TSA Gateside: NRIs Can Finally See Parents Off

TSA Gateside lets families reach the airport gate

The hardest part of having your parents visit you in the States has always been the goodbye. Once at the airport, only the travellers have been allowed to enter.

This has long been a cause of heartache for NRIs with aging parents. Once in the airport, the parents have no support to deal with confusing immigration steps.

Precheck program’s TSA Gateside system is now all set to alleviate the pain of seeing one’s parents off. Available at 13 US airports, the program allows non-flyers to go past security, helping travellers and allowing a final goodbye.

This system is similar to pre-9/11 rules, which were later removed following the horrific attacks.

The special authorisation allows those eligible to access boarding gates. For desi families, this means that they can accompany aging parents to the gate, making the journey easy.

This is especially good for first-time US visitors, who are unfamiliar with the airport systems there. The program is available in most major airport in the US, including LAX, DFW, and Columbus.

The system needs a precheck membership and applying for a pass three days in advance.

Indian families no longer have to wait on a curbside, waiting for a call from their parents to ensure they have reached the gate. With TSA Gateside, they can be with them until right before boarding.