TSA No Longer Requires Shoes Off at Airport Security: What Travelers Need to Know

After nearly two decades of awkward sock displays and the great flip-flop fumble of 2006, air travelers can finally breathe a sigh of relief—and keep their shoes firmly planted where they belong. The Transportation Security Administration has officially begun phasing out the infamous “shoes-off” policy that has haunted airport security lines since the Bush administration.

The End of an Era (And Embarrassing Sock Moments)

Starting this summer, passengers at select airports can strut through security checkpoints without performing the traditional shoe shuffle. No more hopping on one foot while untying sneakers. No more praying your socks don’t have holes. No more accidentally grabbing someone else’s size 12s from the bin.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the policy change, stating it will “increase hospitality for travelers and streamline the TSA security checkpoint process, leading to lower wait times.” Translation: fewer people doing the airport security limbo means shorter lines for everyone.

Where the Magic Is Already Happening

The shoe-freedom revolution has begun at several airports, including:

• Baltimore/Washington International Airport
• Fort Lauderdale International Airport
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
• Portland International Airport
• Philadelphia International Airport
• Piedmont Triad International Airport (North Carolina)

Eagle-eyed travelers have also reported shoe-optional screening at Los Angeles International and New York’s LaGuardia Airport. It seems the policy is spreading faster than rumors about airline food quality.

A Brief History of Sole Searching

Let’s take a moment to remember how we got here. The no-shoes rule was implemented nationwide in 2006, following the 2001 “shoe bomber” incident when Richard Reid attempted to blow up an American Airlines flight with explosives hidden in his shoe. What started as a reasonable security response became a nearly 20-year tradition of collective footwear removal that made airport security lines look like the world’s most stressful yoga class.

What This Means for Your Next Trip

Before you start planning your airport outfit around your fanciest lace-up boots, remember that this is still a phased rollout. The change appears to be a phased approach, so check your departure airport’s current policies before traveling.

If you’re one of those prepared travelers who already has TSA PreCheck, this news might feel like watching everyone else discover something you’ve enjoyed for years. PreCheck passengers have been living the shoe-on dream all along, along with keeping their laptops in bags and their dignity intact.

The Bottom Line

According to Secretary Noem, this change is part of efforts to “modernize and enhance traveler experience” while maintaining security through “cutting-edge technological advancements and multi-layered security approach.” Essentially, better technology means fewer clothing removals—a win-win for everyone except the sock industry, which might see a slight dip in emergency airport purchases.

So next time you’re rushing through security, take a moment to appreciate this small victory for traveler sanity. After years of the airport shoe shuffle, we can finally put our best foot forward—and keep it properly shod while doing so.

Safe travels, and remember: just because you can keep your shoes on doesn’t mean airport socks are completely obsolete. Better safe than sorry when it comes to airline blanket hygiene.