TSA Eliminates Shoe Removal Requirement at U.S. Airports
Air travelers can now keep their shoes on during security screening at U.S. airports. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officially ended the mandatory shoe removal policy on Tuesday, marking the end of a 22-year security protocol.
The shoe screening requirement began in December 2001 following the failed “shoe bomber” attack by Richard Reid. For over two decades, millions of passengers removed footwear daily at security checkpoints nationwide. The policy affected approximately 2.9 million travelers who pass through TSA screening each day.
Advanced screening technology drove this policy change. New computed tomography (CT) scanners can detect threats inside shoes without requiring removal. These machines provide 3D images that security officers can rotate and examine from multiple angles.
The rule change applies to all passengers regardless of age or TSA PreCheck status. Previously, only children under 12 and adults over 75 could keep shoes on during standard screening. TSA PreCheck members already enjoyed this convenience at participating airports.
Certain footwear may still trigger additional screening. Steel-toed boots, shoes with thick soles exceeding 1 inch, and footwear that sets off metal detectors could require removal for manual inspection.
The change represents the most significant shift in airport security procedures since TSA PreCheck launched in 2011. Industry experts estimate the new policy will reduce average screening time by 30 seconds per passenger, potentially saving hours of collective wait time daily.
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