Air Travel Just Got 2% Less Irritating

A longstanding rule of the Transportation Security Administration is done, after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the end to shoes-off screening.

The new policy “will increase hospitality for travelers and streamline the TSA security checkpoint process, leading to lower wait times” according to the org. It’s a rare spot of good news in the world of air travel, after decades of headaches.

“Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the latest effort DHS is implementing to modernize and enhance traveler experience across our nation’s airports,” said Secretary Noem. “We expect this change will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience. As always, security remains our top priority. Thanks to our cutting-edge technological advancements and multi-layered security approach, we are confident we can implement this change while maintaining the highest security standards. This initiative is just one of many the Trump administration is pursuing to usher in the President’s vision for a new Golden Age of American travel.”

But the shoes are, for now, the only nice change. “Other aspects of TSA’s layered security approach will still apply during the TSA checkpoint process” according to their recent statement, so anyone hoping for any other time savers can be mildly disappointed. (It’s not surprising, but they specifically say that “passengers [subject] must still clear identity verification, Secure Flight vetting, and other processes.”)

The news follows a relatively unnoticed change the TSA called the “Serve with Honor, Travel with Ease” program which provides special benefits to uniformed service members and their families. That gives a TSA PreCheck enrollment discount (just a discount, not a freebie) and expedited access lanes at select airports. May saw the TSA implement REAL ID at airport checkpoints, after what seems like a quarter century of postponement. That apparently came and went quietly, with 94% compliance and a “more efficient security process.”

Hearsay from travelers on July 8th reported some grumpy interactions with some security screeners. Apparently, they expect passengers to pay the same fervent attention to security changes they do, so anyone who tries to go socks-out might be in for a small earful.

FMI: www.tsa.gov