In a major relief for air travelers, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on July 8 that passengers will no longer need to take off their shoes during airport security checks.
“I think most Americans will be very excited to see they will be able to keep their shoes on, and it will be a much more streamlined process,” Noem said while confirming the change.
However, she clarified that the rule won’t apply in every situation. In some cases, security staff may still ask travelers to remove their footwear if they believe additional screening is needed. Therefore, this change simply removes shoe removal from the standard routine, not from all inspections.
Why Did the Rule Begin?
Back in 2006, authorities made shoe removal mandatory. The rule came in response to Richard Reid, also known as the "shoe bomber," who tried to bring down a flight from Paris to Miami in 2001 using explosives hidden in his shoes.
As a result, passengers aged 12 to 75 had to remove their shoes at checkpoints. Their footwear was scanned along with jackets and carry-on luggage.
PreCheck Made Travel Easier
Until now, travelers enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program could skip this step. The program costs around $80 for five years. It lets passengers keep on their shoes, belts, and light jackets. They also don’t have to remove laptops or toiletry bags.
On Tuesday, Noem explained that PreCheck will continue to offer faster screening. Meanwhile, those using standard screening must still place most personal items—except shoes—on conveyor belts.
More Changes Coming Soon
Moreover, TSA plans to improve the screening process further. “TSA plans to review other rules and procedures to see how airport screenings can be simplified and expedited,” Noem said.
Currently, the agency is testing special lanes for military personnel and families with young children. According to Noem, new pilot programs will roll out in the next six to eight months.
New Tech Already in Place
In addition, federal agencies have started using facial recognition and Real ID systems to confirm passenger identities.
Despite these updates, long lines are still common during busy travel seasons. Often, passengers face delays when they forget to remove banned items like water bottles from their bags.