TSA Access For Non Ticketed Passengers in Albany

For the past 25 years anyone who needed to go to an airline gate needed a ticket to do so. Now, that policy is changing with the TSA. They're rolling out the Gateside program, which allows some non ticketed passengers to accompany people to their gate before they leave on a flight. This is something that hasn't been allowed since September 11, 2001.
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Albany International Airport

Who can go through TSA without an airline ticket?

This option will only be available to those who have TSA precheck. A person that is not in an eligible program will not be able to have access to this new program from the TSA. Passengers who also are part of other programs with Known Traveler Numbers may also have access to this. They will have to make a reservation with the airport and cannot go through unless approved.

Will new TSA Gateside program be at Albany International Airport?

Right now the hope is that the program will be coming to Albany International Airport once all the details are worked out. We reached out to ALB about this to find out exactly when they anticipate the program's arrival. Here's what Director of Communications, Matt Hunter, had to say:

We’re excited about the possibility of Gateside by TSA PreCheck coming to Albany International Airport. TSA is still evaluating the program, so there is not yet a timeline for when it could launch at ALB. Based on what we know today, participation will likely be limited to a relatively small number of travelers each day, and we would not expect it to have any meaningful impact on checkpoint wait times. We’ll continue working closely with TSA as the program takes shape and look forward to sharing more details when they become available.

As of September of 2026 this program has only been rolled out to 13 airports, according to NPR.