Big Change: You No Longer Have to Remove Your Shoes at TSA Checkpoints
Goodbye to one of the most annoying rituals in air travel. As of July 8, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has officially ended its nearly two-decade-old policy requiring most travelers to remove their shoes during security screening. This TSA shoes policy change marks a huge win for flyers—especially those without TSA PreCheck—who’ve grown tired of the bin shuffle and barefoot airport sprints.
👟 A Goodbye 19 Years in the Making
If you’ve flown anytime in the last 19 years, you probably know the drill: shoes off, laptops out, liquids bagged. For many travelers, the shoes-off rule was one of the most frustrating and time-consuming parts of the airport experience. It all started back in August 2006, in response to security concerns after the failed “shoe bomber” attack in 2001.
Since then, the rule became a staple of standard TSA lines, even while those enrolled in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry enjoyed the luxury of keeping their shoes on. But for the majority of flyers stuck in the regular line, the requirement remained an unavoidable hassle—until now.
In a press conference at Washington National Airport (DCA), U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem confirmed the change:
“We want to improve the travel experience while maintaining safety standards.”
While many travelers had already noticed a soft rollout—some flying through major East Coast airports without removing their shoes—Tuesday’s TSA shoes policy change announcement made it official: effective immediately, shoe removal is no longer required for most passengers.
💡 Why Did the TSA Shoes Policy Change?
There are two big drivers behind this move:
Improved Technology:
Thanks to upgrades in scanning equipment, TSA agents can now effectively screen shoes without making passengers remove them. These next-gen scanners are faster, more detailed, and capable of spotting potential threats without extra steps.Upcoming Travel Surge:
With record-breaking summer travel numbers and major global events like the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, the TSA is under pressure to streamline the screening process. This change is part of a broader push to move passengers through security faster while maintaining high safety standards.
👏 Airlines Are On Board Too
Airlines applauded the change. In a statement, Airlines for America—the trade group representing major U.S. carriers—called the decision “welcome news” for the millions of daily passengers and praised its potential to create seamless, secure travel.
⚠️ Are There Any Exceptions?
Yes, but they’ll be rare.
Secondary Screening: If you’re selected for additional screening—either at random or based on a specific concern—you might still be asked to remove your shoes.
Real ID Considerations: Passengers traveling without a Real ID-compliant license (or an alternative form of ID like a passport) may face more scrutiny at the checkpoint. But even in these cases, shoe removal isn’t expected to be standard practice anymore.
According to Secretary Noem, these exceptions will be “overwhelmingly minimal.”
🔭 What's Next for TSA Screening?
This isn’t the first time TSA has adjusted its policies due to tech upgrades. In recent years, they’ve started deploying computed tomography (CT) scanners that let passengers keep laptops and liquids in their carry-ons—across both standard and PreCheck lanes.
What about the much-hated 3-1-1 liquid rule? It could be the next domino to fall. Former TSA leadership has hinted that larger liquid allowances may be possible in the near future, as more airports upgrade their screening equipment.
So while we’re not there yet, one thing’s certain: airport security is finally catching up with the times.
🧳 What This Means for You
Here’s what you need to know before your next trip:
✅ You can keep your shoes on at TSA checkpoints
✅ The policy applies in standard screening lanes, not just TSA PreCheck
✅ You may still need to remove shoes during random or extra screenings
✅ The move aims to ease congestion during busy travel seasons and global events
✅ More tech-driven changes are likely coming soon
✈️ Final Thoughts
At Travel is the Point, our mission is to make your journeys smoother and smarter—whether that means staying updated on this TSA shoes policy change or helping you unlock incredible value through our Award Booking Service and Points & Miles Consulting. Let us help you travel better, for less.
