TSA has made a major change to its security at select US airports and it is set to be a massive time saver.
As many will already know, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the government agency responsible for security when it comes to the US transport systems.
And getting through TSA at the airport can often be quite a slow process, with long lines and particular policies that passengers need to follow.
However, the organization is switching up one of its rules for the first time in nearly two decades and it could be set to become a huge time saver when traveling.
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Passengers will no longer need to remove their shoes at certain locations during security checks at the airport.
This is according to a report by CBS News earlier yesterday (July 8), which revealed that TSA is phasing out its policy to require travelers to remove their shoes before walking through airport scanners.
In a statement, TSA shared that it is ‘always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture’.
So, which airports will be the first to see this policy change in action? The list includes Fort Lauderdale International Airport in Florida, Baltimore/Washington International Airport in Maryland, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Kentucky, Portland International Airport in Oregon, Philadelphia International Airport in Pennsylvania, and Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina.
Before this change, only passengers who had TSA PreCheck were able to keep their shoes on at airport security.
In order to get TSA PreCheck, you’ll first need to submit an online application before visiting an enrollment location for an interview, fingerprinting, document and photo capturing, and payment.
Once approved, you will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN), which you can add to your airline reservations.
The policy for removing your shoes at airport security became a nationwide rule in the US back in 2006.
This came after an incident in December 2001, just three months after 9/11, when a man named Richard Reid attempted to blow up an American Airlines flight that was traveling from Paris to Miami.
Reid hid the explosives in his shoes which he failed to detonate. Instead, the flight was able to land safely in Boston after passengers retrained Reid.
Afterwards, TSA started to ask travelers to volunteer to take their shoes off while going through airport security before implementing the rule five years later.