Is your summer getaway right around the corner? Your next trip out of O’Hare or Midway might look a little different!
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is rolling back its 20-year-old shoe removal policy at U.S. airport security checkpoints, according to multiple reports.
While the TSA has not officially announced the policy change, rumors began circulating on Twitter/X Monday.
U.S. press secretary Karoline Leavitt appeared to confirm the buzz by retweeting a report and tagging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the TSA. “Big news from @DHSgov! ✈️👟,” reads the post.
Why do we have to take our shoes off anyway?
If you’ve ever flown out of either Chicago airports, you’re no stranger to the TSA shoe removal rule — just one more hassle in the security line.
The policy dates back to 2006, after an attempted bombing in 2001 when British national Richard Reid tried and failed to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami.
Who will be affected by the change?
According to Gate Access, nearly all travelers — even those without TSA PreCheck — will soon be able to keep their shoes on when passing through security.
However, passengers without a Real ID–compliant form of identification will still need to remove their shoes.
When will the policy change go into effect?
The change will reportedly roll out in phases. CBS reported Wednesday that the policy change has already begun at O’Hare.
Other U.S. airports began implementing the new policy earlier this year, including Baltimore/Washington International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport.