HONOLULU (KHON2) — It’s an announcement sure to give travelers a case of happy feet at airports.
Effective today, you can keep your shoes on when going through security.
Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem made the announcement today, saying a review of the agency’s security protocols determined removing shoes was no longer necessary.
“Many people will be on airplanes traveling in and out of our airport and it’s important that we find ways to keep people safe, but also streamline and make the process much more enjoyable for every single person,” said Noem.
TSA first implemented the no-shoes policy in 2006 after a passenger tried and failed to ignite a homemade shoe explosive on an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami.
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Part of the new change is due to the success of the new Real ID policy.
“In fact, right now we are now we are experiencing over 94% compliance with passengers who come through our airports and screening process with real ID compliant identification,” Noem added.
At Honolulu Airport today the news came as a welcome surprise.
“It made a difference with me and my partner, because we’re older, so you know, having to worry about your tennis shoes and your socks and the bags. Yeah, it makes a huge difference,” said Susana Verdin, a traveler.
“We just found out about it after we went through security, we went on our phone like, oh, I guess that’s the main thing today. That’s awesome,” said another traveler, Jennifer Miller.
“Normally, I wear shoes. But yeah, today I went with the flip flops. So it was a good it was good timing,” said Ava Gronemeyer, another traveler.