TSA Lets PreCheck Members Meet Arrivals at LAX
The free Gateside program requires advance approval and can include a child traveling with an adult.
Travelers with TSA PreCheck can now enter security at select airports without a departing flight, making it possible to meet arriving passengers at the gate. One traveler tested the option at Los Angeles International Airport on September 18 while meeting his wife, accompanied by his son.
The application is completed online one to three days before the visit. Applicants provide their airport, date, Known Traveler Number and personal details, then check their account dashboard for approval. A child may be included with an adult’s request.
At LAX, the first attempt involved a short delay while a supervisor confirmed the reservation. Showing the approval screen was not enough; the traveler had to open the reservation online so staff could view both names. Once cleared, the pair reached the gate and avoided the uncertainty of a busy Friday evening pickup area. TSA’s program is intended for meeting or helping family members, rather than automatically providing lounge access. Travelers need their login available on a phone to retrieve the reservation at the airport.
- The LAX trial took place on September 18.
- Approval appeared in the account dashboard the following day.
- A supervisor verified both names before entry.
- Most lounges still require a departing boarding pass.
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