TSA quietly reverses benefit for travelers at some US airports
The Independent • • business
Key Points:
- The TSA's "Gateside by TSA PreCheck" program, which allowed members to access airport gates without a ticket, was expanded to hundreds of airports but has been abruptly rolled back to only 13 locations.
- The program, reintroduced in September and intended to revive pre-9/11 airport access traditions, was reversed within days without public notice, affecting airports like Denver International and Norfolk International.
- Some airports only learned of the rollback after passengers reported issues, with TSA removing these airports from the online booking portal, preventing new applicants from requesting passes.
- TSA had initially promoted the program as enhancing travel experiences by allowing easier access for welcomes, send-offs, and layovers, but has not provided a public explanation for the sudden contraction.
- Currently, the program is limited to the original 13 airports, and TSA has not responded to requests for comment on the changes.
