25 years after 9/11: The new procedure at US airports
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is launching a new program allowing non-passenger visitors to undergo security screening and enter the secure gate area, 25 years after the September 11 attacks. The program, Gateside by TSA PreCheck, initially operates at 13 US airports.
The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is launching a new program called Gateside by TSA PreCheck, which allows non-passenger visitors to undergo security screening and enter the secure gate area at US airports. The program initially operates at 13 airports, including Los Angeles (LAX), Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, San Diego, Detroit, and Salt Lake City, with plans for expansion in the coming months. For visitors, this means they can accompany family members to the boarding gate, say goodbye just before the flight, wait for arriving passengers, or meet friends during a long layover. In some cases, they can enjoy restaurants and shops beyond security. However, entry is not automatic: an online application must be submitted one to three days in advance, receive approval, and present identification at the checkpoint. The approval is valid for one day and allows exit and re-entry on the same day, but during peak hours, the TSA may limit the number of visitors. The move marks a cautious return to the norm that was in place before the September 11, 2001 attacks, when family and friends accompanied passengers to the gate. The attacks led to a dramatic tightening of security procedures, and access to the secure area was almost entirely restricted to ticket holders. Now, more than two decades later, the TSA is reopening the door while maintaining strict screening procedures.