TSA Ends Nationwide Airport Shoes-Off Policy, Speeds Passenger Screening

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has ended its nearly 20-year policy requiring travelers to remove their shoes at airport security checkpoints, a change welcomed by passengers across the U.S. This update, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, follows a TSA pilot program demonstrating that advanced screening technology can maintain safety without the shoe removal requirement. Passengers at airports including Portland, Kansas City, Green Bay, and Chicago expressed relief and excitement, noting that keeping shoes on will speed up the security process and reduce inconvenience, especially for families and elderly travelers. Despite some lingering habits of removing shoes, TSA officials assure that the new shoes-on policy is just as secure. The change also drew cultural commentary, such as from 'The Daily Show' host Ronny Chieng, who highlighted the policy’s outdated nature and the leveling of benefits between TSA PreCheck members and regular travelers. Overall, this policy shift marks a significant modernization of airport security screening in the U.S., reflecting advances in technology and passenger convenience.