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TSA Lets Travelers Keep Shoes On in Pilot Rollout

A leaked memo reveals that standard passengers at eight major airports can now pass security without removing footwear to streamline screening with advanced scanners.

An air traveler places his shoes in a bin before passing through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security check at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on February 20, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The TSA recently launched a PreCheck program that allows those enrolled in a trusted traveler network to enter about 100 US airports through a special security lane where they dont have to take off shoes, belts and jackets or remove laptops, liquids or gels. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Image
FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2011 photo, an experienced airline passenger holds his shoes and has an unloosened belt while waiting to go through the Transportation Security Administration security checkpoint at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser, File)
FILE - In this Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, file photo, a belt and shoes sit in a trays with advertising that is being used in the safety screening of travelers done by the Transportation Security Administration, at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ann Johansson, File)

Overview

  • An internal TSA memo distributed last week authorized travelers to keep shoes on during standard security screening at BWI, FLL, CVG, PDX, PHL, PTI, LAX and LGA.
  • The new policy is part of a phased pilot ahead of a planned nationwide rollout that leverages upgraded imaging technology to maintain security.
  • Passengers whose footwear triggers alarms at scanners or magnetometers will still be required to remove shoes for additional inspection.
  • The TSA and Department of Homeland Security have not issued a formal announcement despite White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s public endorsement.
  • Expanding shoe-on screening to all travelers could reduce the value proposition of the fee-based TSA PreCheck program.