New Airport Security Measures Eliminate Shoe Removal Requirement

Travellers rushing to catch flights at US airports will no longer have to take off their shoes during security screenings, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The change, which was announced on Tuesday at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport, is effective nationwide immediately. Noem stated that a pilot program has shown that the Transport Security Administration (TSA) has the necessary equipment to keep airports and aircraft safe while allowing passengers to keep their shoes on.

Noem explained, “In the 20 years since the policy was first implemented, our security technology has significantly advanced. The TSA has also evolved and we now have a multi-layered, whole-of-government approach to security. ” She assured that the same level of security for passengers and the homeland will be maintained while providing a more convenient experience for travelers.

While removing shoes is no longer a standard procedure, some passengers may still be asked to take off their footwear if additional screening is deemed necessary. Previously, all passengers between the ages of 12 and 75 were required to remove their shoes for scanning along with their carry-on luggage.

The requirement to remove shoes was first introduced in 2006, following the attempted shoe bombing by Richard Reid on a flight from Paris to Miami in 2001. However, those enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program, which costs $80 for five years, were exempt from shoe removal. This program allows passengers to go through security without taking off their shoes, belts, or light jackets, and without removing laptops and toiletries from their bags.

The TSA was established two months after the September 11, 2001 attacks, during George W. Bush’s presidency. The agency replaced the private companies that airlines previously used for security with federal airport screeners. Over the years, the TSA has continuously looked for ways to enhance security measures, including testing facial recognition technology and implementing Real ID requirements.

In recent decades, various attacks, both successful and thwarted, have resulted in stricter airport security measures. The September 11, 2001 attacks, where hijackers flew passenger jets into the Twin Towers in New York and the Pentagon, sparked significant changes in airport security protocols. With the introduction of new measures, such as the elimination of shoe removal, the TSA aims to provide a balance between safety and convenience for travelers.