TSA reverses shoe policy due to advancements in screening technology
UPGRADES. IT’S NOW 608, AND IT’S A WELCOME CHANGE FOR MILLIONS OF AIR TRAVELERS ACROSS THE U.S. YOUR SHOES CAN NOW STAY ON WHEN GOING THROUGH SECURITY. THE POLICY STARTED AFTER RICHARD REID, THE CONVICTED SHOE BOMBER, TRIED TO DETONATE A BOMB IN HIS SHOE DURING A FLIGHT. WVTM 13 MYA CALEB IS LIVE FROM THE BIRMINGHAM-SHUTTLESWORTH AIRPORT THIS MORNING. MYA. AFTER NEARLY TWO DECADES. WHY THE CHANGE NOW FOR TSA? GOOD MORNING SCOTT. HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM SAYS THAT OFFICIALS BELIEVE THAT IT’S SAFE TO END THE RULE. I’M NEAR THE SECURITY CHECKPOINT AT THE BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT. AND AS YOU CAN LOOK OVER HERE, ESPECIALLY NOW, THE LINES HAVE CLEARED UP A LITTLE BIT. PEOPLE ARE MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THIS TSA CHECKPOINT WITHOUT THEIR SHOES ON, AND IT’S A RETURN TO A MORE STREAMLINED AIRPORT SECURITY CHECKPOINT. AND MANY PEOPLE, WELL, THEY’RE EXCITED ABOUT IT. I SPOKE WITH TSA HERE IN BIRMINGHAM, AND THEY TELL ME THE OLD SHOE POLICY IS OUTDATED DUE TO ADVANCEMENTS IN SCREENING TECHNOLOGY. WE HAVE A LAYERED SECURITY SYSTEM. SO JUST BECAUSE WE ALLOW FOLKS TO KEEP THEIR SHOES ON NOW, THAT DOESN’T MEAN THEY’RE LESS SAFE. OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS, WE’VE IMPLEMENTED A LOT OF LAYERS OF SECURITY THAT WE DIDN’T HAVE IN THE BEGINNING, BUT NOW WE DO. YOU COULD BE, HOWEVER, SUBJECTED TO A RANDOM SCREENING, AND IF THAT HAPPENS, YOU POSSIBLY COULD BE ASKED TO REMOVE YOUR SHOES. WITH THIS POLICY GOING INTO EFFECT JUST THIS WEEK. IT’S TOO EARLY TO TELL HOW THIS WILL IMPACT WAIT TIMES OVERALL, BUT THE BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT IS ONLY ANTICIPATING BACKUPS WHEN IT COMES TO THEM HAVING TO REMIND PEOPLE TO KEEP THEIR SHOES ON. LI
TSA reverses shoe policy due to advancements in screening technology
The Transportation Security Administration is reversing a 20-year-old policy that required travelers to remove their shoes during screening at the airport security checkpoint. “We have a layered security system so, just because we allow folks to keep their shoes on now, that doesn’t mean they’re less safe. Over the past 20 years, we’ve implemented a lot of layers of security that we didn’t have in the beginning, but now we do,” said Chris Barnett with TSA in Birmingham. There are some exceptions to this reversal. “All passengers are subject to random screening. With random screenings, you could be asked to take your shoes off, kind of like the old way of doing it,” said Barnett. Being non-compliant with the REAL ID could subject you to that screening as well. It’s too soon for the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to see the impact on wait times in the TSA security line, but airport staff anticipate any backups coming from travelers adjusting to the new policy.
The Transportation Security Administration is reversing a 20-year-old policy that required travelers to remove their shoes during screening at the airport security checkpoint.
“We have a layered security system so, just because we allow folks to keep their shoes on now, that doesn’t mean they’re less safe. Over the past 20 years, we’ve implemented a lot of layers of security that we didn’t have in the beginning, but now we do,” said Chris Barnett with TSA in Birmingham.
There are some exceptions to this reversal.
“All passengers are subject to random screening. With random screenings, you could be asked to take your shoes off, kind of like the old way of doing it,” said Barnett.
Being non-compliant with the REAL ID could subject you to that screening as well.
It’s too soon for the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport to see the impact on wait times in the TSA security line, but airport staff anticipate any backups coming from travelers adjusting to the new policy.