Flying isn’t exactly known for being relaxing, and for the longest time, the shoe-removal routine at US airports has been a major irritant, with queues slowing to a crawl as travellers struggled with laces. Thankfully, that frustration is coming to an end.
Passengers at US airports will no longer be required to remove their shoes at security checkpoints, under a new policy announced on 8 July at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport.
This shoe removal rule was introduced in 2006, five years after Richard Reid (aka the Shoe Bomber) attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his footwear on a flight in 2001. Reid, an Al-Qaeda member, was overpowered by fellow passengers and is now serving a life sentence in Colorado.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said at the announcement, "In those 20 years since that policy was put in place, our security technology has changed dramatically. It’s evolved. TSA has changed. We have a multi-layered whole-of-government approach now to security."
She added, "We are very confident that we can continue to provide hospitality to folks and for American travellers and for those visiting our country, while maintaining the same standard of security for passengers and for our homeland."
While shoes can now stay on, other security measures will continue, including identity verification, Secure Flight vetting, and screening of liquids and electronics. These procedures were introduced after past threats such as the 2006 liquid explosives plot foiled by British authorities.
At least it’s one less delay before boarding.