✈️ TSA Ends Long-Standing Shoe Removal Requirement – Effective July 7, 2025
In a surprise move that few travelers saw coming, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officially ended the requirement to remove shoes at airport security checkpoints starting July 7, 2025. This change affects most travelers, even those without TSA PreCheck, marking a major shift in post-9/11 security protocol.
👟 A Rule Rooted in History: The Legacy of the Shoe Bomber
The TSA’s shoe removal policy began back in 2006, five years after Richard Reid, infamously known as the “Shoe Bomber,” attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his footwear on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami.
The rule quickly became one of the most visible—and often ridiculed—security procedures for domestic air travel. Many joked that we were lucky he hadn’t hidden the device in his underwear—until, of course, that almost happened.
In 2009, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to ignite explosives hidden in his underwear aboard a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit. Thankfully, the attempt failed, and underwear-removal policies were never enacted.
🔐 How PreCheck Changed the Game
When TSA PreCheck launched, one of its biggest perks was allowing travelers to keep their shoes on. This small comfort quickly became a symbol of streamlined, less invasive airport experiences.
However, with new advanced screening technology being deployed across more airports, TSA now says most passengers can walk through security fully shod—no membership or fees required.
🧳 What to Expect at Security Now
- ✅ No shoe removal required for most travelers.
- 🚫 Shoes may still need to be removed during secondary screening or if you do not have a REAL ID.
- 💻 Laptops can stay in bags at some airports with advanced scanners.
- 💧 Liquids are still restricted to 3.4 ounces (100ml) in carry-ons.
While progress is being made with liquid detection scanners, the TSA doesn’t expect all U.S. airports to have them in place until 2040—so don’t ditch your quart-sized Ziploc just yet.
📢 Why This Change Matters
- Less hassle and faster screening.
- More equity for travelers who don’t have TSA PreCheck.
- Indicates TSA’s growing confidence in next-gen screening technology.
🤔 What Travelers Are Saying
Many flyers are celebrating this change as a long-overdue win for common sense and convenience. The shoe rule was often seen as symbolic rather than effective, especially with other threats evolving over the years.
But others are asking: If advanced scanners are safe for laptops and shoes, why can’t they detect liquids yet?
Final Thoughts:
The end of the TSA shoe removal rule is a major moment in the evolution of air travel security. It reflects how far we’ve come since the early 2000s and how advancing technology can help reduce unnecessary friction in the travel experience.
Still, many questions remain—particularly about liquid restrictions, REAL ID enforcement, and ongoing inconsistencies in the rules from airport to airport.
What do you think? Are you excited to keep your shoes on at the airport for good? Let us know in the comments.