The Department of Homeland Security recently made a notable announcement: travelers will no longer be required to take off their shoes during security screenings at airports that use advanced imaging technologies. This change applies mainly to those who have a valid ID, as those without one will still undergo more extensive security checks.
Interestingly, this new policy was introduced by the DHS secretary, not the head of the Transportation Security Administration, as the Senate has yet to confirm a new TSA administrator since the previous one, David Pekoske, was let go at the beginning of 2025. It’s a bit odd, really, given that some senators are pushing for the TSA’s abolition. It makes you wonder about the future leadership at the TSA.
So, what’s the deal here? The TSA security process is pretty complicated, featuring various layers that many travelers might not even notice. The most obvious part is what happens at the airport security checkpoints, including the use of advanced imaging tech and CT scanners for screening passengers. These tools are meant to make flights safer by acting as invisible layers of security, in conjunction with other measures like enhanced cockpit doors.
In fact, risk-based security is what ties all these layers together. The goal is to effectively utilize security technologies and create policies that provide maximum protection with minimal hassle for passengers.
Since the events of September 11, 2001, security has become uniform for all travelers. This approach, while comprehensive, has often been inconvenient and costly without clear evidence that it significantly improved safety. Over time, this led to the creation of initiatives like TSA PreCheck, which allows travelers to speed through security without removing shoes or electronic devices—provided they’ve passed a background check.
Now, wearing shoes during screenings isn’t inherently problematic, but enforcing the removal of footwear can create unnecessary inconveniences. If travelers voluntarily decide to remove certain shoes, like work boots, it could even lead to extra screenings.
Looking ahead, if a body scanner flags a belt for additional scrutiny, it might trigger further discussions, which could cause delays. Many people are particularly concerned about liquid restrictions, especially since the UK has started relaxing such policies in specific airports that have installed CT scanners for carry-on bags. However, TSA officials have indicated that these restrictions will stay in place in the U.S. for the foreseeable future, likely lasting until around 2043, as the rollout of CT scanners across all U.S. airports is still in progress.
This situation has added layers of confusion. There’s a push from DHS secretaries to keep security protocols flexible, yet secure. Some speculate that the next logical step could be relaxing fluid restrictions for PreCheck passengers at airports equipped with CT scanners.
Many are pleased with this policy shift, but it raises a crucial question: how can we maintain robust security? It’s not just about relying on flashy scanning technologies. Perhaps a more effective solution lies in implementing more extensive facial recognition systems at checkpoints.
Facial recognition has sparked plenty of debate over privacy issues, with some senators advocating for a temporary halt to its use. The proposed Traveler Privacy Act of 2025 would allow individuals to opt out of face recognition, which might ultimately complicate airport security by reverting to a strict focus on objects rather than people.
If the DHS wants to make further adjustments to security layers, facial recognition will need to remain a central strategy. A functioning TSA, backed by Senate approval, will be crucial for maintaining traveler confidence in aviation security.
Dr. Sheldon H. Jacobson is a professor of computer science at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, with over 25 years of research in risk-based aviation security, including contributions to the TSA PreCheck program.
