TSA ends shoe removal at U.S. airports, citing advanced technology and improved security, enhancing passenger comfort and reducing checkpoint delays.

In a landmark shift to modernize and streamline airport security, the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has officially ended its long-standing policy requiring passengers to remove their shoes during security screening. This move, announced by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and hailed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as “big news,” marks the end of a policy that has been in place for nearly two decades.

Originally implemented in the wake of post-9/11 security anxieties, the shoe removal policy gained prominence after the failed bombing attempt by British national Richard Reid, infamously dubbed the “shoe bomber,” who in 2001 attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his footwear aboard a transatlantic flight. By August 2006, the policy had become standard practice across U.S. airports, symbolizing a new era of hyper-vigilant air travel security.

However, advances in security technologies have finally made the continued enforcement of this rule unnecessary. Secretary Noem stated that a “multi-layered security approach” and the use of “cutting-edge technological advancements” have allowed for a more comprehensive and less invasive screening process. She emphasized that this evolution in airport procedures will not compromise safety but will instead enhance efficiency. “We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience,” she noted on social media.

The transition began nationwide on Tuesday, with several airports already rolling out the new policy. Among the early adopters are Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, and Portland International Airport, according to CBS News. Additionally, BBC has reported that other major hubs such as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), LaGuardia Airport in New York City, Philadelphia International Airport, and Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina have also dropped the shoe removal requirement.

The decision has been met with widespread public approval, as removing shoes at checkpoints has often been viewed as both inconvenient and unhygienic. Travelers with mobility issues or families with young children have frequently expressed frustrations over the disruption and discomfort the policy caused. By eliminating this step, TSA aims to create a more seamless travel experience, particularly at a time when air traffic is rebounding to record levels.

Indeed, data from the U.S. Department of Transportation shows that over 1 billion passengers traveled through U.S. airports aboard more than 10 million aircrafts during the 2023 financial year. The scale and complexity of modern air travel demand not only robust security but also intelligent, adaptive systems that balance vigilance with practicality.

This policy shift may be indicative of a broader transformation in airport security philosophy. Rather than relying heavily on uniform, manual checks, the future appears geared toward dynamic, risk-based screening enhanced by data analytics and machine learning. The end of mandatory shoe removal may signal a new phase of smarter, passenger-friendly aviation security protocols.

While the transition may not be uniform across all airports immediately, the policy’s nationwide rollout is expected to be completed swiftly. As travelers step into terminals this summer, many will quite literally take a step forward—this time, with their shoes on.