A senior Senate Democrat is demanding the TSA reverse its decision to let air travelers skip removing their shoes at airport security checkpoints, warning the change represents a serious vulnerability in aviation safety.
The policy shift, implemented nine months ago, ended nearly two decades of requiring passengers to remove footwear before passing through security scanners. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, the ranking member of the Senate aviation subcommittee, sent a letter to the agency expressing alarm over what she characterized as a "potentially catastrophic security deficiency."
Duckworth argued the relaxed procedure is "reckless" and creates unacceptable risk to passengers. Her intervention highlights the contentious nature of TSA screening protocols, which officials have long balanced between security effectiveness and passenger convenience.
The shoe-removal mandate had been standard procedure since the early 2000s, introduced after security concerns. The agency's recent decision to permit passengers through advanced imaging technology without removing footwear marked a significant reversal of longstanding practice.
The move came as airports sought to speed up screening times and improve traveler experience. However, Duckworth's letter suggests at least some lawmakers view the tradeoff as too steep, particularly regarding concealed threats that footwear screening was designed to detect.
It remains unclear whether the TSA will respond to the senator's call to reinstate the full shoe-removal requirement. The agency has not yet commented on Duckworth's concerns or indicated willingness to reconsider the policy adjustment.
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