Passengers at select U.S. airports no longer have to remove their shoes during standard security screenings. The change is being gradually rolled out, with travelers reporting relaxed protocols at airports in Baltimore/Washington, Fort Lauderdale, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Portland, Philadelphia and North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad.
On Monday, CBS News observed that airport staff did not require passengers to remove their shoes at Los Angeles International and LaGuardia airports.
What prompted the shoe removal rule?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) first implemented mandatory shoe removal in 2006 — five years after British national Richard Reid attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his footwear aboard an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami in 2001. Although the attempt failed, it led to sweeping changes in airport security, with shoe removal becoming a key component of passenger screening.
Why is the TSA changing the rule now?
While TSA has not made a formal announcement, the agency acknowledged in public statements that it is “exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture.”
The policy shift was first reported by internal sources and the industry newsletter Gate Access, which described it as a soft launch supported by updated screening technology.
Will PreCheck be affected?
Until now, only travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck — a program that requires a background check and an $80 fee — were typically exempt from removing their shoes. Extending the perk to standard screening lanes could diminish the value of TSA’s PreCheck program, which has long offered expedited screening as a key benefit.
TSA officials say new screening equipment now allows officers to detect threats without requiring passengers to remove their footwear.
Is the policy permanent?
TSA has not confirmed whether the relaxed rule will expand nationwide or remain limited to selected airports. Officials say the update reflects evolving threat detection capabilities and a renewed focus on improving the passenger experience.
