the staff of the Ridgewood blog
WASHINGTON, D.C. — July 2025 — After nearly two decades of requiring air travelers to remove their shoes at security checkpoints, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has officially begun phasing out the shoe removal policy at select U.S. airports. The update, already implemented at airports in Maryland, Florida, and Oregon, is expected to expand nationwide in the coming days.
👟 End of an Era: The History Behind the Policy
The TSA’s shoe removal mandate was first introduced in 2006, following the 2001 attempted bombing by Richard Reid, a British national trained by al-Qaida. Reid infamously attempted to ignite 10 ounces of nonmetallic explosives hidden in his shoes aboard American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris to Miami.
Although the plot was foiled, the incident highlighted gaps in airport security screenings—specifically, the inability of standard X-ray machines to detect certain explosive materials. As a result, the TSA quickly updated its protocols, making shoe removal mandatory for nearly all passengers.
🔧 Why the Change Now?
According to TSA officials, technological advancements in screening equipment have reduced the need for passengers to remove their shoes. While the agency has not detailed the specific innovations that prompted the policy change, many assume it relates to enhanced scanning systems capable of detecting threats without requiring physical item removal.
However, critics argue that this long-overdue policy change lacks transparency and may diminish the value of TSA PreCheck, a paid program that allowed expedited screening and exempted participants from removing their shoes, belts, and laptops.
✈️ What This Means for Travelers
The policy change is currently limited to a handful of U.S. airports, but the TSA plans to expand it across more checkpoints as part of a broader modernization effort. For now, travelers should check with their departing airport to determine whether shoe removal is still required.
The U.S. remains one of the few countries that enforced mandatory shoe removal, a policy not widely adopted internationally. Many travelers have long regarded it as an inconvenience with minimal security benefit.
🧳 Looking Ahead
While the decision represents a positive step toward more efficient airport security, many questions remain. Will the TSA eventually eliminate other screening requirements? What will happen to the value proposition of TSA PreCheck? And how will these changes affect wait times and overall traveler experience?
Stay tuned as the TSA continues to adjust to new technologies and changing global security standards.
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