TSA May Finally Let New Yorkers Keep Your Shoes On At Checkpoints

As the summer travel season gets underway, there is news that the Transportation Security Administration has made a major rule change (allegedly). As a frequent traveler for most of my adult life, one thing I always disliked was taking my shoes off to go through airport security. First of all, I've never seen them mop the floors in any airport near security. Second, those nasty shoes go in the bins, which I then have to put my stuff in. Thankfully, I've had TSA Pre-Check for a couple of years, so I don't have to remove my shoes anymore.

KEEP READING: TSA Just Banned Costco Cards At Airports In New York

Is TSA Allowing Travelers' Shoes To Remain On?

Many news sites have been publishing articles about TSA supposedly reversing a 20-year-old rule. Word is, New York travelers will no longer need to remove their shoes as they head through TSA's security checkpoints. According to TSARule.com, TSA started making passengers remove their shoes in order to go through security checkpoints on August 10, 2006.

While it is widely being reported, I could not find a press release or anything else official from TSA that said the rule was revoked. As a matter of fact, as of 7:35 pm on July 7, 2025, the TSA website still says, "Before leaving for the airport, wear easily removable shoes." It also says that in the standard screening lane, "Remove your shoes and place them directly on the X-ray belt."

If the rumors are true, it's great news for air travelers in New York. However, I would proceed with caution and still expect to remove your shoes until an official notice surfaces.

UPDATE:

The change has been confirmed as official.

Get our free mobile app