TSA is bringing back a part of air travel that disappeared after 9/11
Back before September 11, 2001, it was commonplace for family members to see their loved ones off at the departure gate, or be there to welcome them when they stepped off the jetway. But after the 9/11 attacks, which occurred 25 years ago this Friday, that changed. 9/11 ushered in a raft of strict new security measures at airports nationwide, including banning most people without a ticket from…
In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) implemented stringent security measures at U.S. airports. These changes included barring almost all non-passengers from approaching the security checkpoint, except for rare exceptions such as parents waving goodbye to children or individuals with disabilities.
However, as of this month, the TSA is reintroducing a feature of air travel that vanished in the post-9/11 era. The new program, called TSA Gateside, permits PreCheck members to bypass security checks at designated airports without a ticket for air travel. This allows them to greet or bid farewell to family and friends at the departure gate, meet acquaintances during a layover, or indulge in airport dining and shopping.
The TSA characterizes this move as a way to revive the cherished moments of pre-9/11 air travel, where loved ones could spend more time together at the airport. However, it is essential to note that TSA Gateside is not a return to the lax security protocols of the past. Instead, it is an extension of the PreCheck program, which requires approval.
PreCheck members who are not holding a ticket will need to apply for a Gateside pass in advance, typically one to three days prior to their visit. Once approved, they can enter the airport on the day of their pass and utilize the TSA PreCheck lanes to clear security. Currently, the TSA Gateside program is operational at 13 airports across the nation, including Arizona Mesa Gateway Airport, Arkansas Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, California's Los Angeles International Airport and San Diego International Airport, Indiana's Indianapolis International Airport, Kansas' Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, Michigan's Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Nebraska's Eppley Airfield, Nevada's Harry Reid International Airport, Ohio's John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Oklahoma's Will Rogers International Airport, Texas' Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, and Utah's Salt Lake City International Airport.
The TSA intends to expand the program gradually to additional airports. Using TSA Gateside is free, provided the individual already holds a PreCheck membership. More information about the program can be found on the TSA's official website.
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