TSA Ends 20-Year Shoes-Off Airport Security Rule Nationwide

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has officially ended its long-standing rule requiring passengers to remove their shoes at U.S. airport security checkpoints—a major change after nearly two decades.

Announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference at Washington’s Reagan National Airport, the updated policy takes effect immediately and is expected to significantly reduce wait times at TSA checkpoints. Noem credited technological advancements in screening equipment for enabling this shift, calling it “a more streamlined and efficient experience for travelers.”

The shoes-off policy was first introduced in 2006, following the 2001 attempted shoe bombing by Richard Reid on a transatlantic American Airlines flight. Though Reid’s plot failed, TSA mandated shoe removal for nearly all travelers as part of enhanced security measures in the post-9/11 era.

While some passengers—such as TSA PreCheck members, children under 12, and seniors over 75—were already exempt from the rule, the policy remained a top complaint among flyers due to its inconvenience and impact on screening times.

The TSA clarified that while shoes may remain on during screening, other elements of its layered security approach remain unchanged. Passengers must still follow the 3.4-ounce liquid rule for carry-ons and may be required to remove electronics unless enrolled in PreCheck.

The agency also confirmed that Real ID requirements, implemented in May 2025, are still in force with 94% nationwide compliance.

Passengers wearing footwear with metal components or other anomalies may still be subject to additional screening. For most travelers, though, the end of this rule is a welcome relief.

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