Travelers, rejoice — the days of awkwardly balancing on one foot at airport security are finally numbered. In a major shift, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Tuesday that passengers will no longer be required to remove their shoes when passing through TSA checkpoints at U.S. airports, ending a rule that’s been in place since 2006.
Standing at Reagan National Airport, Noem explained that upgraded security tech and “layered security” have made the dreaded shoe shuffle obsolete for most flyers. “We’re confident that the enhanced scanners, additional officers, and REAL ID implementation give us all the tools we need to keep Americans safe — with their shoes on,” she said.
The new policy kicks in immediately at airports nationwide. However, TSA agents can still ask passengers to remove shoes if an extra screening layer is needed. So don’t toss your travel socks just yet — but expect far fewer shoe bins clogging up security lanes.
PreCheck perks aren’t going away either. Travelers with TSA PreCheck will still breeze through with belts and jackets on and laptops snug in their bags — a perk that’s keeping its appeal despite the shoe rule rollback.
Noem teased even more changes ahead, hinting at pilot programs rolling out in the next six to nine months that could let travelers keep devices packed and interact less with officers altogether. Family lanes designed to make traveling with kids smoother are also expanding.
The airline industry is cheering the update. “This will make travel faster, smoother and far less frustrating for millions,” said Airlines for America CEO Nicholas Calio.
For now, frequent flyers can celebrate a small win: your shoes stay on, your line moves faster, and the journey gets just a little less stressful.
