TSA to end shoes-off policy for airport security screening
After nearly two decades of requiring airline passengers to remove their shoes for security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is finally phasing out this policy. According to sources from ABC News, TSA is planning to allow passengers to keep their shoes on when going through the general security line at many major airports across the country.
A memo was circulated to TSA officers nationwide last week, announcing the new policy that will allow all passengers to keep their shoes on in all screening lanes at select airports starting this Sunday. The agency aims to eventually implement this new policy at all U.S. airports.
Previously, only passengers in the TSA PreCheck line were permitted to keep their shoes on in most cases. TSA has been exploring innovative ways to streamline the security screening process and improve efficiency for passengers.
However, passengers who set off alarms at the scanners or magnetometers will still be required to remove their shoes for additional screening, as outlined in the memo. This marks a significant departure from the protocol implemented in 2006, which mandated all passengers to remove their shoes during security checks.
The initial shoe removal requirement was established in response to the attempted shoe bombing by Richard Reid on an American Airlines flight in 2001. Reid had concealed explosives in his shoes in an attempt to blow up the aircraft, but the plot was thwarted by vigilant passengers and crew members.
As this new policy takes effect, passengers can expect a smoother and more streamlined security screening process at airports. ABC News has reached out to TSA for further comment on this evolving change in security procedures.
