ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — There’s relief among travelers now that they no longer have to take off their shoes to go through airport security screenings, but the change came as a surprise to many.
The signs are still up at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, but something felt different at the security check. For the first time since 2006, travelers no longer need to take their shoes off when going through security.
“I absolutely love to hear that. There is absolutely no reason I should be taking my shoes off. I mean, come on guys, I have to take everything else off — at least let me keep my shoes on. I don’t need to be walking on these floors and stuff. I think it’s a great thing,” said Lucas McCabe of Green Bay.
A TSA employee says the change went into effect in Green Bay Monday.
The “ick factor” and germs on the floor bothered a lot of travelers.
Terry Blaher from Virginia Beach said, “I don’t like having to take my shoes off. I understand why they were doing it, but I’m glad I don’t have to take my shoes off because floors are kind of nasty.”
While getting through security is never a long process in Green Bay, it’s a different story at major metropolitan airports. Many believe the change will help speed things up.
“A lot quicker, and I know for some people that have high heels, ladies, they have a hard time getting their shoes off. Especially for elderly people too, so they don’t really have to and they can just fly right through the line right now,” added Kirk Blaher from Virginia.
Travelers with TSA Precheck haven’t had to take their shoes off for years, allowing them to get through lines quicker. No one we spoke with seemed concerned about their safety now that everyone can keep their sneakers laced up at security.
According to Frank Alfaro of Suamico, “As long as they feel it’s safe, I’m good with it. I obviously haven’t had to do that because I have TSA approval, but as long as they’re making sure we’re safe and they feel we’re okay with it, then I’m good with it.”
In a news conference Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem attributed the change in policy to a review of TSA’s security and screening protocols, which her department determined were effective.
“We’ve gone back and looked at our security processes, looked at the efficacy of everything that we do,” Noem said. “All of that has been evaluated to see what is effective, what should stay in place and what should be removed to streamline the process.”
Noem says passengers will still go through a multilayered screening and identity verification process before they can board airplanes.
“We’re so excited that we can make the experience for those individuals traveling throughout our airports in the United States much more hospitable, more efficient for them, more timely, and that they can get to their destinations and spend much more time with their loved ones,” Noem said.
