Travel screening experience is streamlined while other policies are evaluated
TSA Acting Administrator Adam Stahl gives tips to Americans on flying as REAL ID enforcement kicks off
Stahl reminds Americans to show up early to the airport and bring additional forms of identification, if applicable, to the airport if they do not already have their REAL ID.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Tuesday the immediate end of the shoe-off requirement at TSA security checkpoints at every airport nationwide.
Sec. Noem made the announcement about the nearly 20-year policy while at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., in a press conference late Tuesday afternoon.
"In those 20 years since that policy was put in place, our security technology has changed dramatically. It's evolved. TSA has changed," she said at the presser.
TSA REVEALS THE SURPRISING REASON PEOPLE MIGHT SET OFF SECURITY ALARMS DURING SCREENING
"We have a multi-layered, whole-of-government approach now to security and to the environment that people anticipate and experience when they come into an airport that has been honed and it's been hardened," said Noem.
She added, "We took a hard look at how TSA does its business, how it does its screening processes, and what we do to make people safe, but also provide some hospitality as well."
TSA is ending its shoe-off policy in security lines at airports nationwide. (iStock)
The announcement was made in an effort to "make screening easier for passengers, improve traveler satisfaction and will reduce wait times," according to a TSA press release.
Some passengers may still be subject to a search of their shoes "if they get put into a different situation or need additional layers of screening."
Noem said the removal of liquids, coats and belts are also being evaluated, declaring that "the Golden Age of America is here."
The change comes as the U.S. prepares to streamline large events taking place across the country, such as the America250 events, the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup matches.
"The key to our approach is layered security. Passengers will still pass through multiple layers of screening," said Sec. Kristi Noem, above center. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
"We are very confident that we can continue to provide hospitality to folks, and for American travelers and for those visiting our country, while maintaining the same standard of security for passengers and for our homeland," she said.
"The key to our approach is layered security. Passengers will still pass through multiple layers of screening."
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TSA PreCheck and partners CLEAR, IDEMIA and Telos have kept passengers from taking their shoes off in security for a number of years — but the latest change would impact everyone traveling through main security lines.
Noem also cited the "fantastic success" of the implementation of REAL ID.
The shoes-off policy on airport security lines began in 2006. (iStock)
"I'd encourage all Americans to still go out there if you don't have your REAL ID yet. It does help us identify who you are and keep passengers safe."
This change comes as the Trump administration’s TSA looks to alleviate some of the hassles of travel.
Just last week, it began rolling out a new security lane exclusively for active-duty service members.
Preston Mizell of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
