airport security

[buzz2400]

My mother said she just read something in the newspaper and now cannot find the article. She thought she read that airports are now requiring everyone to take off their shoes as they go through the security checkpoints. Has anyone read something like this. Is it in effect now?

 

[Pinnie]

I flew last Thursday out of Detroit Metro and they were making eveyone take off their shoes. However at MCO on Sunday, that was NOT the case.

It was the first time I ever had to do that in DTW and don't know if that will be the case in a couple of weeks when I fly again!

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[safetymom]

They were doing that in Orlando when I flew out of there June 6. It may depend on the crowds how they enforce that. It is supposed to help speed things along so that the shoes don't set off the metal detector.

 

[mcnuss]

In the last few weeks, I have been in the following airports:

PHL - not req
MHT - not req
BOS - req
CLE - req
MDW - req
ORD - req
PIT - not req
BWI - I got picked for special screening here (on a SW one-way ticket, which is a ticket to special screening)
DCA - req

Pretty much, you should expect to take off your shoes. There are 2 reasons: 1. Most shoes (even my el cheapos from Payless) have a steel shank or heel in the case of ladies shoes so you will cause the metal detector to beep and get yourself hand-searched or 2. The airport is checking shoes in general for explosives, etc...

Once your shoes have been run thru x-ray, you should ask the operator if there is metal in them. That way, at the next ariport, if they are not operating under premise #2, you will know whether to take them off or not.

Hope this helps.

 

[movingtoorlando]

I flew out of BDL 2 weeks ago and they didn't check them. However when I came back from orlando They DID Require me to remove them and run them through. its all by chance I guess.

 

[beccasmom]

I flew out of Philadelphia on 6/14 and they were asking people to remove their shoes, although it seemed random. Some people were asked to remove their sandals.

At Orlando last Saturday, many more people were being asked to remove their shoes, maybe every third person.

 

[sgtdisney]

We flew from ORD to MCO on June 7 and they didn't require us to remove our shoes. Last night we flew from FLL to ORD and every adult had to take off their shoes..

 

[alexturner74]

Last few times in ATL, they haven't required people to take off their shoes, but strongly suggesting doing so, especially dress shoes.

I do it anyway just because shoes are the one thing that usually gets me hand checked, so it's much quicker for me to take them off.

 

[Eeyore1954]

This seems hit or miss. I had to take my shoes off in San Antonio. But at ORD (Chicago) -- at least on United -- we just had to put each foot on some device, sort of like putting your foot up for a shoe shine. It indicated whether or not you had to send your shoes through x-ray.

I was told security is doing this because the sensitivity of the machines has been increased and is picking up small bits of metal in shoes.

 

[Disneyolic]

Don't know if this helps but...when we flew in February at Detroit Metro, I noticed the security screeners look at people's shoes. My screener looked at both mine and my husband's shoes, said that we were wearing sneakers, said we were smart, and let us go through.

 

[Pinnie]

Last Thursday EVERYONE at DTW was required to take off their shoes at the NWA terminal. I had on flip flop cloth sandals and I wasn't immune.

I didn't mind, but it did feel gross to walk barefoot through security!

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[CarolA]

Here is my security approach. While standing in line remove ALL jewerly and put it in my purse, remove my belt and put it in my carry on. If it is winter, remove coat. MAKE SURE POCKETS ARE EMPTY

At the table in front of the screeners, Remove laptop from case and put it in the little basket. Remove shoes and put them in a basket. Put coat in basket.

Yep, this means I can have up to 5 things going thru. (PC case, Purse, PC, shoes, Coat).

However, I NEVER set off the buzzer!

At the other side I slide my shoes on, stick the PC back in the case and head off. I put my belt and jewerly back on at the gate.

 

[safetymom]

Carol, good suggestions. I have learned what clothes and shoes set off the detectors so I make sure not to wear them again while traveling. I have only been searched once and that was enough.

I can always spot the ones that haven't done it before. They hang back and aren't sure what they are supposed to do. It's great when I get behind someone that knows the drill and doesn't hold up the security area.

 

[lsyorke]

Returned from WDW today and the only people who had to take off shoes were those pulled out for the random full check. They were doing searches of checked baggage. We had my sons nebulizer for respiratory treatments in the suitcase and knew that would warrent a hand check and sure enough the little security note was inside of that suitcase! Do yourself a favor and put anything in your carry on in zip lock bags. It makes it much easier if they do a hand check!!

 

[YesDear]

The guy at the security counter suggested I take off my shoes. They were topsiders. I did and he said he would check them as they went through the xray machine to tell me if they had any metal in them. They did not. I now know they can be worn without jeapardy of strip seach.

I do have to say I was impressed how they had MCO set up. The lines were well organinzed. My big chuckle was they now have signs and message boards telling you what to make your process easier. It clearly tells anyone with a laptop computer that the computer will HAVE to be taken out of the case and sent through separately. It is only posted about 50 places and tell you 50 times. YET I saw three people get to the xray machine and say; "Do I have to!" AMASING.

 

[Laz]

Indianapolis did not require it, but everyone had to at Dallas/Ft. Worth. Funny, Indy was listed as having the best security. After they get a smell of my shoes, they will always let me keep them on!

 

[ncligs]

We flew to San Antonio friday from Pittsburgh , and they recomended to take our shoes off at Pittsburgh airport. We fly back thursaday(7-3) morning from San Antonio, will take our shoes off, less of a chance of being stopped.

 

[DebbieB]

When I flew from Pittsburgh to Hartford in February for business, in Pittsburgh they noticed by shoe boots with a small metal buckle, they said to take them off. When I returned, I was waiting for them to say something in Hartford but they didn't and I wore them through the detector with no problem. On the other hand, they riffled thorugh my purse in Hartford, in search of a certain item. Turned out to be my metal key ring that is shaped like a bar. They even took it and scanned it for explosives! It's the one I've always used, never been a problem before. So different airports pickup on different things.