed out), and VIP greeter services for an international arrival (who in the past, outside of a few very specific vendors, could only meet clients in the arrivals hall after immigration).
I understand people complaining about too many people in the terminal now, but how many people are realistically taking advantage of this... I can't imagine many.
Awesome. More people in DFW...
No O'Hare, no care.
If too many non-flying people , this will clog up everything with mischief-makers and charity-solicitors , causing numerous crowd-jams .
Yay! More folks in the terminal! YAY!
The idea of going to an airport without a flight, absolutely no appeal.
You, sir, are no av-geek.
However, he is a geek. As in the 1920s definition, a sideshow freak who bites the heads off chickens.
Now, if only lounges would allow their members entry without a flight, I'd never pay for 'meals,' again. (What's for dinner? Oh, you know, La Guardia's Chase Sapphire, yet again...)
I mean, you can always book an LGA TB ticket on miles, go to the lounge, and then refund the ticket before boarding. I'm sure if you did that once a year no one would say anything... it certainly happens sometimes that you have to cancel a business trip while you're at the airport.
As nice as the CSR lounge is though, still have to get to LGA. Maybe if you already live in Queens...
Ugh, just when I thought the trope of making a big romantic gesture at the departure gate à la Love Actually was a thing of the past.
What’s more romantic than scheduling your big gesture at least one but no more than three days in advance?
The real use for this is lounge access from international arrivals.
@ yoloswag420 -- That's a great point, thanks! I just updated the post to reflect that.
You can clear security without a flight....great!
BUT, if ARRIVING internationally, can you get into the lounges without a boarding pass for a departing flight in a timeframe of a few hours?
Good benefit especially if you travel internationally without checked baggage.