Yes, at participating U.S. airports—but TSA PreCheck membership alone is not permission to go through security without a ticket. To use PreCheck lanes as a non-ticketed visitor, you need an approved Gateside by TSA PreCheck pass for your visit. The program is free for eligible members and lets you meet someone at the gate, join a friend during a layover, or visit shops and restaurants beyond security. TSA explains the authorization and eligibility.
Who qualifies, and where can you use it?
Gateside is available to TSA PreCheck members and others eligible for PreCheck screening through certain federal employment or trusted traveler programs. You apply using your Known Traveler Number (KTN); your name, date of birth and KTN must exactly match your TSA PreCheck application information. Children can join but must be added to their parent or guardian’s reservation.
As of November 2, 2026, TSA lists these 13 participating airports:
| Airport | Code |
|---|---|
| Mesa Gateway | AZA |
| John Glenn Columbus International | CMH |
| Dallas Fort Worth International | DFW |
| Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County | DTW |
| Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National | ICT |
| Indianapolis International | IND |
| Harry Reid International, Las Vegas | LAS |
| Los Angeles International | LAX |
| Bill and Hillary Clinton National, Little Rock | LIT |
| Will Rogers International, Oklahoma City | OKC |
| Eppley Airfield, Omaha | OMA |
| San Diego International | SAN |
| Salt Lake City International | SLC |
Check the current TSA airport list before planning: expansion is phased, and each airport limits the number of passes issued per day.
How to arrange a visit
- Apply one to three days before your visit. Gateside does not offer a same-day application window. Start from TSA’s Gateside page, then create or sign in to a Login.gov account.
- Enter your details and any children joining you. Submit the request and check the portal dashboard for approval. An application is not an approved pass.
- Recheck your status before leaving for the airport. TSA says approval status can change. Keep a public-side meeting point as a backup, especially during peak periods.
- Bring acceptable ID and a mobile device. A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a passport are examples on TSA’s acceptable identification list.
- Use a TSA PreCheck screening lane—not Touchless ID. Log in to your dashboard before presenting your ID. You may need to show the live approval status; screenshots and printouts are not accepted. Reservations including children must be verified in the portal. If PreCheck lanes are closed, an officer may direct you to standard screening.
These are TSA’s Gateside application and checkpoint rules. The pass lasts one calendar day, with reentry allowed that day. Visitors face the same screening requirements and item limits as ticketed passengers, so bring only what you need for the visit.
No PreCheck, no participating airport, or visiting today?
Look for the airport’s own visitor-pass program rather than assuming Gateside is your only option. These passes are separate: TSA says airport visitor passes and airline-issued gate passes use standard screening, even if you have PreCheck membership. Airlines issue gate passes only in limited circumstances, such as accompanying a minor or a person with disabilities. Check TSA’s distinction between the programs.
For a concrete same-day alternative, San Diego’s SAN Pass accepts applications on the visit date or up to seven days ahead, subject to capacity and TSA approval. It does not allow PreCheck or CLEAR access. For an unaccompanied minor, SAN directs you to coordinate with the airline instead. SAN Pass rules.
If approval is unavailable, arrange to meet outside security. For international arrivals at SAN, plan to meet in the international arrivals lobby after the traveler exits the secure area. The airport says its visitor pass cannot access the secure customs area, and no pass is needed for that lobby meeting.