No more barefoot boarding: 20 years later, US may say to flyers - keep your shoes on

In a significant move, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may allow travellers to keep their shoes on while going through general security lines at major airports in US.

According to a news report from ABC News, which cited sources, the change will take effect starting Sunday, with a nationwide rollout expected in the coming weeks.

This marks a historic shift in airport security protocol as the policy is being phased out 20 years after airline passengers were first asked to take off their shoes for security.

What changed?

Last week, TSA officials nationwide received an unexpected memo informing them that, effective Sunday, all travellers will be permitted to leave their shoes on in all screening lanes at numerous airports nationwide.

The document says that the new policy will soon be implemented at all US airports. In the past, the majority of the time, only travellers in the TSA PreCheck line could keep their shoes on.

A long-awaited step

For years, the transportation agency has been searching for a creative method to enable travellers to pass through security checks more quickly.

However, the document says that passengers will have to remove their shoes for further screening if they set off the alarm at the scanners or magnetometers.

Since TSA started forcing travellers to remove their shoes in 2006, this has been a significant change.

If enacted, it would terminate a security screening requirement that was established over two decades ago, following the unsuccessful attempt by "shoe bomber" Richard Reid to take down a flight from Paris to Miami in late 2001. According to the memo, all U.S. airports are expected to implement the adjustment in the near future.

Five years after Richard Reid attempted to use explosives in his shoes to blow up an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami, the policy was implemented. Reid was restrained by other passengers and the flight crew when the bombs failed to ignite.

Those who were enrolled in the TSA PreCheck program, which costs around $80 for five years, were able to avoid the additional security requirements. Through the program, travelers can pass through security checks without taking off their shoes, belts, or lightweight jackets.

The claimed change in security screening has not yet received official confirmation from the TSA.

“TSA and DHS are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance passenger experience and our strong security posture,” said a TSA spokesperson on Tuesday. “Any potential updates to our security process will be issued through official channels.”