TSA PreCheck gateside allows non-travelers

The Transportation Security Administration began offering “Gateside by TSA PreCheck” on September 1, 2026, giving approved non-travelers access to airport terminals beyond security at 14 U.S. airports. The program is limited to TSA PreCheck members and others with a Known Traveler Number, according to the agency’s program page. TSA says the service is free and lets visitors use PreCheck lanes even when they are not flying. ### Who can actually use this? TSA says Gateside is open to TSA PreCheck members and others with Known Traveler Numbers. Applicants must request access one to three days before a planned visit, then bring acceptable identification and, if approved, show their status to a TSA officer at the airport. The agency says children can join a parent or guardian’s reservation. (tsa.gov) TSA also says visitors are subject to the same airport code-of-conduct rules and federal security requirements that apply to ticketed passengers. ### Where is it available now? TSA says the program is live at 14 airports: Mesa Gateway, John Glenn Columbus, Dallas Fort Worth, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County, Wichita Dwight D. (tsa.gov) Eisenhower, Indianapolis, Harry Reid, Los Angeles International, Bill and Hillary Clinton National, Chicago Midway, Will Rogers International, Eppley Airfield, San Diego International and Salt Lake City International. The agency says more airports will be added “in the coming months.” The agency also notes that availability may be limited during peak periods. That means approval to participate does not guarantee the same access at every hour of the day. ### Why is this showing up alongside other travel posts? A social-media travel roundup that circulated on September 7 grouped the TSA rollout with two unrelated travel developments: an American Airlines onboard restraint incident and Hurricane Lowell’s threat to Hawaii. (tsa.gov) The three items were not part of one TSA announcement, but they moved together in travel feeds because they were all active topics over the same 24-to-48-hour period. CBS Texas reported that a passenger on an American Airlines flight on September 3 was duct-taped to his seat after a mid-flight outburst. Separately, Hawaii weather alerts said Lowell was expected to bring high surf, flooding risk and strong winds across the islands through Tuesday. ### What was Hawaii warning about? The National Weather Service in Honolulu said on September 7 that surf from Hurricane Lowell would rise to warning levels and could bring damaging conditions, especially for parts of Kauai County and possibly Oahu. (tsa.gov) The office also said flooding was possible Tuesday and that hurricane-force winds were expected for Kauai and Niihau, with tropical-storm-force winds for Oahu through Monday night. (cbsnews.com) The Associated Press reported Hawaii officials were urging residents to prepare for heavy rain and flooding as Lowell passed west of the state. ### What should travelers watch next? TSA says Gateside applications are handled through a login.gov-linked portal and that travelers should return to the agency’s page to register and check participating airports. (forecast.weather.gov) The current list stands at 14 airports, and TSA says the rollout will widen in the coming months. Hawaii weather offices, meanwhile, said Lowell-related impacts were expected through Tuesday, September 8. (tsa.gov) (apnews.com)