One of the most loathed rituals in U.S. airport security — taking off your shoes — is going to be a thing of the past.
The Department of Homeland Security Tuesday confirmed what was initially reported by Gate Access via The New York Times: The Transportation Security Administration is beginning to quietly phase out mandatory shoe removal at standard airport security checkpoints.
"Ending the 'Shoes-Off' policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation's airports," U.S. Homeland 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. As always, security remains our top priority. Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multi-layered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards. This initiative is just one of many the Trump administration is pursuing to usher in the President's vision for a new Golden Age of American travel."
The change previously appeared to be in pilot mode at select airports, but at a wider scale is expected to reduce wait times in security due to the retirement of the shoe removal policy. However, other aspects of TSA's layered security approach will still apply during the TSA checkpoint process. Passengers must still clear identity verification, Secure Flight vetting, and other processes.
What This Means for Travel Advisors
While PreCheck still offers speedier lines and added perks, this update could make standard airport security just a little less miserable for your clients and easier for you to explain.
It also helps level the playing field a bit. For clients who don’t travel often enough to justify expedited programs, this is one less pain point to navigate at the airport. And for families, older travelers, or those with accessibility concerns, it’s a small shift that could make a big difference in the overall experience.
A Bit of Background
The shoe-removal rule dates to 2001, when British national Richard Reid tried to detonate explosives hidden in his sneakers during a transatlantic flight. For over two decades, passengers have had to take off shoes at security unless they were in PreCheck or fit certain age exemptions.
Now, as full-body scanners and improved threat detection technologies become more widespread, the TSA appears to be reevaluating which rules are still essential.
Bottom line: The era of sock-footed shuffles through security is going to be behind us. In the meantime, it’s a great time to give clients a quick airport tip and let them know they may not need to unlace on their next trip.
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