Before 9/11, families could walk to airport gates; 25 years later, it’s returning
The TSA is testing a pilot program called 'Gateside' at 13 U.S. airports, allowing non-ticketed visitors to access airport gates. This initiative reverses a post-9/11 security policy, provided participants have TSA PreCheck clearance.
Why it matters
This represents a significant shift in post-9/11 aviation security culture, potentially improving the passenger experience for families and travelers.
Before 9/11, families could walk passengers to airport gates; 25 years later a TSA pilot is bringing that back at 13 US airports for PreCheck membersPeople flying through Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona can now have family members or friends meet them at the gate, even if those visitors are not travelling themselves. According to Fox 10, the airport is among 13 in the US taking part in a pilot programme that allows eligible people to pass through airport security without having a flight ticket.The programme, called Gateside by TSA PreCheck, brings back an experience many American travellers remember from before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. At that time, people without tickets could travel through the airport and walk with passengers to the gate.That changed after 9/11, when airport security rules became much stricter. Access beyond security checkpoints was generally limited to people with a plane ticket.
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