Two days ago, I was the first to write about a credible rumor that “all travelers, regardless of PreCheck status, will now be allowed to keep their shoes on during security screening.” Well, Kristi Noem, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, just confirmed it in a tweet just minutes ago.
Noem wrote on X, “Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports. We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience. As always, security remains our top priority. Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multi-layered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards. This initiative is just one of many the Trump administration is pursuing to usher in the President’s vision for a new Golden Age of American travel.”
The Transportation Security Administration TSA also tweeted a press release, stating the news.
The Shoes Off policy began on August 10, 2006, so the TSA could screen shoes for explosives after intelligence reports. This came five years after the failed shoe-bombing attempt by Richard Reid, who tried to ignite explosive devices hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami.
I think this is welcome news for most travelers because no one likes walking on those nasty airport floors with bare feet. I’ve had TSA PreCheck for over a decade and once in a great while I get flagged or I fly an airline that isn’t part of the program or I forget to add my Known ID number in my reservation and didn’t feel like going back to the counter to have an agent input it. So I would tiptoe with bare feet through the metal detectors or walk normally and then make a beeline to the men’s room to wash the bottom of my feet before Athlete’s Foot kicked in.
The only people I can’t see happy about this change are possibly those who recently paid for TSA PreCheck to get this perk.
KEEP READING
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–Travel hack: How to use your wireless headphones to watch in-flight movies,
