From Travel & Leisure online magazine, located here.
Did the TSA End Its ‘Shoes Off’ Security Rule? Here’s What Travelers Should Know
The answer is complicated. By Michael Cappetta, Published on July 8, 2025
The TSA currently requires passengers to remove their shoes when going through a security checkpoint. Now, a new report claims the government agency has rolled back this mandate.
A significant disruption to travelers may soon be a thing of the past.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reportedly rolling back its “shoes off” policy at the security line for general passengers, according to online travel sites.
Travel newsletter Gate Access claims that the TSA will soon allow all passengers to keep their shoes on during the security checkpoint, which will reduce wait times and keep the lines moving more efficiently. “The change comes after years of public frustration over inconsistent airport experiences, long security lines, and a growing debate over the necessity of certain screening procedures,” according to the newsletter’s writer, and former TSA employee, Caleb Harmon-Marshall.
The TSA did not confirm the news or elaborate on the report. When asked for a comment, the agency told Travel + Leisure: “TSA and DHS are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture. Any potential updates to our security process will be issued through official channels.”
On Tuesday morning, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt seemingly confirmed this massive change in a post on X, calling it “big news” from the Department of Homeland Security.
On social media, some travelers shared personal experiences of keeping their shoes on through the security checkpoint. “The agents told me this is a new rule, and so long as your shoes don’t make the alarm go off, no need to remove them,” one traveler wrote on X.
This policy change is reportedly impacting select airports, so travelers shouldn’t assume their airport is one of them. According to The New York Times, New York City’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is among those that will now allow travelers to keep their shoes on.
The TSA has previously allowed certain passengers to keep their shoes on as part of the screening process. For example, travelers with TSA PreCheck membership could pass through security screening machines without taking off their shoes. Additionally, passengers aged 75 and older were exempt from removing their shoes during the security process.
The TSA has recently introduced a new program called “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease,” which provides free or discounted TSA PreCheck memberships to veterans and their families.”
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“The requirement to remove shoes at airport security checkpoints is being phased out by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This change is part of a broader effort to modernize security procedures and streamline the screening process. The “shoes-off” policy was initially implemented in 2001 after a foiled attempt to detonate explosives hidden in shoes. “
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, July 19, 2015:
