TSA suspends Gateside by PreCheck access at most airports
The TSA has rolled back its Gateside by PreCheck program, limiting the benefit to the original 13 airports after a brief expansion to dozens of additional locations.
The Transportation Security Administration has withdrawn the recently expanded Gateside by TSA PreCheck service, which allowed members without airline tickets to clear security and enter gate areas, restricting it again to the original 13 participating airports. The program, reintroduced in September at 13 sites and later extended to hundreds of airports, was discontinued within days without public notice, according to statements from several airports.
Denver International Airport confirmed that the service has been returned to the original 13 locations "for the time being," while officials at Norfolk International Airport said they learned of the change only after travelers reported that the airport no longer appeared in the online application portal. "We received a few comments on social media and emails from people who said they recently tried to apply via the TSA’s online portal but found ORF was not among the available airports," said Chris Jones, the airport’s chief marketing and communications officer.
The TSA had promoted the program as a way to facilitate reunions, layover visits and airport retail experiences, but the agency has not provided an explanation for the abrupt reduction in service. The Independent has reached out to the TSA for comment. Currently, online booking remains limited to the original 13 airports listed on the TSA website.