Can I keep my shoes on at CA airports? What to know about TSA screening change
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- TSA is phasing out shoe removal rule for travelers
- Airports in Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles made the switch
- TSA PreCheck still offers faster security screening
You’ll no longer have to slip off your shoes to pass through security at the airport, news outlets and travelers said ahead of an announcement Tuesday by U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The Transportation Security Administration will phase out the security screening requirement at airports across the nation.
Homeland Security officials said Noem would announce changes “that will make screening easier for passengers, improve traveler satisfaction and reduce wait times” at a news conference at Reagan National Airport at 2 p.m. Pacific time.
In California, the shoe removal rule was no longer being enforced at airports in Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles, news outlets including The Sacramento Bee, the San Francisco Chronicle and CBS Los Angeles reported.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt earlier confirmed the news, writing “Big news from @DHSgov!” in a post on X.
Here’s what you need to know:
Why did TSA start requiring travelers to remove their shoes?
The TSA started requiring travelers to remove their shoes when passing through airport security in August 2006 to “screen for explosives,” according to an agency timeline.
The move, which the TSA said was “based on intelligence pointing to a continuing threat,” came nearly five years after “shoe bomber” Richard Reid boarded an American Airlines flight with homemade bombs hidden in his sneakers, according to the FBI.
During the December 2001 flight, “Reid tried to detonate his shoes, but he struggled to light the fuse,” the FBI said. “Crew members and passengers noticed and restrained him.”
In 2002, Reid was sentenced to life in federal prison after pleading guilty to terrorism-related charges.
What do I have to do during airport security screening?
The TSA implements two types of security screening at U.S. airports: standard screening and TSA PreCheck screening.
“Standard screening requires that you remove all items and place them on the X-ray belt for screening,” the agency said on its website. “With TSA PreCheck, you are able to speed through security and don’t need to remove your shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets.”
During standard screening, travelers are asked to remove the following items from their carry-on bags and place them in a bin for X-ray screening:
▪ Personal electronic devices including laptops, tablets, e-readers and handheld game consoles
▪ A quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes, limited to containers that are 3.4 ounces or smaller
“In most cases, food or snacks such as fruit, health bars and sandwiches can stay inside your carry-on bag,” the TSA said on its website.
There are also exceptions for medications and “nourishment” for infants and toddlers, including breast milk, formula and baby food, the federal transportation security agency said.
However, you may be asked to remove “any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine,” the TSA said.
The TSA has a complete list of items you’re allowed to bring in carry-on and checked baggage — and what you should leave at home — on its website.
Do I have to take off my jacket? Shoes?
Airline passengers undergoing standard TSA screening are typically required to remove their shoes, jackets and belts.
“All travelers — even those without TSA PreCheck — will soon be allowed to keep their shoes on during airport screening” under the TSA’s policy change, travel blog Gate Access reported on July 4.
“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,” Gate Access creator Caleb Harmon-Marshall wrote.
“TSA and DHS are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture,” the TSA said in a statement. “Any potential updates to our security process will be issued through official channels.”
What is TSA PreCheck? How do I apply?
Implemented in 2011, the TSA PreCheck program provides travelers with expedited security screening at more than 200 airports, according to the TSA.
“With TSA PreCheck, shoes, belts, and light jackets stay on,” the TSA said on its website, while electronics and liquids stay in your luggage.
To enroll in TSA PreCheck, apply online, then visit an enrollment center in person to complete the process.
Once you’re approved, you can get your Known Traveler Number, add it to your airline reservations and “start saving time in screening,” the TSA said.
The federal has partnered with providers Clear, Idemia and Telos to help travelers with TSA PreCheck enrollment.
Costs differ by provider, with first-time enrollment prices ranging from $76.75 to $85 and renewal fees ranging from $58.75 to $70.
This story was originally published July 8, 2025 at 12:30 PM.
