KEEP YOUR SHOES ON – DHS ENDS “SHOES-OFF” TRAVEL POLICY
August 8, 2025
Eckert Seamans has prepared the information in this update for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice nor substitute for legal advice. Neither your receipt of information from this website nor your use of this website to contact Eckert Seamans or one of its attorneys creates an attorney-client relationship, as the firm may, for example, already represent another party involved in your matter. Accordingly, you should not provide confidential information to Eckert Seamans. Persons seeking legal advice should consult a licensed professional attorney in their state. The firm’s Terms of Use, Legal Notice, and Disclaimer detailed herein are expressly incorporated into the Aviation Regulatory Update.
On July 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced a new policy permitting passengers traveling through U.S. airports to keep their shoes on while passing through Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) security checkpoints. The change took effect immediately, marking the first time in almost 20 years that passengers were not required to remove their shoes during security screenings. Citing enhanced technology at TSA checkpoints and Real ID enforcement nationwide, DHS remains confident that air travel is secure even without the “shoes-off” policy. DHS expects the new policy to reduce passenger wait times dramatically, leading to a more streamlined TSA security process for the millions of passengers who travel through U.S. airports each day. Industry observers note that the change could adversely impact participation in the TSA Precheck Program which permits passengers, after paying around $80 for five years, to proceed through the screening process without taking off their shoes, belts, or light jackets. TSA PreCheck partners like CLEAR may also experience decreased participation since passengers can now keep their shoes on without paying a fee. DHS Secretary Noem plans to implement additional regulatory changes in the coming months to expedite airport screening, while keeping passenger safety top of mind.
This Aviation Blog is intended to keep readers current on developments in the law. It is not intended to be legal advice. If you have any questions, please contact Evelyn Sahr at 202.659.6622 or esahr@eckertseamans.com; Drew Derco at 202.659.6665 or dderco@eckertseamans.com, Samantha Walter at 412.566.1920 or swalter@eckertseamans.com; or Tyler Myers at 202.659.6642 or trmyers@eckertseamans.com, or any other attorney at Eckert Seamans with whom you have been working.
Share This Post
Authors
