Travelers passing through security at US airports may soon see a change in the requirement to remove their shoes, a rule that has been in place for nearly twenty years.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal on Monday (July 7th), citing sources familiar with the matter, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is rolling out new security procedures that will allow passengers to keep their shoes on during standard airport screenings.
This change was first reported by Gate Access, a travel website, but the TSA has not formally announced this news.
In a statement provided to the media, the TSA stated, “TSA and the Department of Homeland Security have been exploring new innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience while maintaining our strong security posture. Any potential updates to our security screening procedures will be announced through official channels.”
The Transportation Security Administration is a subsidiary agency of the Department of Homeland Security in the United States.
The requirement for passengers to remove their shoes during airport security checks was implemented after the “shoe bomber” incident in 2001.
On December 22, 2001, British terrorist Richard Reid attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris to Miami.
Reid’s shoes contained explosives made of PETN and TATP hidden in the soles and heels. However, his attempts to ignite the explosives with a match failed as the explosives and fuse became damp due to foot sweat, preventing ignition.
He was caught by flight attendants after multiple attempts to light the explosives. Reid, who stood 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighed 215 pounds, was subdued by flight attendants and other passengers.
Many passengers only realized the gravity of the situation when the captain announced an emergency landing at Logan International Airport in Boston.
After pleading guilty, Reid was sentenced to 110 years in prison without parole. He is currently serving his sentence at ADX Florence, a supermax prison in Colorado.
Following the failed airplane bombing, which occurred after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, airlines and airports remained on high alert for potential copycat incidents.
After years of debate, the TSA finally announced new requirements in 2006: passengers are required to remove their shoes during airport screenings due to ongoing threats, based on intelligence reports.
This rule has not been well-received by passengers, as it has led to long queues and discomfort for many who are unwilling to display their worn-out socks or, worse, walk barefoot over a short but awkward distance at security checkpoints.