- TSA will end its long-standing rule requiring travelers to remove their shoes at airport checkpoints
- Gov. Kristi Noem announced the change, calling it a long-overdue step toward smarter security
- New technology allows for safer, more efficient screenings without the hassle for passengers
A big change is coming to airport security—and it’s one most travelers will welcome.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem revealed this week that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will soon end its decades-old policy requiring passengers to remove their shoes at security checkpoints.
“TSA will no longer require travelers to remove their shoes when they go through our security checkpoints,” Noem announced.
The shoe-removal rule has been in place since 2001, following the attempted shoe bombing by terrorist Richard Reid. Since then, Americans have grown used to the routine: empty your pockets, take off your belt, slip off your shoes, and shuffle through the scanner.
But with new technology and improved screening methods, officials say it’s time for a change.
While full details haven’t been released yet—including when the policy will officially take effect—travelers and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are likely to applaud the move as a step toward smarter, more efficient security.
Critics have long argued that the shoe rule was outdated and burdensome, especially for families, seniors, and people with disabilities. The change signals a shift in TSA’s approach—balancing safety with a more practical experience for the flying public.
Noem, a vocal supporter of personal freedom and common-sense government, praised the move as long overdue.
As the TSA rolls out these updates, many hope this is just the beginning of broader reforms to make air travel a little less of a headache—and a lot more reasonable.