Travellers no longer need to remove shoes at TSA airport security checkpoints
However, she cautioned that in some cases, passengers may still be asked to remove shoes 'if we think additional layers of screening are necessary.''We're focused on security, but also on making the passenger experience better,' Noem said. 'It's about time we stepped into the future of airport screening.'The policy ends immediately nationwide.The decision marks the most significant change to TSA protocols in years and comes amid growing pressure to make air travel less burdensome. Earlier this year, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy — appointed by President Donald Trump — posted on social media that 'TSA is the #1 travel complaint.' He later said he had discussed solutions with Secretary Noem.The travel newsletter Gate Access first reported that a change to the shoe rule was imminent. Until now, only TSA PreCheck members — who pay about $80 for five years of expedited screening — could keep their shoes on. The new rule extends that benefit to all travellers ages 12 to 75.The TSA, established in 2001 after President George W. Bush signed legislation two months post-9/11, began federalising airport screening. This replaced the private security companies previously used by airlines. A few years later, in 2006, the agency mandated the removal of shoes during security screenings, a direct response to "shoe bomber" Richard Reid's failed attempt to detonate explosives on a flight from Paris to Miami in late 2001.- EndsWith inputs from Associated Press
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First Post
a day ago
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US ends ‘shoe bomber' security check, travellers now won't have to remove footwear at airports
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem however cautioned that travellers may still be asked to remove their footwear 'if we think additional layers of screening are necessary' read more In a major relief to travellers, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Tuesday (July 8) declared that they won't be required to remove shoes during security screenings at airports. 'I think most Americans will be very excited to see they will be able to keep their shoes on, and it will be a much more streamlined process,' Noem said. However, she added travellers may still be asked to remove their footwear 'if we think additional layers of screening are necessary,' adding that the requirement was just being deleted from the standard procedure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD History In 2006, shoe removal became mandatory for security screening following Richard Reid's unsuccessful 'shoe bomber' attempt to down a Paris-to-Miami flight in late 2001. Passengers aged 12 to 75 were then required to remove their shoes, which would be scanned with carry-on bags and items like outerwear. Those enrolled in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck programme, costing about $80 for five years, could previously bypass this rule. The programme allowed travellers to keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and bagged toiletries in their bags during screening. PreCheck programme PreCheck will remain the easier option for the time being since people going through regular screening stations still will have to put items besides shoes on a conveyor belt for scanning, Noem said Tuesday. 'TSA plans to review other rules and procedures to see how airport screenings can be simplified and expedited, she said. The agency is testing separate lanes for military personnel and families with young children, and expects to pilot other changes in the next six to eight months,' the secretary said. American federal authorities have recently adopted facial recognition technology and Real ID requirements to verify passenger identities. Despite regular travellers' familiarity with airport security procedures, long lines during peak times and bags being flagged for items like forgotten water bottles can make the process challenging.
Indian Express
a day ago
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US airports end shoe removal policy at security screening
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has stated that travellers at the US airports will no longer be required to remove their shoes at the security checkpoint, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Tuesday, ending the infamous policy. For nearly two decades, the TSA had mandated that most US travelers remove their shoes during the security check. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt termed the decision as 'big news' by the Department of Homeland Security that runs the TSA. The new policy began its nationwide implementation on Tuesday and some of the airports which have already removed the requirement to remove shoes include international airports in Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale and Portland, reported CBS News. Ending the 'Shoes-Off' policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation's airports. We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient… — Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) July 8, 2025 It was in August 2006 when TSA laid down its policy which began making passengers remove their shoes to screen for explosives. The decision came nearly five years after the deadly 9/11 attacks and when a British man Richard Reid, who is known as 'shoe bomber', hid a bomb in one of his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami. According to data from the US Department of Transportation, more than 1 billion passengers flew through US airports in more than 10 million aircrafts in 2023 financial year. Secretary Noem, in a post on X, stated 'We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.' Detailing about the security measure, Noem added 'Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multi-layered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards.' Some of the airports which have dropped the requirement to remove shoes include Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport and Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina, a BBC report stated. The report further states that some other airports have also dropped the security measure of removing the shoes, namely Los Angeles International Airport and New York City's LaGuardia Airport.
