Shoe Removal Requirement Scrapped at U.S. Airports

The Department of Homeland Security announced a significant change in airport security protocols on July 8th. Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer be required to remove their shoes during security screenings. This decision marks a major shift in procedures that have been in place for nearly two decades.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will immediately eliminate the shoe removal requirement at checkpoints across the country. This change follows a successful pilot program that demonstrated the effectiveness of existing technology in detecting threats without the need for passengers to remove their footwear. However, passengers may still be asked to remove their shoes if additional screening is deemed necessary.

The shoe removal requirement was implemented in 2006, in response to the 2001 attempted bombing by Richard Reid, known as the "shoe bomber." Since then, all passengers aged 12 to 75 have been required to remove their shoes for X-ray screening. Travelers enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program have long been exempt from this requirement, along with other screening procedures.

The TSA was established in late 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Over the years, the agency has implemented various technologies and policy changes to enhance both security and passenger convenience. Despite these efforts, security checkpoints remain a source of frustration for many travelers.

Recently, the current Transportation Secretary sought public input on improving the travel experience, acknowledging that the TSA is a frequent source of complaints. The current TSA Administrator role is vacant.