EXCLUSIVE: TSA to End Shoe Removal Rule for All Travelers

A Gate Access Exclusive Alert • July 4th, 2025

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Happy 4th of July. I wasn’t planning to send this before Monday, but this exclusive couldn’t wait.

According to multiple credible sources, the White House is preparing to announce a major shift in TSA protocol: all travelers, even those without TSA PreCheck, will soon be allowed to keep their shoes on during airport screening.

This would be one of the biggest changes to TSA screening in over a decade and could dramatically reshape the airport experience as we know it. While the agency hasn't confirmed anything publicly yet, internal sources say updated guidance has already started circulating to TSA officers nationwide. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are reportedly being revised, with some officers being trained on when shoes can still trigger secondary screening.

So why now?

I think it’s politics, not security. A handful of lawmakers have recently ramped up criticism of the TSA, with some even floating the idea of dismantling the agency altogether. From complaints about long lines to inconsistent screening experiences, the pressure has been mounting.

And this shoe change? It feels like a direct response to that pressure.

But let’s not forget why we take our shoes off in the first place. In 2001, Richard Reid, now known as the “Shoe Bomber,” tried to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on a transatlantic flight. That single event led to the long-standing rule requiring shoe removal, a rule TSA has enforced for over 20 years.

Now, sources say the only travelers who won’t be able to keep their shoes on are those without REAL ID-compliant identification. (That’s the updated federal ID standard set to be enforced in 2025, requiring stricter proof of identity and residency.)

The change is expected to take effect as early as Monday, July 7th, although that timeline could shift depending on agency logistics or potential political backlash.

I’ll be tracking this story closely and will share updates as more information becomes available over the weekend. For now, dust off those socks and maybe reconsider that TSA PreCheck renewal, because if this is legitimate, which I strongly believe it is, the current model of TSA PreCheck is no longer valuable.

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