Inside the shoe bomb plot that changed airport security – and why the rule is now ending By Sarah Rumpf-Whitten Updated July 11, 2025 7:05am PDT U.S.

The shoe removal policy was initially put into place in 2006 in response to an attempt by an airline passenger to conceal a bomb in his shoe in December 2001. Since 2006, most travelers at airport ...

Richard Reid was unable to detonate his bomb and was subdued by other passengers; he is currently serving life in prison. Originally Published: July 8, 2025 at 12:46 PM EDT ...

TSA is reportedly gradually rolling out a new policy that will eventually allow all travelers to keep their shoes on during security screenings, regardless of lane or status.

The shoe removal process was implemented in 2006 "in response to an attempt by an airline passenger to conceal a bomb in his shoe," per USA TODAY.

“Everything the TSA does and requires of travelers has always been necessary, but they have advanced over the years,” Noem said. “We have made advancements in how we screen individuals.” ...

The threat of a shoe bomb, while real in the early 2000s, is so low risk as to be negligible. Security agencies have adjusted priorities toward other, more sophisticated threats.

News TSA makes huge change that could make getting through security much easier Published: Jul. 08, 2025, 11:28 a.m.

Until now, only passengers in the TSA Pre-Check line were able to keep their shoes on, in most cases. The TSA started requiring passengers to take their shoes off in 2006. The policy came 5 years ...

TSA began requiring travelers to remove their shoes in 2006, in response to an attempt by an airline passenger to conceal a bomb in his shoe in December 2001. Traveling out of U.S. airports just ...

Passengers at several airports across the US will no longer be required to remove their shoes at security as the TSA reportedly phases out the policy, which was implemented after a 2001 bomb attempt ...