TSA will no longer require all passengers to take shoes off at airport security checkpoints

Washington CNN After nearly two decades passengers going through airport defense in the United States will no longer have to take their shoes off The Transportation Protection Administration will be phasing out the defense requirement a executive source familiar with the matter substantiated to CNN on the condition of anonymity The White House Press Secretary responded to the reports on X calling it big news from the Department of Homeland Safety An internal memo announcing the change which was first informed by the blog Gate Access was not officially proven by the TSA TSA and DHS are perpetually exploring new and innovative solutions to enhance the traveler experience and our strong assurance posture TSA residents affairs explained in a message Any prospective updates to our measure process will be issued through official channels Passengers flying out of Hancock International Airport in Syracuse New York did not have to take off their shoes on Monday CNN affiliate WSTM stated However on Tuesday morning at Chicago O Hare CNN affiliate WLS saw passengers still being sought to remove footwear In December Richard Reid who became known as the shoe bomber tried to use matches to ignite explosives hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami The requirement for passengers to take their shoes off at TSA safeguard checkpoints came nearly five years later due to intelligence pointing to a continuing threat an official TSA history notes following a foiled August terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives onboard transatlantic flights The TSA introduced its - - liquids rule for carry-on luggage in response Participants in the Trusted Traveler Plan TSA PreCheck have long been able to avoid removing shoes however they must submit to a background check and pay an application fee