Skip this step at the airport and save time and hassle. TSA is rolling out a new policy that allows you to keep your shoes on at security.
An airport security policy that has been in place just short of 20 years is finally being dropped, much to the applause of airline travelers.
Airline passengers will no longer be required to remove their shoes, a change in security measures that may take affect as early as today. The new measures apply to all flyers, even those who haven’t been approved for pre-check.
This means all passengers, whether in general boarding, TSA pre-check, or Clear will be allowed to keep their shoes on as they make their way through security. Aside from the obvious benefits—not struggling to remove shoes; not having to walk in stocking feet, or worse, barefoot through security; and not having to re-shoe after security, the entire process should be faster and more efficient.
If you’ve traveled this summer, you’ve likely encountered long lines that snake their way slowly through security, so the new policy should alleviate some of the congestion, making for shorter wait times as you try to get to your gate on time.
While all airports will be enacting these measures soon, be aware that for now, you may encounter different policies at various airports across the U.S. As of today, you can leave your shoes on at LaGuardia, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Baltimore/Washington, Northern Kentucky, and Fort Lauderdale International airports. Additional airports will be phased in, the current expectation being that it’s TSA’s intention to have all airports on board with the new policy as quickly as possible.
It remains to be seen how this change will affect Pre-Check travelers, who paid $78 and were approved via application to forego some security measures at the airport. These travelers do still enjoy valuable benefits, such as keeping their electronics such as laptops in their bag and being able to wear jackets through security scanners. Of course, the biggest benefit of Pre-Check is enjoying shorter lines at the airport and faster movement through security.
Now all passengers can at least avoid the hassle of removing their shoes every time they go through security, a policy originally put in place after a British traveler, Richard Reid, failed in his attempt to blow up an American Airlines flight using explosives hidden in the sole of his shoe.