The Transportation Security Administration has halted the rapid expansion of its Gateside program, a pilot initiative that allows TSA PreCheck members to pass through airport security without a boarding pass. The program, which briefly appeared to cover 300 U.S. airports, has been retracted to the original 13 pilot locations, according to reports from The Points Guy.
Gateside expansion retracted
The Gateside by TSA PreCheck program launched in September 2026 as a pilot at 13 airports. It was designed to let non-travelers, such as family members or friends, accompany passengers to the gate, echoing the pre-9/11 era when such access was standard. The initiative received positive media attention for restoring a familiar travel experience.
Several weeks after the initial launch, the program appeared to quietly expand. The application portal for gate passes began offering users a selection from approximately 300 U.S. airports, even though the TSA did not update its official website or publicize the change. Passes were issued for this broader list.
Earlier this week, however, the expansion was pulled back. The TSA application portal now only lists the original 13 airports. A representative for the Norfolk Airport Authority in Virginia told local news station WAVY that the TSA informed them the program was on hold indefinitely, except for those original pilot sites.
TSA PreCheck gateside status
The reason for the sudden reversal remains unclear. The TSA did not immediately return requests for comment from The Points Guy regarding the halt. The agency’s Gateside website still states that the program “will roll out to more airports across the country in the coming months,” creating a contradiction between the current operational reality and the published timeline.
While the Gateside program is unique in allowing non-passengers to use TSA PreCheck lanes, other U.S. airports offer their own versions of gate passes. At those locations, non-travelers must still go through the main security checkpoint and cannot use the expedited PreCheck lanes.
The indefinite pause affects the broader rollout of the initiative. Travelers and non-travelers alike will need to wait for further updates from the TSA before the program can resume its planned expansion. The agency has not provided a new timeline for when additional airports might be added.
Source: The Points Guy
