The practice of requiring airline passengers to remove their shoes at checkpoints has frequently drawn complaints due to inconvenience, slower processing lines and perceived burdens on travelers. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed that the agency has started phasing out shoe removal for standard security lanes at certain airports in the US.
“An unexpected memo went out to TSA officers across the country last week stating the new policy will allow all passengers to keep their shoes on in all screening lanes at many airports across the country, starting Sunday,” ABC News reported. “Passengers who trigger the alarm at the scanners or magnetometers, however, will be required to take their shoes off for additional screening, according to the memo,” the media reported.
List of US airports where no-shoes requirement is expiring
The first airports in the US where the no-shoes requirement is expiring include Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Portland International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport and Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina, as per CBS News.
The TSA introduced the shoe removal rule in 2006, following the 2001 attempted bombing by Richard Reid, who tried to ignite explosives hidden in his shoes during a trans-Atlantic American Airlines flight, the Times reports. The incident led to the agency’s heightened focus on screening footwear for concealed threats, a measure that quickly became a staple of post-9/11 airport security procedures across the U.S.
Flyers with TSA PreCheck or a “known traveler number” do not have to take their shoes off, allowing them to bypass the security protocol at all domestic airports. In order to have PreCheck, travelers must submit an application and go through a clearance process with the Transportation Security Administration.
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Passengers have time and again reported frustration with the shoe-removal policy, citing discomfort and delays caused by the procedure during the security checks. The policy change could speed up security lines and make air travel more convenient and less burdensome for millions of US travelers each year.
The change comes amid reports that the TSA has let the security rule expire for fliers going through the standard TSA screening lines. In a statement to CBS News on Monday, TSA said the agency and the Department of Homeland Security “are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture.”
A TSA spokesman to the Times: “T.S.A. and D.H.S. are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture.” The spokesman added, “Any potential updates to our security process will be issued through official channels.”
Charlie Kirk, CEO and founder of conservative Turning Point USA on X, formerly Twitter, Monday: “No more taking off shoes at the airport. Now let’s privatize/abolish the TSA. Well done @Sec_Noem and President Trump!”
