# Non-Ticketed Visitors Can Now Meet Passengers at the Gate

> Twenty-five years after 9/11, TSA is launching a new program that lets trusted travelers go past airport security without a ticket.
- Title: Non-Ticketed Visitors Can Now Meet Passengers at the Gate
- Summary: Twenty-five years after 9/11, TSA is launching a new program that lets trusted travelers go past airport security without a ticket. TSA PreCheck members can…
- Keywords: tsa, travel, airports, security, precheck, news, Non-Ticketed, Visitors, Meet, Passengers, Gate, NPR
- Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/09/09/g-s1-142480/tsa-gate-access-25-years-after-9-11
- Published: 2026-09-09T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tsa, travel, airports, security, precheck, news
## Reopening airport gates
Twenty-five years after 9/11 restricted secure zones to ticketed passengers, TSA is allowing select non-ticketed visitors back into airport gate areas.

> bringing back the moments that once defined air travel
## Restricted to trusted travelers
The new "Gateside by TSA PreCheck" program is available exclusively to active PreCheck members and travelers holding a Known Traveler Number.
## How to get a pass
Eligible travelers must apply online one to three days before their visit. Approved passes are free, valid for one calendar day, and permit multiple re-entries.
## Initial launch locations
The program is starting at 13 U.S. airports, including Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, and Salt Lake City, with broader rollout planned in coming months.
## A return to tradition
Before the September 11 attacks, walking friends and family directly to their gates was standard practice. This program cautiously revives that pre-9/11 experience.
## Key takeaway

TSA PreCheck members can apply online 1 to 3 days in advance for free single-day gate passes at select airports.