TSA will soon stop making you remove shoes

Most of us travelers have seen it over and again that it’s only at U.S. airports that one is asked to remove shoes when going through airport security. European and Asian airports allow passengers to keep ’em on.

Now, at some unspecified point in the future, passengers will be able to go through airport security without taking their shoes or belts off in U.S. airports. The policy easement was announced by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano during a forum hosted by Politico Playbook in DC.

The rule was implemented right after a member of al-Qaida tried to detonate a bomb built into his shoe aboard an American Airlines flight in December 2001.

Limits on the amount of liquids travelers can bring on board will remain in effect because screening technology can’t tell the difference between, say, nitroglycerin and Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Shampoo with Orchid and Coconut Milk.

Later this year, the TSA will launch its “Known Traveler” program which lets those who give additional personal information keep their shoes on and their laptops in their bags.