While traveling is one of the most enjoyable activities, we all know how stressful navigating TSA checkpoints can be. Lengthy lines, emptying your pockets and, well, having to remove your shoes. However, a new policy change is allowing domestic travelers to keep their footwear on, as confirmed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Tuesday.
During a news conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Noem said the change to the nearly 20-year-old rule will go into effect for airports nationwide.
“We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience,” she said.
The change is expected to roll out in phases, but according to CBS News reporting, several airports have already begun allowing passengers to keep their shoes on, including Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The list goes as follows:
- Baltimore/Washington International Airport
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
- Fort Lauderdale International Airport
- Philadelphia International Airport
- Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina
- Portland International Airport
Why did you have to remove your footwear during security screenings?
The no-shoes rule was first mandated in 2006, influenced by the aftereffects of 9/11 and the 2001 “shoe bomber” incident, in which a passenger named Richard Reid attempted to detonate an explosive in his shoe on an American Airlines flight.
Travelers who were enrolled in TSA PreCheck already didn’t have to remove their shoes. With this new policy change, those without a Real ID–compliant form of identification may not be specifically required to take off their shoes.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said that other aspects of TSA’s security approach will remain in place, such as identity verification and Secure Flight vetting.