Airports have always been a bit of a hassle, with TSA security checks feeling like the ultimate stress test before you board. For nearly 20 years, the routine of kicking off your shoes, wrestling with bins, and shuffling through scanners in socks has been the American traveler’s rite of passage. But now, the Transportation Security Administration is shaking things up, scrapping the mandatory shoe-removal rule at select U.S. airports to save you time while keeping safety tight.
This game-changing shift, first spilled by Gate Access, a travel newsletter from ex-TSA officer Caleb Harmon-Marshall, comes thanks to some seriously upgraded tech. Back in August 2006, the shoe rule became a thing after Richard Reid’s “Shoe Bomber” flop, but today’s scanners are light-years ahead. With beefed-up imaging and explosive-sniffing powers, the need to ditch your shoes is old news. An internal TSA memo told officers to let passengers keep their kicks on during standard checks starting January 7, 2025, at certain airports.
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Travelers are totally stoked about this change. At places like Baltimore/Washington International, Fort Lauderdale International, and Philadelphia International, folks are zipping through security without touching their shoelaces. The rollout’s coming in hot, with some airports already on board and others still waiting for the green light.
What’s behind the change? It’s a mix of next-level tech and smarter risk calculations. Today’s scanners can peek through your soles like X-ray ninjas, spotting threats without making you unlace. The TSA’s also leaning on a risk-based vibe—low-threat travelers, like TSA PreCheck folks, have been skipping the shoe shuffle for years, and now the agency’s ready to bring that to everyone.
Not every airport’s ready to kick the shoe bins to the curb just yet. The phased approach means your mileage may vary depending on where you’re flying. Word is, hubs like Syracuse’s Hancock International and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International are already shoe-friendly, but big players like Chicago O’Hare or Dallas/Fort Worth might still have you kicking off those sneakers.
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