Finally: No more smelly feet, and no more worries about filthy airport floors—the shoes-off rule at airport security is over in the U.S., after nearly 20 years.
The rule, imposed in 2006 after a failed attempt by a passenger to blow up an airline with explosives in his shoes, has long been abandoned in most countries, although some have special rules for shoes containing metal. In the U.S., the rule has long been waived for travelers with PreCheck.
The change for the U.S. was announced by Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem, who told reporters that “Everything the TSA does and requires of travelers has always been necessary, but they have advanced over the years. We have made advancements in how we screen individuals.”
