The Actual Reason Behind Why You Must Remove Your Shoes Before Going Through TSA

Going through a TSA security checkpoint before a flight is like the process of aging. They are both inevitable, and they are both something that most people dread. Often, some people are willing to go to great lengths and a certain amount of money to make the process a lot smoother, with varying results. And sometimes, after particularly frustrating interactions with TSA agents, you'll definitely feel like you've aged a few years.

A major difference between the two is the reason why these processes happen. When it comes to the TSA, it's a matter of national security. The TSA was created as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. As much of a hassle as it is to wait in long security lines and follow seemingly obscure rules, the system is in place to ensure that history is not repeated.

Still, many travelers feel that TSA isn't actually doing anything for airport security. To them, going through TSA is more of a nuisance than a reassurance of their safety. Americans who fly frequently are accustomed to the motions: Empty your pockets, place laptops and tablets in a separate bin, take off jackets and hoodies, take off your shoes, and keep moving. Even when we do everything right, it can still be hard to avoid getting flagged by TSA, to the point where we question if any of this matters. Would it really be such a security risk for passengers to keep their shoes on? The answer to that, surprisingly, is yes. Like most TSA rules, the shoe policy is in place due to an incident that jeopardized the safety of Americans. The next time you take your shoes off to go through TSA, you can thank the would-be "shoe bomber."

On December 22, 2001, just over three months after the 9/11 attacks, the country received another scare when an individual called Richard Reid attempted to detonate a homemade bomb during a trans-Atlantic American Airlines flight. He was able to sneak the device onto the aircraft by hiding it in the heel of his hiking boots, earning him the nickname "The Shoe Bomber." On February 28, 2005, another individual associated with al-Qaeda pleaded guilty to a similar plan. Court documents revealed that Saajid Badat conspired to blow up another plan using a shoe bomb from the same supplier as Reid. The two were supposed to execute the plan at the same time, but Badat decided not to board his flight.

Due to the terrifying nature of these attempts, security measures had to be put in place, and as a result, travelers boarding flights in the U.S. now have to take their shoes off before clearing TSA, make sure their carry-on luggage adheres to all the rules, and go through a full-body scanner. There are, however, ways travelers can bypass these rules. For example, passengers under the age of 12 and over the age of 75 are exempt from taking their shoes off. Those who don't fall under these categories can sign up to be pre-screened through TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR. With the holidays coming up, security lines can get long, so pack your patient pants with the rest of your luggage and remember why these security measures exist in the first place.