The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is set to permit travelers to pass through security without removing their shoes, a policy shift from a mandate that has been in place for nearly two decades, according to reports from several sources on Monday.
This policy update has yet to be officially announced, and neither the TSA nor the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the agency, has confirmed this development.
A TSA spokesperson communicated via email to The Hill’s affiliate, NewsNation, stating, “The TSA and DHS continually seek new and innovative methods to improve both the passenger experience and our rigorous security measures. Any forthcoming changes to our security procedures will be communicated through official announcements.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to a CBS News report detailing the change by writing, “Big news from @DHSgov!” Tuesday morning on social media platform X, including a plane and shoe emoji.
The move was first reported Friday by Gate Access, a travel newsletter authored by Caleb Harmon-Marshall.
TSA has required travelers to take off their shoes when going through screening since 2006, based on “intelligence pointing to a continuing threat.”
The policy came into effect after Richard Reid attempted in December 2001, months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, to detonate bombs hidden in his shoes on an American Airlines flight scheduled from Paris to Miami.
He struggled to light the fuse, with crew members and passengers restraining him, according to the FBI. The plane was diverted to Boston and law enforcement took the man into custody.
Reid pleaded guilty to eight terrorism-related counts in October 2002 and was sentenced to life in prison.
