TSA’s shoe removal policy was put in place in 2006|David Prasad|CC BY-SA 2.0

Flyers rejoice: from now on, passengers do not have to remove their footwear at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints, unless they are selected for additional screening.

The move announced by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on Tuesday ends a nearly 20-year policy. It was put in place in 2006, five years after Richard Reid, aka the shoe bomber, attempted and failed to detonate explosives hidden in his sneakers during a Paris to Miami flight.

Notably, people who have opted for TSA PreCheck (costing $78 for five years) have been able to keep their shoes on during screening.

Noem said the policy shift aims to streamline security operations and prepare for the surge in travelers expected during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.

In 2024, the TSA screened about 2.5 million travelers daily. Eliminating shoe checks may cut down wait times—currently averaging 27 to 29 minutes—according to a recent study.