TSA Gateside 2026: Can You Walk an Elderly Parent to the Gate?
7 Sep. 2026
Learn how TSA Gateside 2026 works, who qualifies, participating airports, how to apply, and how families can help elderly parents at U.S. airports
Quick Answer
Yes — at selected U.S. airports, some people who are not flying can now go through airport security and accompany a family member to the gate.
The new Gateside by TSA PreCheck program allows people who enjoy TSA PreCheck benefits to apply for access to the secure, post-security area of participating airports without holding an airline ticket.
For families helping an elderly parent or relative travel, this can be especially useful. An approved family member may be able to stay with the traveler through the airport, help locate the correct gate, wait with them before departure, or meet them at or near the gate after arrival where airport and security procedures permit.
There are important restrictions: you must qualify, apply in advance, receive approval, and use a participating airport. As of September 6, 2026, TSA’s published Gateside page names 13 participating airports. Because the rollout is new and changing, check the live TSA list before making plans.
The new program was also reported by KTLA 5, which highlighted TSA’s new airport-access benefit for trusted travelers.
What Is Gateside by TSA PreCheck?
Gateside by TSA PreCheck is a TSA program that gives approved non-ticketed visitors access to the secure side of participating U.S. airports.
Traditionally, unless you were flying or had a special airline-issued gate pass, you generally had to say goodbye to a traveler before the TSA security checkpoint. Gateside creates another option.
Once approved, eligible visitors can go through the applicable TSA screening process and enter the terminal beyond security even though they do not have a boarding pass. That can allow them to:
- Accompany someone to a departure gate;
- Meet an arriving traveller at or near the gate where airport procedures permit;
- Visit someone during a layover;
- Eat or shop in the secure area of the airport.
Official Gateside by TSA PreCheck information and application
Can I Use Gateside to Accompany My Elderly Parent to the Gate?
Potentially, yes — and this may be one of the most useful applications of the program.
Consider a common situation for families in the United States. Your 80-year-old mother is visiting from India. She has completed her stay and is now flying home.
You can help her check in and arrange her luggage, but after reaching security she may still need to:
- Clear the TSA checkpoint;
- Navigate a large terminal;
- Find the correct concourse and departure gate;
- Understand a gate change;
- Find a restroom or restaurant;
- Manage medications or carry-on belongings;
- Bommunicate with airline employees;
- Board at the right time.
For an experienced traveler, those tasks may seem routine. For an elderly traveler in an unfamiliar airport — particularly someone with mobility, hearing, vision or language difficulties — the experience can be very different.
Under Gateside, an eligible and approved family member could potentially remain with the traveler until much closer to boarding.
Important distinction: Gateside does not replace wheelchair or disability assistance
Gateside does not turn the accompanying person into an airline passenger, and it does not replace airline disability, wheelchair or passenger-assistance services.
For a parent who needs physical assistance throughout the airport or help boarding the aircraft, families should still contact the airline and request the appropriate service.
For some families, the best arrangement may be: family member + Gateside access + airline wheelchair or passenger assistance.
Does My Parent Need TSA PreCheck?
Not necessarily. The person using the Gateside pass is the person who needs to meet the Gateside eligibility requirements — not necessarily the traveler being accompanied.
For example:
| Person | Example |
| Parent | 82-year-old visitor from India traveling back to Delhi. |
| Adult child | Lives in California and has TSA PreCheck benefits. |
The adult child may be able to apply for Gateside access and accompany the parent through a participating airport even though the parent is the person actually flying.
Who Is Eligible for Gateside by TSA PreCheck?
The program is tied to TSA PreCheck benefits. TSA’s current Gateside page says people who enjoy TSA PreCheck benefits can apply. That can include eligible TSA PreCheck members and qualifying members of trusted-traveler programs such as Global Entry who receive TSA PreCheck benefits and use their PASSID as a Known Traveler Number (KTN).
Applications are generally made one to three days before the planned airport visit. Approval is not guaranteed, and availability may depend on airport capacity and operational conditions.
Once approved, the visitor must bring acceptable identification and still go through security screening.
Gateside does not mean “skip TSA.” A Gateside pass gives an approved non-traveler permission to enter the secure airport area; it does not exempt that person from screening or airport rules.
Can Children Accompany an Adult Using Gateside?
Yes. Current rollout guidance says children can accompany an approved parent or guardian, but they must be included on the adult’s Gateside reservation. Families should add every accompanying child when completing the request rather than assuming the adult’s approval automatically covers the entire group.
How Do You Apply for a Gateside Pass?
1. Confirm that the airport participates in Gateside. Not every U.S. airport currently offers the program.
2. Apply approximately one to three days before your planned visit. Use TSA’s official Gateside page.
3. Provide the required information. This includes the information requested by TSA and your applicable trusted-traveler/Known Traveler Number information. Add accompanying children to the reservation.
4. Wait for approval. Do not plan around Gateside access until the pass has actually been approved.
5. Bring acceptable identification. Your identity will still need to be verified.
6. Go through TSA security. Approved visitors must complete the applicable screening process before entering the secure area.
Apply / learn more on TSA’s official Gateside page
Which Airports Offer Gateside by TSA PreCheck?
As of September 6, 2026, TSA’s published Gateside page names the following 13 participating airports:
| Airport | Code |
| Mesa Gateway Airport, Arizona | AZA |
| John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Ohio | CMH |
| Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Texas | DFW |
| Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Michigan | DTW |
| Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, Kansas | ICT |
| Indianapolis International Airport, Indiana | IND |
| Harry Reid International Airport, Nevada | LAS |
| Los Angeles International Airport, California | LAX |
| Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport, Arkansas | LIT |
| Will Rogers World Airport, Oklahoma | OKC |
| Eppley Airfield, Nebraska | OMA |
| San Diego International Airport, California | SAN |
| Salt Lake City International Airport, Utah | SLC |
Because the rollout is new, some launch coverage has used different airport-count language. The safest approach is to rely on TSA’s current named list rather than an older headline or count.
Check the current Gateside list on TSA.gov
What If I Don’t Have TSA PreCheck or My Airport Doesn’t Offer Gateside?
Gateside is not the only way a family may be able to help an older traveler beyond the public side of an airport. The right option depends on the airport and the traveler’s needs.
| Situation | Best option to check first |
| You have qualifying TSA PreCheck benefits and the airport participates in Gateside | Apply for Gateside. |
| You do not have TSA PreCheck, but the airport has its own visitor-pass program | Apply for that airport’s visitor pass. San Diego’s SAN Pass and Seattle-Tacoma’s SEA Visitor Pass are examples. |
| Your parent genuinely needs mobility or disability assistance | Request airline wheelchair/passenger assistance. |
| Your parent needs a family escort beyond security | Ask the airline whether it can issue a gate or escort pass. Availability and rules vary by airline and airport. |
| You are meeting an international arrival | Plan to meet after CBP/customs unless the airport’s procedures specifically permit otherwise. |
Airport-specific visitor passes are separate from Gateside and can have different eligibility and screening rules. For example, San Diego’s SAN Pass does not require TSA PreCheck, and SEA operates its own visitor-pass program.
Can You Meet an Arriving Parent at the Airport Gate?
At a participating airport and with approved access, potentially yes. For international arrivals, however, there is an important complication.
International passengers may be routed directly through U.S. Customs and Border Protection immigration and customs processing before entering an area accessible to ordinary airport visitors. Therefore, do not assume that Gateside or another visitor pass will let you meet an international passenger immediately outside the aircraft.
The exact meeting point can depend on whether the flight is domestic or international, terminal configuration, immigration/customs routing, and airport security rules. For international arrivals, confirm the specific airport’s procedures before you travel to the terminal.
Do TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and CLEAR All Qualify for Gateside?
No. They are different programs and should not be treated as interchangeable.
| Program | Main purpose | TSA PreCheck included? | Gateside eligibility |
| TSA PreCheck | Expedited U.S. airport security screening | Yes | Yes, subject to Gateside approval and airport participation |
| Global Entry | Expedited U.S. customs/immigration processing | Yes, for eligible members | Yes, through qualifying TSA PreCheck/KTN status |
| CLEAR+ | Expedited identity verification at participating airports | No | No, not by itself |
| CLEAR + TSA PreCheck | Identity verification + expedited TSA screening | Yes, through PreCheck | Yes, through TSA PreCheck status |
TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck is the most direct route. It is a U.S. government trusted-traveler screening program. Approved members receive a Known Traveler Number and can use TSA PreCheck screening when eligible.
Learn about or apply for TSA PreCheck
Global Entry
Global Entry is operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and is designed primarily to provide expedited U.S. entry processing for pre-approved, low-risk international travelers. CBP confirms that Global Entry members are eligible for TSA PreCheck and can use their PASSID as the Known Traveler Number.
For frequent international travelers, Global Entry can therefore provide benefits on both sides of the journey: TSA PreCheck when departing the U.S. and expedited Global Entry processing when returning.
Global Entry — U.S. Customs and Border Protection
CLEAR+
CLEAR+ is a private identity-verification service. It is separate from TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. CLEAR membership by itself should not be assumed to make someone eligible for Gateside.
If you have CLEAR and TSA PreCheck, your TSA PreCheck eligibility is what matters for Gateside — not the CLEAR membership.
How Do You Get TSA PreCheck?
For many eligible U.S.-based family members, TSA PreCheck is the simplest route. The process generally involves applying through an authorized enrollment provider, providing required identity and eligibility documentation, completing enrollment and the required vetting/biometric steps, waiting for approval, and then using the assigned KTN for eligible travel.
Official TSA PreCheck information
How Do You Get Global Entry?
For someone who travels internationally regularly, Global Entry may be worth considering because qualifying membership also provides TSA PreCheck benefits. Applicants create a Trusted Traveler Programs account, submit an application, pay the applicable fee, undergo CBP review, and — if conditionally approved — complete the required interview process.
Once approved, a Global Entry member’s PASSID serves as the Known Traveler Number for TSA PreCheck benefits.
Apply for or learn about Global Entry
Should You Get TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?
If you rarely travel internationally, TSA PreCheck may be sufficient. If you travel internationally regularly, Global Entry may be more useful because qualifying membership combines expedited U.S. immigration processing with TSA PreCheck benefits.
CLEAR can be added separately if you value expedited identity verification at participating airports.
| An easy way to remember the difference CLEAR → identity verification TSA PreCheck → airport security screening Global Entry → expedited U.S. entry after international travel + TSA PreCheck benefits |
What Should Families Arrange Before an Elderly Parent Flies?
Getting Mom or Dad to the correct gate is only one part of preparing an older traveler for a long journey. Before departure, consider confirming:
| Travel issue | What to check |
| Passport | Validity and easy access during the trip |
| Visa/status documents | Any documents required for the journey |
| Medication | Enough medication for the trip plus reasonable contingency |
| Prescriptions | Medication names and dosage information |
| Emergency contacts | U.S. and home-country contact information |
| Mobility | Wheelchair or airline assistance if needed |
| Connections | Enough connection time between flights |
| Phone | Working roaming/SIM and important numbers saved |
| Medical history | Basic information readily available if needed |
| Travel medical insurance | Coverage dates, policy details and assistance number |
| Before leaving for the airport Confirm Gateside or visitor-pass approval. Confirm the correct terminal and departure gate. Request airline assistance if your parent needs it. Check the current TSA/airport access rules. For international arrivals, confirm where family members may meet the traveler. |
Why Gateside Is Only One Part of Planning Travel for an Older Parent
Gateside helps with one part of the trip: getting through the airport with someone your parent trusts. Families should still plan separately for mobility, medications, connections, emergency contacts and medical coverage.
Visitor medical insurance may help protect the traveler against eligible medical expenses arising during the covered trip. Gateside and visitor medical insurance solve different problems; neither substitutes for the other.
Families comparing visitor medical insurance should pay particular attention to policy maximum, deductible, comprehensive versus fixed-benefit coverage, age-related benefit limits, provider network, emergency medical evacuation, pre-existing-condition provisions, and acute-onset-of-pre-existing-condition provisions.
Do not assume that “pre-existing condition coverage” and “acute onset of a pre-existing condition” mean the same thing. Coverage varies by policy, age and plan terms.
OnshoreKare resources: Compare Visitors Insurance • Parent Visitor Health Risk Score™ • Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions • 2026 Travel Checklist for Parents Visiting the USA
Frequently Asked Questions About TSA Gateside
Can I go through TSA security if I don’t have a plane ticket?
At participating airports, eligible non-ticketed visitors can apply for approved Gateside access. Approval is required. Some airports also operate separate visitor-pass programs.
Is Gateside by TSA PreCheck free?
Current program information describes Gateside as a free access benefit for eligible participants; there is no separate Gateside pass fee.
Do I have to have TSA PreCheck?
You need qualifying TSA PreCheck benefits or eligible trusted-traveler status that provides TSA PreCheck benefits. Global Entry members are eligible for TSA PreCheck; CLEAR+ alone does not qualify.
How early should I apply for Gateside?
Current guidance says applications are generally made one to three days before the planned visit.
Can children come with me on a Gateside pass?
Yes, but children should be added to the approved parent or guardian’s Gateside reservation.
What if I don’t have TSA PreCheck?
Check whether the airport offers its own visitor-pass program, or ask the airline whether a gate/escort pass is available for your situation. If your parent needs mobility or disability assistance, request airline passenger assistance.
Can I accompany my parent onto the airplane?
No. Gateside gives access to the secure terminal area. It does not provide a boarding pass or permission to board the aircraft.
Can I meet an international visitor directly at the arrival gate?
Not necessarily. International passengers may need to pass through restricted immigration and customs areas first. Check the airport’s specific procedures.
Does Gateside replace wheelchair assistance?
No. Request mobility or disability assistance directly from the airline when needed.
OnshoreKare Travel Takeaway
TSA Gateside can be genuinely useful for families helping aging parents travel, but it should be treated as one option in a broader airport-assistance plan.
If Gateside is available and you qualify, it may let you stay with Mom or Dad until much closer to boarding. If it is not available, check for an airport visitor pass, ask the airline about gate/escort access, and arrange wheelchair or passenger assistance when needed.
For an elderly parent visiting the United States, think about the journey as a system: airport assistance + medication planning + emergency contacts + communication + sufficient connection time + appropriate visitor medical insurance.
Planning a U.S. Visit for Your Parents?
OnshoreKare helps families compare visitor medical insurance options for parents and other international visitors to the United States. Compare plans based on the traveler’s age, trip duration, medical needs, policy maximum, deductible and pre-existing-condition requirements rather than simply choosing the cheapest policy.
Compare Visitors Insurance on OnshoreKare
Try the OnshoreKare Parent Visitor Health Risk Score™
Sources & Official Resources
The KTLA article is the originating news source. TSA, CBP, airport authorities and CLEAR provide primary or official program information. Because Gateside is a new and changing program, use the official TSA page for the latest participating-airport list and application requirements.
| External Resource | Purpose | URL |
| KTLA 5 — TSA unveils exclusive benefit for most trusted travelers | Original news story | https://ktla.com/news/travel/tsa-unveils-exclusive-benefit-for-most-trusted-travelers/ |
| TSA — Gateside by TSA PreCheck | Official Gateside information and application | https://www.tsa.gov/precheck/gateside-tsa-precheck |
| TSA — TSA PreCheck | Official TSA PreCheck information | https://www.tsa.gov/precheck |
| CBP — Global Entry | Official Global Entry information | https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry |
| CBP — TSA PreCheck for Trusted Traveler Programs | PASSID/KTN and Global Entry TSA PreCheck eligibility | https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article1296 |
| CLEAR — CLEAR+ vs TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry | Official program comparison | https://www.clearme.com/support/how-is-clear-plus-different-from-tsa-precheck-or-global-entry |
| Mesa Gateway Airport — Gateside announcement | Official participating-airport rollout source | https://www.gatewayairport.com/pressrelease?id=225 |
| Wichita Airport — Gateside by TSA PreCheck | Official Wichita Gateside guidance | https://www.flywichita.com/no-boarding-pass-needed-gateside-by-tsa-precheck-comes-to-ict/ |
| San Diego International Airport — SAN Pass | Example of an airport-specific visitor pass that does not require TSA PreCheck | https://www.san.org/relax-before-you-fly/san-pass-program/ |
| Port of Seattle — SEA Visitor Pass FAQs | Example of an airport-specific visitor-pass program | https://www.portseattle.org/VisitorFAQs |
