Image generated with Ai
Phoenix-Mesa aligns with John Glenn and 11 more US airports as new Gateside by TSA PreCheck lets eligible visitors meet loved ones beyond security, changing airport welcomes. For years, airport security has created a clear divide between passengers and the friends, relatives and other visitors waiting to meet them. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is now testing a programme designed to narrow that divide at selected US airports.
Phoenix-Mesa now aligns with John Glenn and 11 more US airports as Gateside by TSA PreCheck changes how eligible visitors can meet loved ones beyond security. Instead of waiting outside the checkpoint, approved visitors can enter the secure area without travelling themselves. However, access is not automatic.
Eligible TSA PreCheck members and people with Known Traveler Numbers must apply in advance and receive approval. Meanwhile, participating airports are testing a new approach to airport reunions, send-offs and layovers. As the programme develops, travellers and families are watching closely. The move could make US airport experiences more personal, convenient and surprisingly emotional.
The new Gateside by TSA PreCheck initiative allows eligible people without a flight ticket to pass through airport security and reach the gate area, where they can welcome arriving travellers, see off departing passengers, meet friends during layovers, or spend time using airport facilities. The programme is being introduced through a phased rollout at selected airports across the United States, with additional locations expected to join in the coming months.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Before modern airport security procedures became such a significant part of the passenger journey, meeting someone at the gate was a familiar part of air travel. Family members could wait close to the aircraft, greet passengers immediately after arrival and sometimes help them navigate an unfamiliar terminal.
Today, people who are not travelling generally remain outside the secure area. That can make airport meetings more complicated, particularly when an arriving passenger is unfamiliar with the terminal or needs assistance finding baggage claim, ground transport or another part of the airport.
TSA’s Gateside initiative is intended to recreate some of that convenience for a defined group of travellers.
According to TSA, the programme is aimed at its most trusted travellers and provides an opportunity to return to the gate for welcomes and send-offs without holding a boarding pass for a flight.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Access is not open to every airport visitor.
The programme is specifically available to eligible TSA PreCheck members and people with Known Traveler Numbers (KTNs), subject to the programme’s application and approval requirements.
This distinction is important because having TSA PreCheck eligibility or a Known Traveler Number does not mean a person can simply arrive at an airport and walk through the security checkpoint without a flight.
Instead, Gateside operates through a separate approval process.
For travellers and families hoping to use the programme, checking the requirements before travelling will therefore be essential.
Eligible participants must apply through the TSA website between one and three days before they plan to visit the airport.
Once the application has been approved, the participant must bring valid identification and use the designated TSA PreCheck lane to obtain access to the secure side of the airport.
The process means Gateside is not an unrestricted extension of normal airport access. TSA retains control over who can enter the secure area and when that access is authorised.
Children can also accompany an eligible parent or guardian when they are included on that person’s reservation, according to the programme information provided by TSA.
For passengers meeting someone at the gate, this could make airport arrivals considerably easier. Rather than arranging a meeting point outside security, the visitor can potentially be waiting closer to the aircraft arrival area.
The initial Gateside rollout covers 13 US airports, giving the programme a geographically diverse starting point.
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) is among the airports participating in the Gateside rollout, giving travellers in the East Valley a new way to welcome friends and relatives beyond the security checkpoint. The airport serves communities across the southeastern Phoenix metropolitan area and is known for its regional connectivity, growing passenger base and convenient access to Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek and surrounding areas.
Under Gateside, approved visitors may be able to enter the secure side of the terminal without holding a boarding pass. This could be especially helpful for families collecting children, assisting older relatives or meeting passengers who are unfamiliar with the airport. Instead of waiting in the public arrivals area, an authorised visitor may be able to meet the traveller closer to the gate.
Mesa Gateway also provides TSA with a useful regional testing environment. Its participation shows that the programme is not limited to the country’s largest hubs and could support more personal airport experiences in smaller communities.
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) is another participating location in the Gateside programme. Serving Ohio’s capital city and surrounding communities, the airport handles a broad mix of business, leisure, family and connecting traffic. Its participation gives approved non-passengers an opportunity to meet travellers closer to the gate rather than waiting outside the security area.
For Columbus families, the programme could be particularly useful when parents collect children, relatives welcome passengers returning from overseas or friends assist someone arriving in an unfamiliar city. It may also help travellers who need additional support navigating the terminal, locating baggage facilities or arranging onward transportation.
The airport’s inclusion demonstrates how Gateside could operate in a busy but manageable metropolitan airport environment. However, visitors must complete the required TSA process before arriving. TSA PreCheck membership or possession of a Known Traveler Number does not automatically provide entry. Approval, valid identification and compliance with screening procedures remain essential.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) gives Gateside exposure at one of the largest and busiest aviation hubs in the United States. The airport serves as a major connecting point for domestic and international travellers, making it especially relevant to the programme’s potential layover and meet-and-greet uses.
An approved visitor could potentially meet a passenger during a long connection without holding a boarding pass. This may allow travellers to spend time with local friends or relatives while remaining within the secure airport environment. The arrangement could also help families supporting passengers who are travelling alone or need assistance transferring between flights.
DFW’s scale makes controlled access particularly important. The airport has multiple terminals, extensive passenger flows and complex security arrangements, so visitors will need to follow airport-specific instructions carefully. Gateside does not provide unrestricted access to every part of the airport. Visitors remain subject to TSA screening, identification requirements and any operational limits imposed by the airport.
At Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Gateside extends the programme to a major Midwest gateway serving southeastern Michigan and nearby communities in Ohio and Canada. Detroit handles substantial domestic and international traffic, including business travel, family visits and connecting journeys.
For approved visitors, the programme could make airport reunions more convenient and personal. A family member might meet an arriving passenger near the gate, while a trusted companion could help an older traveller navigate the terminal or locate transportation. The arrangement may also reduce confusion during busy arrival periods, when public pickup areas can become crowded and difficult to coordinate.
Detroit’s participation gives TSA an opportunity to observe how controlled visitor access functions at a large airport with a diverse passenger mix. Advance approval remains central to the process. Visitors cannot simply arrive at DTW and request access on the day. They must apply within the required timeframe, bring acceptable identification and complete the applicable security screening before entering the secure area.
Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) represents the Gateside programme’s presence in an important regional aviation market. Serving Wichita and much of central and western Kansas, the airport connects local communities with larger domestic hubs and supports both business and leisure travel.
In a regional setting, the ability to meet a passenger beyond security could be especially valuable. Families may use the programme to welcome relatives returning from extended trips, while business colleagues could meet arriving clients without arranging a separate meeting location outside the terminal. Approved visitors might also assist passengers who are elderly, travelling with children or unfamiliar with airport procedures.
Wichita’s participation allows TSA to evaluate Gateside in an airport environment with different passenger volumes and operational patterns from those found at major international hubs. The programme remains controlled, however. Visitors must receive approval before travelling to the airport, present valid identification and complete security screening. Gateside access is temporary and conditional; it does not provide the same rights or privileges as a passenger ticket.
Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is participating in Gateside, giving approved non-passengers a new option for meeting travellers inside the secure terminal. As Indiana’s principal commercial airport, Indianapolis serves a wide range of passengers, including families, business travellers, sports visitors and people connecting through the Midwest.
The programme could be useful for relatives welcoming passengers after long journeys or helping children and older travellers navigate the airport. It may also support business meetings during extended connections, allowing an approved visitor to meet someone without requiring the passenger to leave the secure area.
The distinction between airport access and flight access remains important at Indianapolis. A Gateside visitor does not become a passenger and cannot board an aircraft simply because they have entered the secure terminal. They remain subject to TSA conditions and airport instructions throughout the visit.
Applicants should complete the required process in advance, wait for approval and bring valid identification. TSA PreCheck eligibility or a Known Traveler Number may support participation, but approval for the specific visit is still required.
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) brings Gateside into one of the United States’ most recognisable leisure and entertainment destinations. Las Vegas receives large numbers of tourists, convention attendees, families and business travellers, creating several possible uses for controlled access beyond security.
An approved visitor could potentially meet a traveller inside the secure terminal instead of arranging a meeting in the public arrivals area. This may be convenient for families arriving together, friends welcoming visitors or business contacts meeting during a long connection. It could also help passengers who need assistance navigating a busy airport after landing.
Because Las Vegas handles significant passenger volumes, visitors should pay close attention to terminal directions and airport procedures. Gateside approval does not guarantee access to every terminal area or eliminate the need for screening. Visitors must carry valid identification and comply with TSA requirements.
Travellers should also confirm the latest operational details before visiting, particularly if they are meeting someone during a connection or using a different terminal from the arriving passenger.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the highest-profile airports included in the Gateside rollout. As a major international gateway, LAX serves a vast network of domestic and overseas routes and regularly handles families, business travellers, tourists and passengers making complex connections.
At an airport of this size, meeting someone at the gate can be significantly different from arranging a pickup in the public terminal area. An approved visitor may be able to welcome an arriving passenger sooner, assist with navigation or provide support during a connection. The programme could be particularly helpful for travellers unfamiliar with LAX’s terminals and transportation arrangements.
However, the airport’s scale also explains why Gateside must remain carefully controlled. Terminal access, security screening and passenger movement require close coordination. Visitors should confirm which terminal they need, allow time for screening and follow all instructions from TSA and airport staff.
LAX participation does not mean that non-ticketed visitors can move freely throughout the airport. Gateside approval is specific, conditional and separate from holding a flight reservation.
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in Little Rock is part of the participating Gateside network, providing a regional example of how approved non-passengers may reconnect with travellers beyond the security checkpoint. The airport serves Arkansas’s capital and surrounding communities, supporting business travel, family visits and connections to larger US destinations.
For passengers arriving after a long journey, seeing a familiar face near the gate could create a more welcoming experience than walking alone through the terminal before reaching the public arrivals area. Families may find the programme useful when collecting children or relatives, while companions could assist travellers who need help with directions, baggage arrangements or onward transportation.
Little Rock’s participation also allows TSA to assess the programme in a regional airport setting where passenger flows may differ from those at the largest hubs. Visitors must still apply in advance, receive approval and present valid identification. Gateside access is not automatic, and TSA screening requirements continue to apply even when the visitor is not travelling.
Will Rogers International Airport (OKC) in Oklahoma City is included in the Gateside programme, reinforcing its geographic reach across the United States. The airport serves Oklahoma City and a broad surrounding region, with passengers travelling for business, family visits, education, leisure and onward connections.
For eligible visitors, Gateside could make airport meetings more convenient and direct. A family member might welcome a passenger near the gate, while a friend could assist someone arriving in the city for the first time. The programme may also be useful for people supporting children, older relatives or travellers who require additional help navigating the terminal.
The same basic conditions apply at Will Rogers as at other participating airports. Approval must be obtained before the visit, valid identification must be presented and the visitor must complete the required security screening. A Gateside visitor is not treated as a ticketed passenger and cannot use the programme to access an aircraft or bypass normal airport controls.
The initiative therefore represents controlled visitor access rather than unrestricted entry.
At Eppley Airfield (OMA) in Omaha, Gateside gives approved non-travellers an opportunity to enter the secure side of the airport under TSA supervision. The airport serves Nebraska’s largest city as well as communities in Iowa, South Dakota and the wider Great Plains region.
The programme could be useful for family reunions, passenger assistance and business meetings during extended connections. Instead of coordinating in the public terminal, an approved visitor may be able to meet a traveller closer to the gate. This could be particularly helpful when a passenger is unfamiliar with the airport, needs assistance carrying belongings or is travelling with children.
Eppley’s participation also provides TSA with another regional example of how controlled access can operate outside the country’s largest aviation centres. Visitors must complete the application process before arriving and should not assume that membership in TSA PreCheck alone guarantees entry.
Valid identification, approval for the specific visit and compliance with screening procedures remain necessary. Airport staff may also impose operational restrictions depending on terminal conditions and security requirements.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is another major West Coast participant in the Gateside rollout. The airport serves a popular tourism destination and handles a mixture of leisure travellers, military personnel, business passengers, families and international visitors.
Its participation makes the programme particularly relevant to people welcoming friends and relatives arriving for holidays or extended stays. An approved visitor could potentially meet a traveller inside the secure terminal, creating a more direct transition from the flight to the welcome. The arrangement may also help passengers who need assistance navigating the airport or arranging onward transportation.
San Diego’s busy operating environment means visitors should plan carefully. They should confirm the correct terminal, allow time for screening and follow instructions from TSA and airport personnel. Gateside approval is separate from ordinary TSA PreCheck membership, so travellers should not assume that holding a Known Traveler Number automatically permits entry.
The programme remains conditional and controlled. Visitors may access the airport only under the terms of their approval and cannot use Gateside as a substitute for a boarding pass.
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is also part of the Gateside rollout, adding an important western connecting hub to the programme. The airport serves Utah’s capital and functions as a major gateway for travellers moving through the Mountain West, including passengers connecting to smaller regional destinations.
Its participation makes Gateside relevant to both meet-and-greet visits and longer layovers. An approved visitor could potentially meet a family member or friend during a connection without requiring the passenger to leave the secure airport environment. The programme may also help travellers who need assistance navigating a large terminal or transferring between flights.
Salt Lake City’s modern facilities and substantial connecting traffic provide TSA with another setting in which to evaluate controlled access for non-ticketed visitors. As elsewhere, approval must be obtained before the visit, and visitors must bring valid identification and complete security screening.
The airport’s inclusion also demonstrates that Gateside is not limited to coastal cities or smaller regional terminals. It is being tested across different airport sizes, passenger profiles and geographic markets while retaining the same core security requirements.
Gateside is significant because it addresses an aspect of air travel that is rarely measured in passenger statistics: the airport experience of people who are not flying.TSA uses the latest generation of Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) during the travel document checking process. CAT-2 units are equipped with digital readers and cameras that take real-time photos of travelers to help verify their identity at security checkpoints.
Airports increasingly function as places for dining, shopping, meeting and spending time, but security checkpoints have historically separated those activities from the travelling public.
TSA’s programme introduces a controlled mechanism for reconnecting those two sides.
For families, the emotional value may be the strongest attraction. For airports, there could also be commercial implications because approved visitors may spend time in post-security restaurants and retail areas.
For passengers requiring assistance, the programme could offer a practical advantage as well. A trusted person may be able to meet them closer to the gate instead of waiting elsewhere in the terminal.
The inclusion of major aviation markets such as Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas and San Diego gives the initiative relevance for both domestic and international travellers, while the presence of smaller regional airports provides a broader test of how the concept works across different airport environments. TSA continues to integrate new technologies into its identity verification process. Read more about these programs at www.tsa.gov/digital-id.
TSA is positioning Gateside as more than a programme for airport reunions.
The agency says eligible visitors can use the opportunity to welcome and send off travellers, meet friends during a layover, and access dining and shopping within the secure airport environment.
That could have implications for the wider airport experience.
Airports have increasingly developed their post-security areas as destinations containing restaurants, retail outlets and passenger amenities. Allowing a limited number of approved non-passengers into those areas could create additional opportunities for families, friends and other visitors to use those facilities while accompanying travellers.
However, the principal attraction remains the ability to meet a passenger at the gate rather than waiting elsewhere in the terminal.
Security remains the central consideration behind the programme.
Gateside does not remove TSA screening requirements or create unrestricted access to airport secure areas. Instead, it introduces an additional controlled pathway for a limited group of pre-approved individuals.
For travellers, the practical lesson is straightforward: eligibility alone is not enough. Anyone intending to use Gateside needs to apply within the required timeframe, wait for approval and arrive with valid identification.
The programme is currently limited to participating airports, so passengers should also confirm that their departure or arrival airport supports Gateside before making plans.
The cause is simple: airport security has separated arriving travellers from the people waiting to welcome them for decades. The answer is Gateside by TSA PreCheck, a controlled programme allowing eligible visitors into secure airport areas without holding a flight ticket.
The reason is practical as well as personal. Families can potentially meet loved ones closer to the gate, while approved visitors may assist children, older passengers or people unfamiliar with an airport. Furthermore, layover meetings, dining and shopping become possible beyond security. However, visitors need eligibility, advance application, approval, valid identification and TSA screening before entering participating US airports.
Phoenix-Mesa, John Glenn and 11 more US airports are now part of the Gateside by TSA PreCheck rollout, creating a notable change in how eligible visitors can meet loved ones beyond security. The programme does not remove airport screening or offer unrestricted access. Instead, it provides an approved pathway for qualifying TSA PreCheck members and people with Known Traveler Numbers to enter secure areas without travelling.
Consequently, families can potentially greet arriving passengers at the gate rather than waiting in public terminal areas. The same opportunity may help people supporting children, older travellers and passengers needing assistance. Meanwhile, airports gain a chance to test whether controlled non-passenger access can improve the overall travel experience. As Gateside expands, its biggest impact could be surprisingly human: bringing back the airport welcome, while keeping security firmly in place. The programme remains subject to TSA approval and participating-airport procedures.
Travellers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are being urged to check their identification before flying, as federal REAL ID requirements affect what passengers can present at TSA security checkpoints.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), working with the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works and the U.S. Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles, has reminded travellers that eligible identification is required for airport security screening.
Under the federal requirement, airline passengers aged 18 and over must present a REAL ID-compliant identification or another TSA-accepted form of identification, such as a passport, when travelling on flights requiring identity verification.
The requirement also applies to members of TSA PreCheck®. PreCheck membership does not exempt passengers from federal identification requirements.
Travellers using a driver’s licence should check whether it carries the REAL ID star in the upper-right corner.
A standard state-issued licence without the required marking is not sufficient for domestic air travel once the REAL ID enforcement requirement applies. Passengers without compliant identification may experience delays, additional screening or other complications at the security checkpoint.
TSA Federal Security Director for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Mariely Loperena Moure, has encouraged residents to obtain compliant identification before travelling, particularly during busy travel periods.
Travellers who do not have a REAL ID-compliant licence are not necessarily unable to fly. TSA accepts several other forms of identification, including a valid passport, provided the document meets the agency’s requirements.
Passengers should verify the current TSA identification rules before heading to the airport and allow additional time if they expect complications with their documents.
TSA also states that non-citizens illegally present in the United States who are voluntarily self-deporting on international flights will not be denied boarding because of this identification requirement.
Residents of Puerto Rico can find information about required documents and the application process through the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works.
Residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands can consult the U.S. Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles for REAL ID requirements.
Checking identification well before departure can help passengers avoid unnecessary delays and make the airport security process smoother.
TSA has indicated that Gateside is being introduced through a phased rollout and that more airports are expected to be added in the coming months. The agency has not provided a specific timetable or final number of participating airports.
That means the programme remains an evolving part of the US airport experience.
If the rollout expands, Gateside could offer a practical new option for families, friends and other eligible visitors who want to be present at the gate when a traveller arrives or departs.
For now, however, its benefits depend on three factors: having the required TSA PreCheck or Known Traveler Number eligibility, receiving approval through the Gateside application process, and using one of the participating airports.
The initiative ultimately reflects a broader shift in the passenger experience: maintaining strict aviation security while finding controlled ways to make airports more accessible, convenient and human for the people travelling through them and those waiting to welcome them.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Friday, September 11, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026