It has been a normal part of flying in the U.S. for years—take off your shoes, put them in a bin, and shuffle barefoot through airport security. But now, after nearly two decades, that rule is finally changing.
Yes, you heard that right. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is officially starting to phase out the requirement for passengers to remove their shoes at security checkpoints. For many travelers, this is a welcome update that could make flying a little smoother.
Why did the TSA make people take off their shoes in the first place?
This all started after a failed terrorist attempt in 2001. Richard Reid, often referred to as the “shoe bomber,” tried to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes during a flight from Paris to Miami. Although he was stopped, the incident triggered a wave of new airport security rules.
According to the TSA’s own records, the shoe removal policy was not actually put in place until several years later. In 2006, intelligence pointed to an ongoing threat involving hidden explosives, which is also when the well-known 3-1-1 rule for liquids was introduced.
So, for nearly 20 years, taking off your shoes before boarding a flight has been a normal—but sometimes frustrating—part of the travel experience.
When will you no longer have to remove your shoes at airport security?
The change is not happening all at once. Right now, the TSA is rolling out the update in phases, starting at select airports.
- For example, travelers at Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, New York did not have to remove their shoes earlier this week.
- However, Chicago O’Hare passengers were still being asked to take off their shoes the next day.
There is no official nationwide rollout date just yet. A government source told CNN that the policy change is confirmed but will take time to fully implement across all airports.
What did the TSA and the White House say about the change?
While the TSA has not made an official public announcement, it did release a short statement saying:
“TSA and DHS are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture.”
The White House also weighed in. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called it “big news” from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
An internal memo shared by the blog Gate Access was the first to report the change, although the TSA has not yet confirmed that document publicly.
Will TSA PreCheck passengers still get any extra benefits?
If you are already a part of TSA PreCheck, you know that shoe removal has not been required for you for years. PreCheck members, who go through a background check and pay a fee, are usually allowed to:
- Keep their shoes on
- Leave laptops and small liquids in their bags
- Go through a separate, usually faster, security line
Even with the new shoe rule update, PreCheck will still offer these extra conveniences. So if you fly often, the program might still be worth it.
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