TSA's Alleged Screening Update Is A Desirable Change. Here's What It Means For Travelers.

What started as a rumor is now making headlines. Could the days of removing our shoes at airports finally be over? Since 2006, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has required passengers to remove their footwear to pass through pre-flight checks, a rule only relaxed for those with TSA PreCheck. But it seems that this Fourth of July marked a day of freedom in more ways than one, as passengers began reporting a quiet shift in policy.

The blog Gate Access was the first to report the policy shift on July 4, 2025. Run by Harmony, who says they are a "former federal security officer," Gate Access splashed an exclusive: "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." The story spread like wildfire, and some travelers started to be waved through security with their shoes still on.

Credible sources, including the New York Times, are reporting the change, and CBS news correspondents passed through security, shoe-clad, according to the CBS site. Even White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt retweeted it as "Big news." As of this writing, TSA has not yet confirmed the change in policy, and its official guidance still shows the requirement for most passengers to remove footwear.

The policy change comes as more and more passengers travel by air in the United States. Over the July 4, 2025 weekend, TSA expected over 18.5 million passengers to fly, breaking previous records. June 22, 2025 saw the most passengers ever screened by TSA in one day, with 3.1 million travelers passing through security checkpoints.

The biggest shift at U.S. airports in 2025 has been the enforcement of the REAL ID requirement for all passengers. REAL ID has been around for a while, but since May 7, 2025, passengers have been required to fly with REAL ID or a valid passport. (Find out what a REAL ID is and why you need it.)

With passengers now possibly being permitted to pass through security in their shoes, you might be wondering if the dreaded liquid rule is finally changing, too. Many U.K. airports have changed their liquid rules, with passengers no longer needing to remove liquids from their bags at security checkpoints, and some airports are allowing up to two liters (67 ounces) through. That policy doesn't seem to be coming to the U.S. any time soon, though. For now, let's hope the shoe policy comes into effect officially.