Nearly two decades after its introduction, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is set to discontinue the requirement for airline passengers to remove their shoes during security screenings. This policy change, which initially began in 2006, will allow travelers to keep their shoes on when moving through the general security lines at various major airports across the nation, according to two sources who spoke to ABC News.
An internal memo distributed to TSA officers nationwide last week outlined the new guidelines, which will take effect starting Sunday. While the agency plans to implement this change at numerous airports, previously only passengers enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program were permitted to retain their footwear during most screenings.
The TSA has been exploring innovative approaches to enhance the efficiency of security checks for passengers. However, those who trigger alarms at scanners or magnetometers will still be required to remove their shoes for further inspection, as per the new directive.
This substantial policy shift follows a long history dating back to 2001, when the TSA mandated shoe removal after the infamous attempt by Richard Reid to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami. Reid’s plot ultimately failed, thanks to the quick actions of fellow passengers and crew members.
ABC News has reached out to the TSA for further comments regarding this significant transition.
