GateSide by TSA PreCheck lets eligible people visit the secure side of participating airports without a flight ticket. The pass is free. Apply one to three days before your visit and wait for approval before traveling to the airport.
Rollout update, October 17, 2026: TSA’s current page lists 13 airports. Bismarck Airport announced on October 15 that the expanded rollout was temporarily paused. An earlier airport announcement does not establish that you can apply there now.
Who can use GateSide by TSA PreCheck?
TSA lists PreCheck members and people with Known Traveler Numbers as eligible. A visitor can accompany someone to a gate, meet an arriving traveler or visit terminal shops and restaurants. Approval and airport availability still apply.
Use the official GateSide page and application link. CarryOnSizes does not collect applications, identity documents or Known Traveler Numbers. Submit that information only through the official process.
Which airports currently appear on TSA’s list?
We checked the following list on October 17, 2026. Confirm availability in the application before making a trip. Peak time restrictions or later changes can affect a visit.
| Airport | Code |
|---|---|
| Mesa Gateway, Arizona | AZA |
| John Glenn Columbus, Ohio | CMH |
| Dallas Fort Worth, Texas | DFW |
| Detroit Metropolitan, Michigan | DTW |
| Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower, Kansas | ICT |
| Indianapolis, Indiana | IND |
| Harry Reid, Las Vegas, Nevada | LAS |
| Los Angeles, California | LAX |
| Bill and Hillary Clinton National, Arkansas | LIT |
| Will Rogers, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | OKC |
| Eppley Airfield, Omaha, Nebraska | OMA |
| San Diego, California | SAN |
| Salt Lake City, Utah | SLC |
Why do other pages mention hundreds of airports?
The planned expansion and the currently usable list are different things. Bismarck’s October 15 notice says North Dakota airports were not selectable in the application. It specifically says visitors could not request Bismarck passes.
That is why we have not added every airport from earlier rollout announcements to the table. Richmond or another airport appearing in older expansion coverage is not enough. Check the live application for the airport you want.
How to apply for GateSide by TSA PreCheck
- Start at TSA’s official GateSide page and select Apply.
- Create or sign in to your login.gov account.
- Complete the application with your personal information and KTN.
- Select the participating airport and visit date within the one to three day window.
- Add children to the reservation where applicable.
- Submit the request and check your dashboard for approval.
Bring an acceptable form of ID and use the instructed TSA PreCheck checkpoint. Be ready to open the dashboard to show approval when children are included. An application submission alone is not an approval.
Can children come on a parent’s pass?
Yes. TSA says children must be entered on their parent or guardian’s reservation using the add visitor option. At the airport, show that everyone in the group is on the approved registration.
Do not assume that simply arriving with an eligible adult covers a child omitted from the application. Add the child during registration. Review the final approved visitor list before leaving home.
Is this the same as an airport visitor pass?
No. Some airports operate separate visitor programs with different eligibility and application windows. Tulsa’s airport explains that its TUL Visitor Pass is a separate option.
Its rules do not establish GateSide eligibility at another airport.
If GateSide is unavailable, look for the airport’s own official visitor pass page. Do not buy a service claiming to guarantee security access. An airline escort pass for a specific assistance need is another separate process.
What can a GateSide visitor bring?
Visitors still go through security screening. Check the liquids rules and any item restrictions before packing a welcome home gift. A visitor pass is not an exemption from screening.
GateSide by TSA PreCheck is useful when the airport, date and approved people match your plan. Recheck the official page before each visit. For broader changes affecting a trip, see our travel updates.