One Less Hassle at the Airport: TSA Changes Longstanding Security Rule

No PreCheck? No problem! This TSA update applies to nearly everyone.

Well, this is a travel win I didn’t see coming: after nearly 20 years of awkwardly tugging off shoes in security lines, the TSA is finally relaxing its shoes-off policy for many travelers.

According to a memo first reported by Gate Access, TSA officers were told last week that passengers going through general security at several major airports will now be allowed to keep their shoes on. And now White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirms the change.

So far, airports like LaGuardia (NYC), LAX, Philadelphia, Baltimore/Washington, Northern Kentucky, and Fort Lauderdale are confirmed to be on board. The rest should follow in the coming weeks.

So yes, that means even if you haven’t splurged on PreCheck or Clear, you might finally get to skip the shoe shuffle.

Why Did We Ever Have to Take Our Shoes Off?

This policy dates back to 2006 and was originally implemented after a British man named Richard Reid tried, and thankfully failed, to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes during a 2001 flight from Paris to Miami. That incident changed air travel forever, ushering in the era of shoes-off security.

But with improved screening technology and nearly two decades of lessons learned, the TSA is now moving toward a more streamlined process, one that doesn’t require everyone to walk barefoot through an airport.

What This Means for Travelers

While this is great news for most travelers, it’s not quite a free pass. If you trigger an alarm at the scanner, you’ll still have to remove your shoes for additional screening. So maybe leave the steel-toed boots at home.

And it’s worth noting that while many airports are updating this policy now, others may take a little longer. If you’re flying soon, I’d still recommend wearing shoes that are easy to slip on and off, just in case. (I like my Mykos for travel days.)

However, this update should help move things along at security checkpoints, which have seen record-breaking crowds this summer. On June 22 alone, the TSA screened more than 3 million travelers in a single day, the highest number ever recorded for the agency.

So while shorter wait times aren’t guaranteed, this tweak should streamline the process a bit in the coming weeks.

Will This Impact TSA PreCheck?

If you paid for TSA PreCheck (like I did), you might be wondering what this means for you. PreCheck members still get several perks, like keeping laptops in your bag and jackets on, but yes, one of the biggest benefits is now being extended to everyone.

That said, PreCheck lines are still usually much shorter, and getting through security faster is never a bad thing, especially during peak travel season.

Bottom Line

Let’s be honest: the shoes-off rule was never fun. Between fumbling with laces and tiptoeing through those airport floors, it was always kind of gross and inefficient.

So this change might seem small, but for those of us who fly often, or just hate the hassle, it’s a welcome shift. Anything that helps speed up that process? I’ll take it.

Just make sure you’re not making this common in-flight mistake, which could now land you a surprise fine. And while we’re on the topic of air travel headaches, if only some airlines could get better at keeping track of our bags. Here are the 10 worst offenders for lost luggage.

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