No More ‘Shoes-Off’ at Airports: TSA Changes Policy After 24 Years
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has declared an immediate end to its long-standing policy of requiring travelers to remove their shoes at airport security checkpoints. The announcement was made by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on July 8, 2025, thus concluding a rule that has been in effect since December 2001.
This policy was initially put into place following Richard Reid’s attempted “shoe bomber” attack on a flight from Paris to Miami in 2001. However, “TSA will no longer require travelers to remove their shoes when they go through our security checkpoints,” stated Noem, highlighting that this change is intended to enhance the travel experience while upholding safety standards.
The decision has been made possible due to the significant evolution of TSA technology over the past two decades. New scanners and enhanced security measures now provide multiple layers of protection. The agency anticipates that this change will reduce wait times and improve passenger flow at security checkpoints nationwide. While TSA PreCheck members have been exempt from shoe removal for some time, this policy change now extends to all domestic travelers.
Source: TSA Press Release