Ending a widely disliked security measure by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
In a move aimed at enhancing the passenger experience and streamlining security processes, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently ended its policy requiring passengers to remove their shoes during airport security screenings. The policy shift, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, allows passengers to keep their shoes on during security checks at most U.S. airports.
The change is being implemented in phases, with several airports already allowing passengers to keep their shoes on, including Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Fort Lauderdale International Airport, and others. Previously, passengers in the TSA PreCheck line were often exempt from removing their shoes. Now, all passengers in general security lines can keep their shoes on unless they trigger additional screening.
While the shoe removal requirement is being phased out, other security measures such as identity verification and Secure Flight vetting will continue to apply. The switch appears to be taking effect at airports across the country. A source familiar with the matter confirmed to The New York Times that the agency has started dropping the shoe requirement.
Caleb Harmon-Marshall, a former TSA officer and author of a travel newsletter, Gate Access, reported the news first. Harmon-Marshall claims to have witnessed a soft launch of the new policy at an airport. He believes that passengers should feel relieved knowing that technology has advanced enough for TSA officers to detect threats while wearing shoes.
The TSA PreCheck program, which costs about $80 for five years and grants passengers expedited screening, may have played a role in the decision to end the shoe removal requirement, as passengers in the program were often exempt from the policy. The change is good for passengers and overdue, according to Harmon-Marshall, who stated that the change is good for passengers and overdue, according to The New York Times.
However, it's important to note that the TSA hasn't officially announced the change and didn't confirm it to The New York Times. A TSA spokesman stated that TSA and DHS are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and maintain a strong security posture. Any potential updates to the TSA's security process will be issued through official channels.
The ending of the shoe policy comes five years after a terrorist tried to detonate an explosive in his shoes aboard a flight. Despite this incident, the TSA is confident that the advancement in technology and security measures will ensure the safety of passengers.
[1] The New York Times, "T.S.A. to End Requirement for Travelers to Remove Shoes at Airport Security," 2023. [2] NBC News, "TSA to End Requirement for Travelers to Remove Shoes at Airport Security," 2023. [3] Gate Access, "TSA to End Shoe Removal for Airport Security Screenings," 2023. [4] TSA.gov, "What to Expect at the Security Checkpoint," 2023.
- The recent policy change in the transportation industry, spearheaded by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), not only eases the passenger experience but also simplifies security processes, as passengers are now permitted to keep their shoes on during airport security screenings.
- As the travel sector adopts a more modern approach, the shift from requiring passengers to remove their shoes during security checks to allowing them to keep them on spreads across various airports, like Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Fort Lauderdale International Airport, and others.
- In the realm of finance, the TSA PreCheck program, which costs approximately $80 for five years, granting passengers expedited screening, may have influenced the decision to end the shoe removal requirement, offering a more convenient and cost-effective travel lifestyle for passengers.
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