TSA (Transport Security Agency of America) is now ending the old requirement of passengers to remove their shoes during security checks at the airport. This rule was implemented after the ‘shoe bomber’ incident in 2006. But now security technology has improved a lot and a multi-level system is being adopted to identify the threat, after which passengers will no longer have to remove their shoes.
You must have gone to another destination by flight many times, where after reaching the airport, you must have completed the necessary things, then proceeded towards your terminal, but till date we all take extra time due to security checking at the airport, we never know when and how much time will be taken in what. But now your time can be saved at one place, we are talking about shoe checking, which has now been abolished.
But this is not about our country but about America, which has abolished the old requirement of removing shoes during security check at the airport. Recently, the country’s Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that from now on TSA (Transportation Security Administration) will not ask passengers to remove their shoes. Let us tell you that this old rule was in force since 2006. If you are going to any place in America, then know what is the new rule.
So this is how it started
According to a report published in TOI, Kristi Noem said in a press conference at Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington, “I think most Americans will be happy that they no longer have to take off their shoes and the screening process will be much easier and faster.” The “shoe rule” originated from a horrific incident in December 2001, when a man named Richard Reid tried to blow up an American Airlines flight (from Paris to Miami) by hiding a bomb in his shoes.
He tried to bomb the flight mid-air, but due to the alertness of the passengers and crew the attack was foiled and the flight was landed safely in Boston.
Shoe scanning started
Although this attack was not successful, after this the US security agency TSA made airport checking even stricter. By the year 2006, it was made mandatory for all passengers aged 12 to 75 to remove their shoes at the airport. Shoes were also scanned like other luggage, so that if someone hides a bomb or explosive in it, it can be caught. But now after the implementation of many systems, Noem said, “Now our security technology has advanced a lot. We now have a strong and multi-level government system.”
There was a lot of trouble
This change will come into effect immediately at all US airports. However, officials have also clarified that in some cases, passengers may still be asked to remove their shoes if required during security check. The biggest advantage will be that the process of checking at the airport will now become faster and easier. For years, people found it very troublesome and time-consuming to remove shoes during security check. With bags, personal belongings and sometimes children in hand, it was very difficult to take off and wear shoes in line.
This thing can provide security
Now removing this rule will provide great relief especially to families, elderly and disabled passengers. This will reduce the time taken in the checking line, people will be able to move ahead quickly and the whole process will be less troublesome than before. Now the rule of removing shoes in general checking has been removed, but a special service called TSA PreCheck still provides many benefits.
This is a trusted traveler program, in which pre-checked passengers get quick and easy security security. Those who are members of this program do not need to remove belts, light jackets or laptops from the bag. The cost of joining it is around $80 (about ₹ 6,700) and the validity is for five years.
