New TSA Rule Will End Shoes-Off Screening Policy At Busy Illinois Airport

One of the more annoying parts of the TSA line is going away.

I've always been a fan of having TSA PreCheck, since it's expedited security at airports and you don't have to take off your shoes to get through the screening line.

Now, according to a new memo sent to TSA officers last week, passengers will be allowed to keep their shoes on when going through the line. ABC News reports that the new policy started Sunday at many U.S. airports.

TSA started requiring passengers to take off their shoes in 2006, which was 5 years after a man named Richard Reid tried to blow up an American Airlines flight that was going from Paris to Miami by packing explosives in his shoes. They didn't detonate and the plane landed in Boston after passengers were able to subdue him.

When And Where Does It Start

Technically, the new policy officially starts at:

• Baltimore/Washington International Airport
• Fort Lauderdale International Airport
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
• Portland International Airport
• Philadelphia International Airport
• Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina

But, some CBS News reporters say they didn't have to take off their shoes at Los Angeles or NYC's LaGuardia airports either.

The TSA's goal is to roll out the policy to all airports. There isn't an official date for O'Hare, Midway, or other specific airports, but don't be surprised if you're not asked to take off your shoes next time you fly.

The asterisk with this: if you do trip the walk-through scanner, you'll be asked to take off your shoes.

ABC News says the TSA has been trying for a while to come up with a speedier way to get passengers through security lines.