TSA suspends Gateside program expansion to 300 airports

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has indefinitely suspended the expansion of its Gateside program, which allows TSA PreCheck members to escort friends and family to airport gates. While the program was recently listed as available at hundreds of airports within the application, the TSA has informed airports that the expansion is on hold, leaving only the original 13 pilot locations active.

The original pilot locations include Dallas–Fort Worth, Detroit, Omaha, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Columbus, Los Angeles, Little Rock, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Wichita, and Oklahoma City. Under the program, eligible travelers could apply for access via Login.gov using their Known Traveler Number.

Reports indicated that the expansion faced implementation issues, including instances at Dallas–Fort Worth where approved visitors were turned away because checkpoint staff had not received training or could not locate approvals in the system. The TSA has not provided a reason for the suspension or a timeline for resuming the expansion.