TSA ends shoe removal rule at SFO and other major airports
A memo distributed to TSA officers nationwide last week outlined the policy change.
'The new policy will allow all passengers to keep their shoes on in all screening lanes at many airports across the country,' it states.
A spokesperson for SFO confirmed that the new procedures were in effect at the airport as of Tuesday morning.
The update marks the end of a rule that has defined air travel for nearly two decades.
The TSA began requiring passengers to remove their shoes in 2006, five years after Richard Reid attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes aboard a transatlantic flight in December 2001.
Until now, only travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck were typically allowed to keep their shoes on.
According to the memo, the agency plans to expand the policy to all U.S. airports soon. However, passengers whose footwear sets off alarms at scanners or magnetometers will still be asked to remove their shoes for additional screening.
'TSA and DHS are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture,' TSA public affairs said in a statement. 'Any potential updates to our security process will be issued through official channels.'
The White House Press Secretary called the change 'big news' in a post on the social platform X, sharing the report from the Department of Homeland Security.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
TSA Teases End Of Limits On Liquids In Carry-On Luggage
The Department of Homeland Security recently teased the idea of ending its limits of liquids passing through TSA airport security. getty Another major change may be coming to TSA airport security protocols as it considers ending another of its long-standing policies. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security teased the end of the limits on liquids coming through airport security, with Secretary Kristi Noem saying that she is 'questioning' the current limits on liquids and that a change 'may be the next big announcement' concerning the department's review of TSA policies. The statement comes on the heels of several other recent changes to TSA policies. For example, the department recently ended the requirement for travelers to remove their shoes, enhanced perks for military members, and created a dedicated family lane at security in select airports. No indication has been given as to what new rules might replace the current rules that are in place. Currently, the TSA limits the amount of liquid that can be brought through security in hand luggage to 3.4 ounces, and Noem did not specify how things would change. Would ending the policy mean that any amount of liquids would be acceptable? Or, would it mean an increase in the limited amount? The answer is unclear at the moment, as no further details have been provided beyond the tease. It's also possible that the rules go unchanged after further review. Noem wants new technology to fuel changes. Noem said that new advances in technology will hopefully change the way we view airport security in general, by allowing the TSA to maintain a high level of safety with less detailed rules and a more streamlined process overall. 'Hopefully the future of an airport, where I'm looking to go, is that you walk in the door with your carry-on suitcase, you walk through a scanner and go right to your flight,' Noem said. 'It takes you one minute.' The TSA's 3-1-1 liquids rule was originally introduced in 2006 (check out the full timeline here). The rule was introduced in response to an unsuccessful attempt by a passenger to detonate liquid explosives on a transatlantic flight. If a change does end up coming for the liquid limits, it will cement 2025 as a new era of TSA airport security, with two of its most long-standing measures —taking off shoes and taking out liquids—going by the wayside. For now, we wait and see.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
Donald Trump should be ashamed of betraying our Afghan allies
The United States owes the Afghan people who helped us in our failed 20-year effort to democratize and modernize their benighted country. Now controlled by the same Taliban who allowed the 9/11 plot to be hatched there, the Muslim extremist government continues to persecute anyone with ties to the United States. Faced with the dire situation in Afghanistan, Donald Trump's first instinct when he took office in January was to make it worse. Among the first things he did was to stop about 1,000 already vetted Afghan refugees from coming to the United States under the Special Immigrant Visa program meant to save our allies from Taliban retribution. Trump's refugee pause order caught at least another 15,000 Afghans in a bureaucratic limbo in Pakistan where that country was trying to get them to leave and the United States wouldn't take them while their paperwork was paused. Caught up in cuts, rules The move was the first of many. Secretary of State Marco Rubio disbanded the office set up to help our Afghan allies get to the United States. DOGE cut state department funding to fly those left destitute in refugee camps into the United States. Funds to help with resettlement costs were also cut. Others may be caught up in the rules for Trump's successor policy to the Muslim travel ban. Now Donald Trump is taking away another safety net for Afghans in the United States, potentially subjecting them to deportation to their Medieval homeland. For those who somehow managed to get to the United States before the paperwork for their refugee or CIV status was complete, the Biden administration offered Temporary Protected Status or TPS so they could stay while the bureaucrats and lawyers worked things out. Trump just ended that for about 8,000 Afghans who still haven't sorted their affairs, a challenge given that many fled their homeland just ahead of Taliban troops leaving identification and other important documents behind. It is not just those who worked with the U.S. military and the U.S. supported Afghan government who deserve our help. Others backed our efforts by grasping the freedom we offered. Some became independent journalists who can no longer work freely in Afghanistan. Others worked with U.S.-funded western charities rebuilding their country, ties that taint them in the eyes of the Taliban just as surely as work with the U.S. military. Women, who jumped at the chance for high school or college education, shouldn't be abandoned in a place where any sign of sentience is punished by Sunni virtue cops. History of mistreatment Trump is far from alone in leaving Aghans worse off than when he came into office. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama pushed, cajoled and ultimately forced Pashtun, Tajic and Uzbek militias, who had managed to keep themselves free of Taliban rule under the banner of the Northern Alliance, to either disband or become part of the Afghan military. When Joe Biden ultimately withdrew U.S. troops from Afghanistan, knowing full well that the U.S.-backed government might fall in a matter of months, these fiercely independent communities used to tribal self-rule were left defenseless. The mess that Afghanistan remains has plenty of responsibility for Republicans and Democrats alike. But Republicans who launched the invasion of Afghanistan bear a heavier burden. Once Republicans were fierce backers of protecting our allies. As much as Trump has betrayed the Afghans, he has betrayed what once were Republican principles, too.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
U.S. may change or get rid of liquid limit for carry-ons, U.S. Homeland Security secretary says
The days of cramming travel-sized shampoo bottles into plastic bags could soon be over. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hinted that the longstanding liquid restrictions for carry-on luggage could be lifted. During a conference hosted by The Hill in Washington, Noem said on July 16 that she was 'questioning everything TSA (Transportation Security Administration) does' and hinted at potential revisions to the rules governing liquids in carry-on bags. 'The liquids, I'm questioning. So that may be the next big announcement, is what size your liquids need to be,' Noem said at the conference. Her comments come about a week after she announced that passengers are no longer required to remove their shoes during regular TSA security checks, a change that went into effect immediately. Here's what you need to know about Noem's comments about liquid restrictions in carry-on luggage and why the rule was implemented in the first place. When did airlines start restricting liquids in carry-ons? In 2006, authorities foiled a plan to use liquid explosives smuggled aboard carry-on luggage to blow up planes. After the incident, the TSA banned all liquids in carry-on luggage. However, this ban was lifted after six weeks as it strained airline baggage systems, as more people were checking bags. The FBI, along with other laboratories, found that a tiny amount of substances, those being small enough to fit into a quart-sized bag, could not blow up a plane. After that, the 3.4-ounce limit — or 3-1-1 rule — came into effect. The rule stated that each container of liquid, gel or aerosol — whether it's water, shampoo or hairspray — must be 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, all containers must fit into one quart-sized (one-litre) clear zip-top bag, and only one bag is allowed per passenger. Since then, TSA checkpoints have borne the familiar rituals of chugging water and tossing oversized containers, and fights over what's considered a liquid or not. After the restrictions were introduced in the U.S., other countries quickly followed suit with similar rules. What does this mean for U.S. travellers? For now, it is unclear how or when any changes to the liquid restrictions might take effect. Noem has not provided details on what a new policy could look like, whether that means lifting the size limit entirely, or just expanding it. Until then, passengers should expect to keep following the existing 3-1-1 rule. Why is the U.S. considering changing this policy? The TSA has been exploring changes to its liquid rules for years, but with recent advancements in technology, it seems more possible than ever. Advanced computed tomography (CT) scanners are now being installed at security checkpoints across U.S. airports. These scanners generate detailed 3D images of the contents of carry-on bags and can automatically detect potential security threats, making it possible to carry bigger sized liquids through security. Currently, U.S. travellers will still need to abide by existing TSA liquid restrictions, but with these advancements in technology, and the U.S. willing to change their approach, travellers may soon find themselves packing a little more freely. 'Hopefully, the future of an airport, where I'm looking to go is that you walk in the door with your carry-on suitcase, you walk through a scanner and go right to your plane,' Noem said at the conference. 'It takes you one minute.' What could this mean for Canada? If the U.S. moves ahead with easing or eliminating its liquid restrictions, Canada may not be far behind. While Canadian travellers have not been required to remove their shoes for domestic or non-U.S. flights, those flying to the United States through pre-clearance areas have followed TSA protocols, including removing their shoes. Earlier this month, however, Canada aligned with the U.S. and dropped that requirement. This quick alignment suggests Canadian authorities could follow suit if the U.S. were to ease up on liquid restrictions. So far, there has been no official word from Canadian authorities on whether such changes are being considered. What are other countries doing? In the United Kingdom, several regional airports, including London City and Edinburgh, have begun lifting liquid restrictions, thanks to the rollout of advanced CT scanners. The new technology allows passengers to keep liquids and electronics in their bags during screening and permits containers of up to two litres. Similar changes are underway elsewhere. At Qatar's Hamad International Airport, select security lanes now let travellers leave liquids and laptops in their bags. This has also been made possible by upgraded CT scanning systems. In South Korea, major airports, such as Incheon and Jeju, are piloting the same technology on domestic routes, with plans to expand it more broadly in the future. Reddit X Share on Linkedin Open more share options Who is Richard Reid, the 'shoe bomber' who likely influenced the 'shoes-off' policy at U.S. airports? 'Keep your shoes on': Canada says it will align with U.S. on ending unpopular airport security measure Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
