Airport footwear inspections might be abolished in the future within the United States.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is set to make a significant change to its security screening protocols, allowing passengers to keep their shoes on while passing through TSA checkpoints at U.S. airports. This change, which is expected to take effect on July 8, 2025, was announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference on Tuesday evening.
This policy shift is part of a broader effort to streamline the security process and reduce wait times while maintaining high security standards. The new policy will be implemented through advanced technology and a multi-layered security approach. The policy is already being phased in at several airports, including Baltimore/Washington International, Fort Lauderdale, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Portland International, Philadelphia, and Piedmont Triad International airports. Major airports like Los Angeles International and LaGuardia are also expected to follow suit.
The shoe-removal rule was originally implemented nationwide in 2006, following the attempted shoe bombing incident in 2001. Now, with improved technology and procedures, this rule is officially ending for standard security screening lines, while TSA PreCheck passengers have already been exempt from this requirement. Travelers who are 75 years old or older and those 12 or younger are also currently exempt from the shoe removal requirement at security checkpoints.
The TSA began in 2001, two months after the 9/11 attacks, with the aim of enhancing security measures at U.S. airports. Over the years, the TSA has continuously looked for ways to improve its security measures while making travel more seamless. This potential change would end a security screening mandate that has been in place for almost 20 years.
Trump's Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy had previously asked the public about ways to make travel more seamless. The TSA PreCheck program, which costs around $80 for five years and allows airline passengers to get through the screening process without removing shoes, belts, or light jackets, is one example of a security measure implemented by the TSA to achieve this goal. Facial recognition technology and Real ID requirements are other examples.
It is worth noting that the TSA replaced federal airport screeners that had previously been private companies. The change is expected to occur at all U.S. airports soon, although the TSA has not yet officially confirmed the reported security screening change. The travel newsletter Gate Access was the first to report that this security screening change is coming.
The TSA Administrator, David Pekoske, was fired by former President Trump in January during his second five-year term. Pekoske was reappointed by President Joe Biden, but the administrator position remains vacant according to the TSA website. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will host a press conference to discuss the new TSA policy in more detail.
Travelers can expect a more convenient and efficient security screening process in the near future, as the TSA continues to prioritise both security and traveler satisfaction.
The TSA's upcoming changes also extend beyond footwear, as they aim to implement this policy shift as part of a broader lifestyle overhaul striving for a more seamless travel experience. As travel resumes post-pandemic, this move could potentially revolutionize not just the news of airport security, but the overall travel lifestyle, making journeys less stressful and more enjoyable.
Furthermore, the TSA's upcoming focus on reducing wait times and enhancing passenger comfort also extends to their commitment to diversifying travel destinations, hoping to revitalize the tourist lifestyle by simplifying security checks and opening up more options for travel, including easier access to tropical getaways and cosmopolitan cityscapes.
