Overview
- The Gateside pilot, which launched in early September to let TSA PreCheck and Global Entry members use PreCheck lanes without a boarding pass, remains limited to the original 13 airports after a brief nationwide expansion was paused.
- Several outlets reported Friday that the program had quietly been available at roughly 300 additional airports via the TSA visitor-pass portal before the agency restored the list to only the initial 13 locations.
- Airport officials at places added in the expansion said they learned of the pullback from passengers or by checking the TSA portal rather than from direct notice from the agency, creating on-the-ground confusion.
- Operational rules for Gateside remain in place: passes must be reserved online 1–3 days ahead, require a Known Traveler Number, are valid only for a single calendar day with same-day re-entry, and cannot be used with Touchless ID PreCheck lanes.
- The TSA has not provided a public rationale or timeline for re-expanding the program, leaving travelers and airports waiting for guidance and prompting questions about staff training and rapid rollout procedures.