U.S. travelers no longer have to worry about removing their shoes to go through standard airport security checkpoints, a change that will likely speed up screening for airline passengers.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem rolled out the policy change at an event at Washington Reagan National Airport on Tuesday, saying the Transportation Security Administration¡¯s layered approach to security allowed the update. The change takes effect immediately, she said, adding that she thinks travelers will be ¡°thrilled¡± about it.
¡°We¡¯re so excited that we can make the experience for those individuals traveling throughout our airports in the United States much more hospitable, more efficient,¡± Noem said, adding that streamlining the process is especially important as the U.S. prepares to host large events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Some travelers subjected to extra screening may still have to remove their shoes, she said, though she didn¡¯t specify the conditions.
The change, which Bloomberg reported Monday, extends a benefit already available to individuals who pay for TSA PreCheck to ordinary travelers. Noem said TSA is also evaluating other checkpoint requirements, including liquids restrictions and laptop removal rules, though no decisions have been made.
TSA¡¯s reversal on removing shoes ends a policy that has been for nearly two decades one of the most visible ¡ª and criticized ¡ª features of the post-9/11 heightened U.S. airport security system. Critics, who¡¯ve long dismissed the shoe rule as more security theater than actual security, have also faulted the policy for increasing wait times at security checkpoints at American airports.
Noem rejected the notion that shoe removal was security theater but said it¡¯s generally no longer necessary thanks to other layers of security.
The change also puts the U.S. in line with most other global aviation hubs including the European Union, Dubai and Singapore, which typically don¡¯t require travelers to take off their shoes when going through airport security.
The U.S. requirement to remove footwear was made mandatory in August 2006 ¡ª following a failed attempt in 2001 by ¡°shoe bomber¡± Richard Reid to ignite explosives packed in one of his sneakers on an American Airlines flight.
The plans were first reported by Caleb Harmon-Marshall, a former TSA officer and the creator of the Gate Access travel newsletter.
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