TSA Ends Nearly Two-Decade‑Long Shoe Removal Requirement

What’s Changed:
As of July 8, 2025, passengers flying through U.S. airports no longer must remove their shoes during standard TSA security checks. This policy update was confirmed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who said the change applies nationwide and is effective immediately.

Reason Behind the Shift:
The TSA initially implemented the shoe removal rule in 2006 following an attempted bombing in 2001. Secretary Noem cited recent improvements in security scanning technology, including new shoe-scanning systems, as enabling this policy reversal.

How It Works Now:
Most travelers can now maintain their shoes on when passing through standard screening lanes. However, TSA officers still retain the authority to request shoe removal for additional inspection if needed.

Impact on TSA PreCheck:
Previously, only TSA PreCheck participants—who pay an $80 fee for expedited screening—were exempt from removing footwear. With the policy change, that benefit is now universally applied. PreCheck members, however, continue to enjoy other perks such as keeping belts, light jackets, laptops, and certain liquids inside their bags.

Operational Benefits:
The Department of Homeland Security projects this adjustment will shorten wait times at security checkpoints and improve passenger experience, while maintaining rigorous safety standards.

Next Steps:
Secretary Noem indicated that the TSA is examining other screening requirements—like removing belts, jackets, laptops, and liquid restrictions—with pilots planned over the coming months to streamline the process further.

This update marks the end of the TSA's nearly 20-year mandate, simplifying an experience long viewed as a travel ritual. While most travelers will benefit, screening officers can still exercise discretion in individual cases.

Sources: Transportation Security Administration (tsa.gov), Department of Homeland Security press statements, and reporting from CBS News, ABC News, WLOX, and 10News