Latest news with #CalebHarmonMarshall
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Travel + Leisure
a day ago
- Travel + Leisure
Did the TSA Really End Its 'Shoes Off' Security Rule? Here's What Travelers Should Know
A major disruption to travelers may soon be a thing of the past. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reportedly rolling back its "shoes off" policy at the security line for general passengers, according to online travel sites. Travel newsletter Gate Access claims the TSA will soon allow all passengers to keep their shoes on during the security checkpoint, which will reduce wait times and keep the lines moving faster. "The change comes after years of public frustration over inconsistent airport experiences, long security lines, and a growing debate over the necessity of certain screening procedure," according to the newsletter's writer, and former TSA employee, Caleb Harmon-Marshall. The TSA did not confirm the news or elaborate on the report. When asked for a comment, the agency told Travel + Leisure : 'TSA and DHS are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture. Any potential updates to our security process will be issued through official channels.' On Tuesday morning, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt seemingly confirmed this massive change in a post on X, calling it "big news" from the Department of Homeland Security. On social media, some travelers shared personal experiences of keeping their shoes on through the security checkpoint. "The agents told me this is a new rule, and so long as your shoes don't make the alarm go off, no need to remove them," one traveler wrote on X. This policy change is reportedly impacting select airports, so travelers shouldn't assume their airport is one of them. According to The New York Times , New York City's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is among those that will now allow travelers to keep their shoes on. The TSA has previously allowed certain passengers to keep their shoes on as part of the screening process. For example, travelers with TSA PreCheck membership could pass through security screening machines without taking off their shoes. Also, passengers 75 years and older did not need to remove their shoes during the security TSA recently introduced a new program called "Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease" that provides free or discounted memberships to TSA PreCheck for veterans and their families.
New York Times
2 days ago
- New York Times
T.S.A. to Let Travelers Keep Their Shoes On, Ending Hated Rule
Travelers at some airports, including LaGuardia, may no longer need to undergo one of the most loathed requirements of security screening. For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Transportation Security Administration is letting people keep their shoes on. In recent days, the T.S.A. began dropping its requirement for travelers to remove shoes, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. The agency has not officially announced this change and did not confirm the new policy, which appears to be taking effect at airports across the country. 'T.S.A. and D.H.S. are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture,' a T.S.A. spokesman said. 'Any potential updates to our security process will be issued through official channels.' The change was first reported by Gate Access, a travel newsletter written by Caleb Harmon-Marshall, who says he is a former T.S.A. officer. He added that he had seen a soft launch of the new policy at an airport as well as an internal memo briefing officers about it. The new policy is good for passengers and is long overdue, Mr. Harmon-Marshall said in an emailed statement. He added that officers would now be able to screen travelers more swiftly. 'They should feel relieved knowing that technology has advanced so significantly that T.S.A. officers can detect threats while wearing shoes,' he added. 'In the old days, this wasn't the case.' The T.S.A. has been requiring passengers to remove their shoes since 2006, nearly five years after a terrorist tried to detonate an explosive in his shoe while aboard an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami. Travelers pay for the privilege for keeping their shoes on, one of the hallmarks of the T.S.A.'s PreCheck program, which costs roughly $80 for five years and grants expedited screening. Mr. Harmon-Marshall said in his statement that he believed a 'huge shift' was underway with the PreCheck program. The T.S.A. knows that allowing standard travelers access to perks like keeping on their shoes 'will significantly diminish the value of PreCheck,' he added. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2025.
