'Keep your shoes on': U.S. airport security ends unpopular security measure
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is easing off the policy requiring travellers to take their shoes off for separate scanning while going through the airport security.
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Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (which oversees the TSA) made a formal announcement about the move during a press conference at Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington on Tuesday evening.
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She said that as of today, the TSA will 'no longer require…every single person' to remove their shoes when going through security checkpoints. She said this is an 'immediate nationwide rollout' of passengers being able to keep their shoes on.
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The aim of this policy shift, said Noem, is 'to improve the travel experience' while continuing to 'keep travellers safe.' She referred to several comments the administration has received expressing displeasure over the 'no-shoes' policy. And listed several marquee events that the U.S. will soon be hosting, as reasons for doing so, including the Olympics in Los Angeles, World Cup soccer matches, and events geared toward celebrating the 250th anniversary of America's independence.
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Noem says security technology has evolved significantly since the shoes-off policy was implemented almost 20 years ago. She said the TSA has 'evaluated the technology at every airport … It's been honed and it's been hardened.'
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She expressed confidence in the multi-layer security now in place, which involves different types of screening individuals, including the relatively new 'Real ID,' which encompasses any type of federally recognized identification. Meanwhile, she says the department is looking at even more advanced technology, for example, machines that would result in not having to interact with airport security officers.
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Meanwhile, it should be noted that any passenger who triggers the alarm in the scanner or magnetometer, will still be required by the TSA to take their shoes off for additional screening.
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So far, reports airwaysmag.com, the changes have been noticed in Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG), Portland (PDX), Philadelphia (PHL), and Piedmont Triad (GSO) in North Carolina. It says passengers at Los Angeles (LAX) and New York's LaGuardia (LGA) have also shared stories about being waved through while keeping their shoes on.
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