The TSA Just Changed a Major Rule — Here’s Why

In the United States, airline passengers are required to abide by the TSA’s rules and regulations, no matter how confusing or time-consuming they may be. But these security procedures are always subject to change, and in fact, the TSA just announced that it is doing away with a long-standing rule that many flyers found cumbersome. Even better: You won’t have to wait long for this change to take effect, as airports across the U.S. have already begun making the switch.

Keep Your Shoes On

In August 2006, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) instituted a new rule requiring all airline passengers to remove their shoes during the security screening process. This rule was enacted in the wake of the infamous “shoe bomber” Richard Reid, who tried and failed to ignite his bomb-filled footwear on a 2001 flight. The change in policy aimed to address concerns over other passengers potentially packing explosives into their footwear. 

But after nearly two decades of flyers going through the hassle of removing their shoes, the TSA is doing away with this rule. On July 8, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, whose department oversees the TSA, announced in a press conference at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., that the TSA will no longer require travelers to remove their shoes when they go through U.S. airport security checkpoints.

This is a notable shift from the TSA’s previous guidelines, which mandated that all flyers remove their footwear except in certain circumstances. One such exception was for those signed up for TSA PreCheck, an expedited screening program that allows trusted travelers to pass through security checkpoints without having to remove their shoes, belts, or laptops. If you weren’t signed up for that program, most flyers were left with no choice but to remove their shoes.

When Will the Change Go Into Effect?

While some changes in governmental agency policy can take weeks, if not months or years, to implement, that’s not the case here. The TSA is changing its shoe removal policy effective immediately, according to Noem. On July 7, even before the formal press conference, CNN reported that travelers at Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, New York, were allowed to keep their shoes on while passing through security. Of note, travelers may still be asked to remove their shoes for additional screening if they trigger any alarms or sensors. 

Why You No Longer Have To Remove Shoes

The TSA explains that this change is about improving the passenger experience, without compromising safety. In an official statement, Noem shared, “We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.”

The TSA says the change will have no negative impact on passenger safety. In her press conference, Noem said, “The key to our approach is layered security,” adding, “In those 20 years since that policy was put in place, our security technology has changed dramatically. It’s evolved.”

The enhanced security measures include the recent implementation of REAL ID, which allows TSA to verify each passenger’s identity and in turn flag potential risks. Many airports are also outfitted with advanced technology such as computed tomography, a scanning mechanism capable of producing detailed X-rays much like a medical CAT scan, allowing TSA officers to know exactly what’s passing through each checkpoint.