No Need To Take Shoes Off Anymore At TSA: Yay!

Intro

Whether or not you have Precheck or Clear, going through TSA is never fun in an airport (apart from my niece, who finds it fun somehow lol). However, for those who have to go through the normal TSA line, you will be happy to hear that going forward, you will not need to remove your shoes anymore!

The Details

Back in 2006, after the UK liquid explosives plot, TSA mandated that travelers must begin removing their shoes and placing them on the belt to go through the X-ray scanner.

For about 7 years, travelers had no choice, until TSA PreCheck came about in December 2013, allowing those enrolled to keep their shoes on. Then, along came Clear, making the market even wider for those able to keep their shoes on and the laptops in their bag.

Don't worry, though, if you have FOMO, come to the Ivory Coast, where you still have to remove your shoes (and many other countries around the world)!

Just be aware, there is one exception to this rule. If you do not have a Real ID, you will have to remove your shoes due to the need for additional screening. However, with most people now traveling with a Real ID, this won't affect many people.

Keep in mind that even though TSA claims this is due to modern technology being able to detect threats better, the liquid rule should still apply for at least another 15 years. In my opinion, that isn't that big of an issue to me, but I know others will feel differently.

Final Thoughts

If you are traveling soon and don't have Clear or PreCheck, you might be in for a little bit of a surprise. TSA has revoked the rule of needing to take off shoes going forward, and this is a great step forward. Now, if only PreCheck could become the way forward for all flights, but can't ask for too much in life 😉.