Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced a major policy change on Tuesday, allowing passengers to wear shoes during standard security screenings at U.S. airports.
The move, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem at a press conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), shows a significant shift from requirements introduced as part of broader security enhancements introduced since September 11, 2001, as part of the terrorist attacks that led to the establishment of the TSA. Since then, most passengers are expected to slip out of their shoes, often resulting in long lines and delays at security checkpoints.
Secretary Noem said that the improvements in technology will allow the TSA to remove the requirements and make the screening process smoother and faster for travelers.
“We expect this change to significantly reduce passenger waiting times at TSA checkpoints and lead to a more comfortable and efficient passenger experience,” said Noem’s secretary of sundown what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) calls the “shoe-off” policy.
“This will be a much more streamlined process,” she said at a press conference.
In May, the TSA began implementing actual ID requirements at US airports, and the requirements remained (the agency noted that since the rules came into effect on May 7th, a compliance rate of 94% has been occurring).
In a press release on the removal of shoe requirements, DHS said, “Other aspects of TSA’s security approach are still applied during the TSA checkpoint process.” For example, carry-on baggage still has liquid restrictions, and non-TSA Precheck members are often required to remove electronic devices from the bag when handing their belongings to the scanner.
Following the September 11th terrorist attack, shoe removal rules were implemented when the US government realized the need to significantly change national security, particularly in aviation. In response to these attacks, the TSA was created in November 2001 to oversee and strengthen security measures at the airport. This is a task previously managed by individual airlines and airports. The agency was tasked with implementing protocols to protect the country’s transportation infrastructure against terrorism.
In 2006, the TSA enacted a shoe removal policy following an attempt by British citizen Richard Reed to explode explosives hidden in shoes mounted on transatlantic American Airlines flights. Although the lead plot failed, the TSA determined that the shoe was a potential security threat, and shoe removal requirements became a standard part of the screening process. Similarly, another blocked terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives on a transatlantic flight in August 2006 was the driving force behind the TSA’s policy of limiting liquid substances in carry-on bags to less than 3.4 ounces.
To facilitate the screening process for specific travelers, TSA has introduced TSA Precheck. TSAPrecheck is a reliable traveler program where booked flyers can bypass shoe removal requirements, allowing you to pass background checks and pay $78 with privileges. Those over the age of 75 or under the age of 12 were also exempted. However, it has continued to be inconvenient for the majority of passengers.
Passengers whose shoes cause alarms will still be subject to additional screenings (such as shoes with thick metal buckles), but wider policy changes should be a welcome relief for many frequent flyers.
