Well, this doesn’t sock.
At long last, the Travel Security Administration (TSA) appears to be rolling back one of its most-hated airport security rules.
As of July 7, according to an internal memo reported on by numerous travel industry sources, passengers will no longer be required to remove their shoes at agency checkpoints.
The document is said to have cited technological advancements and a reevaluation of potential threats as deciding factors in the shoe statute’s reversal, One Mile At A Time stated.
The change is in fact being rolled out at airports across the country today, according to aviation insider blog View From The Wing.
Travelers who apply and are cleared for TSA Pre-Check have long been able to enjoy not walking on filthy airport floors in stocking feet, but now, the rest of us will be able to experience the sensation — for the first time since “Shoe Bomber” Richard Reid smuggled explosives on board in his footwear back in 2001.
Children under 12 and travelers above 75 were also previously exempt from the widely detested decree.
There are said to be caveats, however — passengers must be in possession of an approved, now-required Real ID document, and must not require special screening, according to reports.
A spokesperson for the agency would not confirm the rumors.
“TSA and DHS are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture. Any potential updates to our security process will be issued through official channels,” they told The Post.
The good news appears to have first been reported on by former TSA officer @travelwiththeharmony, in a now-popular a TikTok post.
Travelers took to the comments to share their thoughts on the potential new rule, and reactions ranged from excited to deeply disturbed.
“I’m sooooooo happy! This just changed my airport fit game,” rejoiced one fashion-forward flyer, and others were on the same page, looking forward to the more streamlined screening.
Meanwhile, another camp of passengers with long memories fretted over potential security implications the rollback would have.
And other frequent flyers were already betting on the next onerous requirement to be scrapped — for example, the large electronic removals policy, given the widespread implementation of more detailed x-ray screening technology.
Though, given recent awkward airport security moments like a woman who was pulled aside for having a rotisserie chicken in her bag, perhaps further changes are a little further down the line.
Aside from eliminating another humiliating airport ritual, the sudden shoe shift could also lead to increased efficiency — those who sport lace-up sneakers and employ the bunny-ear method will have to find another way to hinder fellow passengers.
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