In a significant transfer that’s certain to make air journey extra snug for thousands and thousands of passengers, the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) has formally introduced the tip of the “shoes-off” coverage at U.S. airport safety checkpoints.
Vacationers flying via home airports will now be allowed to maintain their sneakers on whereas passing via TSA screening, a change that marks the most important shift in airport safety protocol in over a decade.
The announcement was made in Washington by Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem, who described the brand new coverage as a part of a broader effort to modernize and enhance the airport expertise for vacationers throughout the nation.
“Ending the ‘shoes-off’ coverage is the most recent effort DHS is implementing to modernize and improve traveler expertise throughout our nation’s airports,” mentioned Secretary Noem. “Because of superior safety know-how and a layered screening method, we will preserve our excessive requirements whereas providing a extra seamless and dignified course of.”
What Vacationers Can Anticipate
Efficient instantly, home air vacationers now not have to take away their sneakers throughout TSA screening. The change will apply to all customary and TSA PreCheck lanes, although different safety necessities reminiscent of identification checks and Safe Flight vetting will stay in place.
In accordance with DHS, the coverage change is predicted to considerably cut back wait occasions at checkpoints and improve total effectivity at busy U.S. airports, particularly throughout peak journey seasons.
A Step Towards Extra Comfy Flying
Since its introduction within the early 2000s, the shoes-off requirement has been an usually dreaded a part of the American airport expertise. This replace alerts a shift in how the U.S. approaches airport safety: focusing extra on technology-driven screening and passenger ease with out compromising security.
The change follows a number of different latest enhancements in TSA coverage, together with:
The “Serve with Honor, Journey with Ease” initiative (July 2), which affords discounted TSA PreCheck enrollment and expedited lanes for uniformed service members and their households. REAL ID compliance enforcement (as of Might 2025), which has seen a reported 94% adoption price and improved identification verification processes.
Collectively, these updates replicate what DHS describes as a part of the “new Golden Age of American journey,” a imaginative and prescient led by the Trump administration aimed toward upgrading the journey infrastructure and passenger expertise.
In case you’ve ever fumbled along with your laces in a safety line or dreaded having to stroll barefoot via the checkpoint, it is a welcome change.
Whereas worldwide vacationers should encounter shoes-off guidelines overseas, home fliers can now breeze via TSA with their footwear on, saving time and enhancing consolation with each step.