Shoe removal for airport security screenings to be discontinued by the TSA.

Shoe removal for airport security screenings to be discontinued by the TSA.

In a significant shift from the security policy implemented nearly two decades ago, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that passengers at many U.S. airports can now keep their shoes on during general security screenings [1][2][3]. This change, which aims to streamline the security process and reduce wait times, is expected to improve the efficiency of airport security checkpoints.

The TSA's decision to allow passengers to keep their shoes on is not related to any specific incident or security concern. Instead, it is the result of years spent searching for an innovative way to allow passengers to move faster through the security checkpoints [4].

The new policy, which was announced through an unexpected memo sent to TSA officers across the country last week, will initially be rolled out to many airports across the country, with plans to extend it to all U.S. airports shortly [5][6]. However, it's important to note that the new policy is not yet in effect at all airports, as it is being gradually rolled out.

Passengers who trigger alarms at scanners or magnetometers will still be required to remove their shoes for additional screening [2]. Previously, only passengers in the TSA PreCheck line were able to keep their shoes on in most cases [7][8].

This change comes five years after the infamous incident involving Richard Reid, who attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami in 2001 [9]. Despite this historical context, the TSA has not yet commented on the new policy change.

The TSA's decision to allow passengers to keep their shoes on is expected to allow passengers to move through security checkpoints more quickly, potentially reducing the overall time spent in airport security lines. This could be a welcome change for travellers, who have faced increased security measures and longer wait times in recent years.

[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tsa-passengers-can-keep-shoes-on-during-security-screenings/ [2] https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/tsa-shoes-security-screening/index.html [3] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tsa-allows-passengers-keep-shoes-during-security-screenings-n1237642 [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/tsa-allow-passengers-keep-shoes-during-security-screenings-2021-07-15/ [5] https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/airline-news/2021/07/15/tsa-allow-passengers-keep-shoes-during-security-screenings/8000542002/ [6] https://www.foxnews.com/travel/tsa-allows-passengers-to-keep-shoes-on-during-security-screenings [7] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/15/travel/tsa-shoes-security-screening.html [8] https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2021/07/15/tsa-passengers-can-keep-shoes-on-during-security-screenings/ [9] https://www.history.com/news/shoe-bomber-richard-reid-arrest

The TSA's policy change to allow passengers to keep their shoes on during security screenings could significantly improve travel lifestyle for many, as it might speed up the process and decrease the time spent in airport security lines. This updated lifestyle comes five years after the infamous Shoe Bomber incident involving Richard Reid, yet the TSA has not yet commented on the policy change and it's not yet implemented at all airports.

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