Summary
The Department of Homeland Security in the United States has removed the rule that required travelers to take off their shoes during airport security checks. This rule started in 2006 after an attempted attack involving explosives hidden in shoes. The change is meant to make airport security quicker and easier for passengers.
Key Facts
- The "shoes off" policy started in 2006 after a failed 2001 shoe-bomb attack by Richard Reid.
- People had to take off their shoes at airport security to check for hidden explosives.
- Travelers in the TSA PreCheck program, who passed a basic security check, did not have to remove their shoes.
- The recent change allows all passengers to keep their shoes on during screenings.
- The change aims to reduce wait times and ease the process at TSA checkpoints.
- Secretary of DHS Kristi Noem announced the new policy, citing that new technology makes it safe.
- Other security measures like removing belts, coats, and laptops at security checks will still be required.
