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The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has officially ended its long-standing policy requiring travelers to remove their shoes at airport checkpoints. This change, effective immediately, aims to streamline the security process for those not using TSA PreCheck lanes.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the policy shift at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, stating, "We want to improve the travel experience while maintaining safety standards."
The shoe removal requirement was initially implemented in August 2006 as a security measure against explosives. It stemmed from concerns following a failed terror plot by Richard Reid, known as the "shoe bomber." Over time, travelers enrolled in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry could keep their shoes on during screening.
