TSA revives pre-9/11 tradition with gate access for certain travelers without tickets
The Transportation Security Administration is allowing specific individuals without plane tickets to pass through security checkpoints to access airport gates. This initiative, which includes a program for families and those with TSA PreCheck, restores a practice that ended 25 years ago following the September 11 attacks. The program is currently active at 13 locations, including Dallas-Fort Worth and Detroit Metro airports.
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- ✓ The TSA is allowing some people without plane tickets to pass through security to access airport gates.
- ✓ The program is available at 13 airports, including Detroit Metro and Dallas-Fort Worth.
- ✓ TSA PreCheck now allows individuals to visit airports without a plane ticket.
- ✓ This policy revives a tradition that existed before the September 11 attacks.
What changed
The TSA launched a program allowing non-travelers with specific credentials, such as TSA PreCheck, to enter airport gates at 13 select airports.
Live updates
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TSA restores gate access for certain non-travelers
The Transportation Security Administration is allowing specific individuals without plane tickets to pass through security checkpoints to access airport gates. This initiative, which includes a program for families and those with TSA PreCheck, restores a practice that ended 25 years ago following the September 11 attacks. The program is currently active at 13 locations, including Dallas-Fort Worth and Detroit Metro airports.
Why it matters
Before 2001, it was common for non-travelers to accompany passengers to their gates. Strict security mandates implemented after 9/11 banned this practice to limit unauthorized access to sterile areas of the airport.
What is confirmed
- The TSA is allowing some people without plane tickets to pass through security to access airport gates.
- The program is available at 13 airports, including Detroit Metro and Dallas-Fort Worth.
- TSA PreCheck now allows individuals to visit airports without a plane ticket.
- This policy revives a tradition that existed before the September 11 attacks.
Still unconfirmed
- Tampa International Airport is among the first to join a new TSA Gold+ program and plans to move TSA operations to private contractors.
What to watch next
- Expansion of the program to additional US airports
- Detailed eligibility requirements for the family-specific access program
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (11)
- baynews9.com — Tampa International planning to move TSA to private contractors
- www.foxbusiness.com — National Security
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — TSA launches program allowing non-travelers past security
- The New York Times — TSA PreCheck Now Unlocks Access to Visit Airports Without a Plane Ticket
- AP News — TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11
- The Guardian — US airports to let some people without tickets pass through security
- NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth — TSA brings back gate access for unticketed people in DFW, 12 other airports
- Fox Business — TSA revives pre-9/11 tradition with gate access for certain travelers without tickets
- The Washington Post — TSA to allow gate access without tickets at some airports
- WSB-TV — TSA brings back pre-9/11 airport tradition with new program for families
- CBS News — TSA allows gate access for non-travelers at Detroit Metro Airport, 12 other airports
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