Gateside by TSA PreCheck: Non-Ticketed Guests at U.S. Airports
Whether you have or haven't been keeping up with travel news, I'm here to share a major update on something new happening at select airports in the United States. Some non-ticketed airport visitors will be allowed to go through airport security and to the gates via a program called Gateside by TSA PreCheck. What does this mean and how will this work? I am going to explain the key things you need to know about this recent change.
How does Gateside by TSA PreCheck work?
Similar to other programs that are offered by specific airports and airlines, Gateside by TSA PreCheck is a free program that allows non-travelers to go through security and to airport gates without a plane ticket. The key difference with the Gateside program is that is is exclusively for those with TSA PreCheck and allows non-travelers to go through the TSA PreCheck lanes at the airport security checkpoint. All other programs for non-travelers require going through the standard security lanes.
For those who already have TSA PreCheck, you will need to apply for Gateside by TSA PreCheck on the TSA website and log into your account to complete the application at no cost. There will be a dashboard to reference that will show your application status. Applications must be submitted at least one day prior to your airport visit and no earlier than three days in advance. If approved, you will need to bring an appropriate government ID to the TSA PreCheck lane at a participating airport. Be prepared to also have the website with your dashboard pulled up on mobile device (no screenshots allowed) in case the TSA agents need to verify that you have approval for the Gateside by TSA PreCheck program.
How do I get TSA PreCheck since it is necessary to use Gateside by TSA PreCheck?
I recommend checking out my Is TSA PreCheck Worth It? blog post where I explain the application process and some of the benefits of TSA PreCheck. With this new Gateside by TSA PreCheck feature, it's a great option for people who live near a participating airport to be at the gate when their family and friends are leaving or as they arrive. You will need to apply separately for TSA PreCheck, conduct and in-person screening, provide multiple forms of government ID, do fingerprint scans, and pay a fee. Once approved, your TSA PreCheck status is valid for 5 years.
Which airports are allowing non-travelers past security via Gateside by TSA PreCheck?
Per the TSA website, the following 13 airports will be piloting the Gateside by TSA PreCheck in the initial rollout:
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
Personally, I like that they are doing this at a mix of large and smaller airports as the government pilots Gateside by TSA PreCheck. One airport from this list that stands out is Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is an airport with a history of testing TSA programs, such as self-service security screening that was piloted there a couple of years ago. If all goes well at these 13 airports, I anticipate this program expanding to more airports across the United States.
What are the pros and cons of non-travelers allowed past security at U.S. airports via Gateside by TSA PreCheck?
The pros and cons of allowing non-travelers beyond a TSA checkpoint will vary depending on who you're talking to. When I consider this from a broader perspective, these are the pros and cons of Gateside by TSA PreCheck that come to mind:
Pros
Greeting or Saying Goodbye to Loved One at the Gate
I remember the days before all of the TSA checkpoints when I would go to the airport with my family to greet my grandma at the gate when she arrived. When we were dropping off my mom at the airport, my dad and I would go to the gate with her to say our goodbyes and he would sit with me for a while to just watch the planes land and takeoff before we would return home. I was incredibly young, but those memories stuck with me! Having the option to be at the gate when someone is leaving or arriving is nice and something I would definitely consider using in the future. I imagine many other people would like to do the same.
Eating & Shopping at the Airport
That pair of sunglasses you had your eye or the makeup and jewelry that you love are available to purchase duty-free at the airport. While you probably would end up paying the equivalent of the taxes in your short-term parking fees when driving yourself to the airport, the idea of duty-free shopping is always nice and even more fun when you get to take advantage of it. For those that are fans of the show Abbott Elementary, you might remember the epidsode where Barbara and her husband wanted to eat at a restaurant in the airport and bought tickets for Spirit Airlines flights just so they could have their desired date night at this restaurant. With Gateside by TSA PreCheck, you won't have to worry about getting a plane ticket to eat at your favorite airport restaurant. Thank goodness because sometimes a person (me) just wants to enjoy a nice meal at the airport Chili's Too without purchasing a plane ticket!
Boost to the Airport Economy
From a business perspective, Gateside by TSA PreCheck is a good thing for airport economy. Participating airports can draw people in that will spend money on parking, food, and drinks without a plane ticket requirement to do so. This can help businesses in the airport maintain their lease, keep their staff employed, and boost the local economy. For airports featuring local businesses, this can really be a postive thing because it is another opportunity to keep their business going.
Cons
Reduced Parking Availability
Parking at airports can be hard to come by at different times. This is even more prevalent during the summer and holiday season when people are doing much more traveling than any other times of the year. People using Gateside by TSA PreCheck to go into the airport for any reason and plan to park their personal vehicle will take up parking spaces. Due to the relatively low fee and wider availability of screening appointments, more people have been able to get TSA PreCheck within the past 5 years than ever before. I would not be surprised to see more people with TSA PreCheck using the Gateside program when it expands to other airports, and that means more parking spaces will be temporarily unavailable to those that need them beyond a couple of hours.
More Airport Traffic
There could be more traffic getting to and through the airport if there is ever a surge in non-ticketed guests using Gateside by TSA PreCheck. This would mean more cars on the road, longer security lines (especially if someone needs to log into their account to show their dashboard to the TSA agent), and more people in the airport overall. Other lines for things like food and restrooms also may be a little bit longer than usual with non-ticketed guests visiting the airport.
More People, More Security Risks
Security risks always increase as more people enter a building. There are occasional reports on the news of secruity slip-ups which is always possible when human error is a factor. While those using Gateside by TSA PreCheck are not considered people who pose a secruity risk because they have TSA PreCheck, it's still always something to be aware of as a possibility.
I hope you found the information I shared helpful as you begin to learn more about Gateside by TSA PreCheck. It seems like something that is a nice perk of having TSA PreCheck and gives people an opportunity to have more flexibility for greeting or saying farewell to others and shopping or eating at the airport. Although I have not used Gateside by TSA PreCheck yet, it is something I would consider applying for in the future -- perhaps for the day when I just want to go to a business that I can most easily find in an airport such Dylan's Candy Bar or Chili's Too!
Comments