TSA Begins Allowing Shoes On During Security Screenings Nationwide

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has quietly begun allowing travelers to keep their shoes on during airport security screenings, ending a nearly two-decade-old rule implemented after the 2001 Richard Reid shoe bombing attempt. This policy shift, initially rolled out at major airports such as LaGuardia and Baltimore/Washington International, aims to improve passenger experience by speeding up security lines and reducing one of the most common travel frustrations. While the TSA has not officially announced the change, reports and traveler accounts confirm the soft launch of this more relaxed screening practice, which could eventually be implemented nationwide. The decision also reflects political pressure on the TSA amid broader criticisms of the agency, suggesting the rule relaxation is part of efforts to enhance the agency's public image. Passengers and social media users have welcomed the change, highlighting its accessibility benefits and expressing relief at the end of the shoe removal ritual. Despite the eased footwear policy, the TSA maintains that security standards remain robust through new technologies that detect threats without requiring shoe removal.