TSA PreCheck perk? DFW travelers can now walk loved ones to their gates

TSA PreCheck members will be allowed to see family and friends off post-security at DFW International Airport. Here’s what to know.

Sam Cohen

September 9, 2026

DFW International Airport is launching a new program to allow TSA PreCheck members to spend time with loved ones at their gates post-security. (Getty Images/Unsplash+)

Whenever my mom drops me off at the airport, I always wish I could have a few extra minutes with her before I head out on my trip. Being able to hug her outside of the car before I hustle inside to get into the TSA PreCheck line is great, but being able to keep hanging out with her at my gate until the flight starts boarding would enhance the experience tenfold.

Thankfully, DFW International Airport is offering TSA PreCheck members the option to do just that with a newly launched program known as Gateside.

It’ll be one of only 13 airports in the country adopting this new measure, which allows members with TSA PreCheck to accompany their loved ones beyond security checkpoints without having to buy a ticket to do so, or to meet travelers at their gate once their flight lands at DFW International.

TSA PreCheck officials said of Gateside, “As an exclusive benefit for our most trusted travelers, this new program makes it easier to return to the gate for welcomes and send-offs, meet friends during a layover, and enjoy dining and shopping along the way, bringing back the moments that once defined air travel.”

All TSA PreCheck members need to do is apply for a pass, using their known traveler number, for the day and time of their loved one’s flight. Passes must be applied for at least one to three days beforehand. The passes themselves are free, but becoming a TSA PreCheck member requires payment, which you can learn more about here.

Children are included on a parent or guardian’s pass, so you don’t need to apply for an extra one to bring the kiddos along for the journey. Just make sure you include their information on the pass reservation. Once you’re at the airport, you’ll need to login to your PreCheck member dashboard to show your approved reservation to TSA Officers at DFW International.

According to a spokesperson for TSA, Jessica Mayle, passes may be limited depending on how many have been requested per gate per day. She told KERA News, “During low-volume times they might allow a higher number of gate passes and then super-high volume times during the holidays they might limit to a really low number of day passes.”

How DFW was chosen to participate in TSA PreCheck Gateside

DFW International Airport has the distinct honor of being one of only 13 airports selected to participate in the pilot program for Gateside. To determine an airport’s eligibility, TSA looked into things like the number of passengers traveling through each airport and the size of the airport, among other factors.

When TSA spokesperson Jessica Mayle talked to KERA News about who the organization decided to include and why, she said, “DFW was just definitely a good test case. It’s a big airport. But I think there’s also a lot of fun stuff beyond the checkpoint there, and I think there might be interest from people in spending time there.”

She explained that if the program does well at DFW International and the other 12 airports, TSA will look into the prospect of expanding it across the country. “I can tell you we hope this program is very popular, but it’s never going to become so popular that it would interrupt or disrupt our operations and screening people efficiently who are flying that day,” Mayle told the outlet.

The airports currently set to participate in Gateside’s pilot program include: