In a major shift for American air travelers, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun phasing out its nearly two-decade-old policy requiring passengers to remove their shoes at airport security checkpoints. The quiet rollout of this change has already been noticed by passengers at several major U.S. airports, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of airport security.
The longstanding rule, which many considered a frustrating and unsanitary part of the travel process, originated in the wake of the infamous 2001 “shoe bomber” incident involving Richard Reid. However, as of July 2025, the TSA has allowed the shoe-removal mandate to expire for standard security lines, and airports across the country are slowly implementing the update.
Read the full CBS News report here.
Goodbye Barefoot Airport Walks
One stunned traveler at New York’s LaGuardia Airport shared her experience with the new policy shift, saying, “I flew through LaGuardia this morning and when I went to take my shoes off the TSA agent yelled at me like I was a crazy person doing something completely unexpected.”
The change seems to have caught many off guard — and not just travelers. According to CBS News, the policy has not yet been formally announced in a national press release, but multiple sources have confirmed the quiet but deliberate shift in TSA procedure.
Where You Can Now Keep Your Shoes On
The policy change is not nationwide yet. According to officials who spoke to CBS News, the new no-shoes rule is being rolled out in phases. Airports where passengers can now walk through security with shoes on include:
- Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)
- Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
- Portland International Airport (PDX)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in North Carolina
However, inconsistencies remain. CBS News correspondents observed that passengers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) were also allowed to keep their shoes on during routine screening.
This phased approach means that not all travelers will immediately experience the change, but signs are pointing to a broader national implementation in the coming months.
Why the Rule Was Introduced — and Why It’s Ending Now
To understand this new direction, it’s essential to revisit why the policy was enacted in the first place.
The shoe removal rule was implemented nationwide in 2006, five years after Richard Reid attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his sneakers during an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami in December 2001. Reid was subdued by passengers, and his plot failed, but the scare triggered years of heightened airport security measures.
Following the incident, TSA began encouraging passengers to voluntarily remove their shoes during screening. That eventually became a mandatory policy — until now.
So why the sudden shift? According to the TSA, the change is part of broader efforts to modernize the travel experience without compromising safety. In a statement to CBS News, the agency said:
“TSA and the Department of Homeland Security are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture.”
How This Affects TSA PreCheck and Real ID Requirements
If you’ve flown in the past few years, you’re probably already aware of TSA PreCheck, the expedited screening program that allows travelers to move through security with minimal hassle — including keeping on shoes, belts, and light jackets.
Travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck have long enjoyed the benefit of keeping their shoes on. With this new rule, that privilege is now being extended, albeit gradually, to those in standard security lines.
Still, TSA PreCheck remains a valuable option for frequent fliers. The TSA PreCheck cost is $78 for a 5-year membership, which includes a background check and fingerprinting process. Renewal costs are slightly lower, and the convenience of shorter lines and less intrusive screening continues to appeal to millions.
As the deadline for TSA Real ID requirements air travel approaches — currently set for May 7, 2025 — the government is also ramping up efforts to educate travelers about the need for compliant identification. To board domestic flights, passengers will soon need a Real ID-compliant driver’s license or an alternative such as a passport. The timing of this new no-shoes policy may align with broader security streamlining efforts in anticipation of increased passenger flow under the Real ID mandate.
What Does This Mean for the Future of TSA Screening?
The gradual phasing out of the shoe removal requirement could signal a new era of more intuitive and less intrusive airport security in the U.S. While officials haven’t provided exact metrics, advancements in technology — including enhanced scanning systems and behavioral detection techniques — may be allowing the agency to reduce reliance on outdated blanket rules.
Many frequent fliers are optimistic about the change, especially considering the health and hygiene concerns surrounding barefoot travel. The rule had long been criticized as both inconvenient and potentially unsanitary, with millions of passengers walking barefoot across security lanes daily for nearly 20 years.
Moreover, the move aligns the U.S. more closely with international security protocols, as many countries never adopted the mandatory shoe-removal policy.
What Passengers Should Expect Now
For the time being, travelers are advised to:
- Check with your departure airport to see if the new policy has been implemented.
- Listen to TSA agents at the security line — if they ask you to remove your shoes, follow directions even if you’ve heard about the new policy.
- Consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck to enjoy a smoother screening experience regardless of the policy’s status at your local airport.
- Stay updated on evolving travel requirements, especially related to the upcoming TSA Real ID enforcement deadline.
TSA Confirms Ongoing Evaluation of Rules
While the agency has not published an official press release about this change, a growing number of travelers have reported the shift firsthand. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt even weighed in on the development via X (formerly Twitter), calling it “big news” from the Department of Homeland Security.
For many travelers, it feels long overdue.
One comment from a flier captured the collective sentiment: “I always wondered why we were still doing that. It’s 2025 — we have facial recognition and biometric scanners, but we’re still walking barefoot through the airport?”
It seems that, finally, the answer is “not anymore.”
Conclusion: Welcome Change or Security Risk?
While most passengers are welcoming the change, some aviation security experts are urging a cautious approach. They warn that security needs to remain adaptable in the face of ever-evolving threats.
Still, with the expiration of this decades-old rule, the TSA is demonstrating a willingness to evolve and adapt to the needs and expectations of modern travelers.
As the rollout continues and more airports adopt the change, the era of the barefoot traveler may soon be just a memory — one many are happy to forget.
