Govind Tekale
Canadian air travelers will soon enjoy a simpler security process when flying to the United States. Transport Canada plans to follow the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) recent decision to end the mandatory shoe removal policy at airport checkpoints.
On July 8, 2025, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that American travelers no longer need to remove their shoes during security screening, effective immediately at all U.S. airports. According to Noem, this change will “drastically decrease passenger wait times” and create “a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.”
Most Canadian travelers already keep their shoes on when flying domestically or to non-U.S. destinations, unless specifically asked by a security officer. The policy change will mainly affect those flying to the U.S. through Canadian pre-clearance facilities, where the American rules have applied.
In a brief statement, Transport Canada confirmed it “will work with the Transportation Security Administration to ensure requirements are aligned,” though no specific timeline was provided for the Canadian implementation.
The shoe removal rule began in 2006, five years after Richard Reid attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on a Paris to Miami flight in December 2001. Fellow passengers helped stop Reid, and the plane landed safely in Boston.
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Why the change now? Noem explained that “security technology has changed dramatically” in the past two decades. Today’s screening equipment, combined with other security layers, can detect threats without requiring passengers to remove their footwear.
This policy shift aims to speed up the screening process while maintaining safety standards. Current airport security wait times average about 27 minutes, according to a 2024 study, and eliminating the shoe removal step should help reduce these delays. TSA ends shoe removal at some US airports
Until now, only travelers enrolled in trusted traveler programs like TSA PreCheck could keep their shoes on. While PreCheck members will lose this exclusive perk, they’ll still enjoy other benefits, including keeping laptops, liquids, belts, and light jackets on during screening.
Security officials will still have the authority to request shoe removal when necessary. Other familiar security measures remain unchanged, including the 3-1-1 liquids rule for carry-ons, full-body scanners, and identity verification procedures.
The airline industry has responded positively to the announcement. Airlines for America, which represents major carriers like American, Delta, and United, called the change “welcome news to the millions of people who fly every day,” adding that it “will go a long way in facilitating smooth, seamless and secure travel.”
This policy shift ends a nearly 20-year security practice, reflecting both technological progress and a growing focus on making air travel more convenient without compromising safety. For Canadian travelers heading to the U.S., it means one less hassle during an often stressful security process.
