After more than 20 years, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will no longer force passengers in general security lines take off their shoes for screening.
Reports about this drastic (and long-awaited) change began to swirl over the weekend after TikToker and self-described former TSA Officer travelwiththeharmony first suggested it was coming, based upon an internal memo from the agency. Late Tuesday evening, the TSA confirmed it with a press release titled: “DHS to End ‘Shoes-Off’ Travel Policy.”
That means all travelers – with or without TSA PreCheck® – can keep their shoes on while going through security at airports nationwide. The agency said “cutting-edge technological advancements” allowed it to drop the policy.
“Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports,” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. “We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.”
Keeping your shoes on has long been a massive selling point of TSA PreCheck. And while this extends one major perk to all travelers, PreCheck-verified flyers still enjoy plenty of other benefits like a shorter line, keeping all liquids and electronics in your bag, and being allowed to wear both a belt and light coat through security.
It's unclear whether there will be any exceptions to the “shoes-on” policy change as initially reported.
Earlier reports suggested that travelers without a compliant Real ID may continue to face additional screening before their flights, including removal of their shoes. The additional screening has been in effect since the Real ID enforcement began in May, but only now has the TSA dangled the carrot of keeping your shoes on to upgrade non-compliant identification methods. The TSA did not reference that wrinkle in its Tuesday statement.
Regardless, the move should help speed up security lines in major airports. It ends a policy that began with a single incident more than 24 years ago.
That's when a man named Richard Reid boarded a flight from Paris to Miami with homemade bombs hidden in his shoes. According to the FBI, he tried but failed to ignite the fuse. When other travelers saw what he was doing, they restrained him before he could do any damage – he is now serving a life sentence in federal prison. After the incident, he was dubbed “The Shoe Bomber” and his actions on that day in December 2001 are why travelers had to remove their footwear during security screening all these years later.
There have been no other shoe-related incidences in the skies since the policy was implemented, which is likely why it's been sunsetted in 2025.
Funny thing, my wife and I both have TSA Pre check and every time except once we have had to take our belts off. Most of the time they are very rude when you say you have TSA Pre check and shouldn’t have to take off our belts. I don’t get it. LOL!!!