Random TSA question

[Deleted]

If you wear flip flop sandals do you still have to take your shoes off?  I always have but it's not like you could really hid anything in there.  Do they enforce it?

[Deleted]

It depends on the airport. It used to be that all shoes had to be taken off, but the shoes rule seems to be relaxing a bit. I didn't have to take my ballet flats off at Heathrow on Tuesday, but more substantial shoes would have had to be taken off. I don't think anyone had to take shoe off when I went through security in Seville a few weeks ago. I've always (well, since the shoe rule began) had to take all shoes off (including flip-flops) at NY area airports except when in a TSA pre-check line.

I think someone posted recently that they didn't have to take off shoes at a domestic airport, and it wasn't pre-check?

So I'd expect to take off your shoes regardless of what they are, but you might luck out?

[lime]

Yes, I've always seen people take off flip flops.

[hippygirl]

I had to this morning flying out of San Jose.

[rootbeerfloat]

Yup

[aurora]

Yes, I've always (well, since 9/11) had to remove my flip flops for airport security in the U.S. At some airports abroad they didn't require all shoes to be removed.

[nsl]

Yes. International security and the TSA don't agree on a lot of rules, shoes among them. The only people exempt from the shoe rule at U.S. airports are children under 12 and adults over (I believe) 70.

[Deleted]

Jul 10, 2014 19:49:36 GMT -5 v said:

It depends on the airport. It used to be that all shoes had to be taken off, but the shoes rule seems to be relaxing a bit. I didn't have to take my ballet flats off at Heathrow on Tuesday, but more substantial shoes would have had to be taken off. I don't think anyone had to take shoe off when I went through security in Seville a few weeks ago. I've always (well, since the shoe rule began) had to take all shoes off (including flip-flops) at NY area airports except when in a TSA pre-check line.

I think someone posted recently that they didn't have to take off shoes at a domestic airport, and it wasn't pre-check?

So I'd expect to take off your shoes regardless of what they are, but you might luck out?

I wasn't the one who posted it, but in the Oakland airport, I was sent to a line where I was allowed to leave my shoes and jacket on. I think they're testing some looser restrictions.

[rubytue]

Jul 10, 2014 19:55:23 GMT -5 @mx said:

When I have flown out of US airports in flip flops (non pre-check) I have not only had to remove my flip flops but someone examined the bottom of my feet!

I've had the hand wand waves over the bottom of my bare feet! Yup, I hid something under my skin, without leaving so much as a scar. Lol

[mskitkat]

Jul 10, 2014 20:09:11 GMT -5 @misschevious said:

Jul 10, 2014 19:49:36 GMT -5 v said:

It depends on the airport. It used to be that all shoes had to be taken off, but the shoes rule seems to be relaxing a bit. I didn't have to take my ballet flats off at Heathrow on Tuesday, but more substantial shoes would have had to be taken off. I don't think anyone had to take shoe off when I went through security in Seville a few weeks ago. I've always (well, since the shoe rule began) had to take all shoes off (including flip-flops) at NY area airports except when in a TSA pre-check line.

I think someone posted recently that they didn't have to take off shoes at a domestic airport, and it wasn't pre-check?

So I'd expect to take off your shoes regardless of what they are, but you might luck out?

I wasn't the one who posted it, but in the Oakland airport, I was sent to a line where I was allowed to leave my shoes and jacket on. I think they're testing some looser restrictions.

They have randomized "precheck" lanes where they pull some people out to go through the faster lanes. It's awesome when everyone is paying attention, sucky when people aren't, and the agents have to go around yelling at people to put their shoes back on/laptops back in bags. It can take twice as long.

[alleinesein]

Yes. I fly in flip flops for that reason. Although now that ive been TSA precheck approves I no longer have to do the shoe removal thing

[sporky]

Flying within/out of the US, I've always had to remove my shoes. Flying into the US from another country, I've never had to.