US ends ‘shoe bomber’ security check, travellers now won't have to remove footwear at airports

In a major relief to travellers, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Tuesday (July 8) declared that they won’t be required to remove shoes during security screenings at airports.

“I think most Americans will be very excited to see they will be able to keep their shoes on, and it will be a much more streamlined process,” Noem said.

However, she added travellers may still be asked to remove their footwear “if we think additional layers of screening are necessary,” adding that the requirement was just being deleted from the standard procedure.

History

In 2006, shoe removal became mandatory for security screening following Richard Reid’s unsuccessful “shoe bomber” attempt to down a Paris-to-Miami flight in late 2001.

Passengers aged 12 to 75 were then required to remove their shoes, which would be scanned with carry-on bags and items like outerwear.

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Those enrolled in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck programme, costing about $80 for five years, could previously bypass this rule. The programme allowed travellers to keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and bagged toiletries in their bags during screening.

PreCheck programme

PreCheck will remain the easier option for the time being since people going through regular screening stations still will have to put items besides shoes on a conveyor belt for scanning, Noem said Tuesday.

“TSA plans to review other rules and procedures to see how airport screenings can be simplified and expedited, she said. The agency is testing separate lanes for military personnel and families with young children, and expects to pilot other changes in the next six to eight months,” the secretary said.

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American federal authorities have recently adopted facial recognition technology and Real ID requirements to verify passenger identities. Despite regular travellers’ familiarity with airport security procedures, long lines during peak times and bags being flagged for items like forgotten water bottles can make the process challenging.