kay99

Love the Monk reference...

I think it depends how you get at security, etc.
When we flew out of Detroit International the lady at security stopped my sister (first in our party) and said in a very nasty tone "I strongly suggest you remove your shoes!". We all removed our shoes with no eye rolling involved. The security person on the other side of the xray machine was very nice though. When the rest of our party came through a few minutes behind us they were not asked to remove their shoes. Whatever.
In Paris (Charles de Gaulle) and London (Heathrow) we were not asked to remove our shoes.

kay99

Oops- I meant who you get at security not how.

Also I would plan to wear socks so you won't have to walk in barefeet.

caribtraveler

When we went to St. John a few weeks ago, we were asked to take off our shoes both in St. Thomas and in Newark. Fine with us. EVERYONE going through was asked to do so, by the way.
The people who complain are the same people who'll sue the airline and TSA if another shoebomber gets on their plane.
Yes the floors are probably full of germs, but so are public restrooms, tables/chairs at restaurants where hundreds of people sat before you sat, public swimming pools, the button you press on the elevator where thousands of fingers pressed before yours....
Need I say more?

Christina

I think it's the US that does this, not foreign countries. I recently flew to/from France and had to remove my shoes at JFK but not at Washington National, which is supposed to be the most rigorous security. I think it's completely stupid and typical of the mentality of the guys making the rules now.

So, something metal in some shoes may set off the detector and those people are searched more? Well, isn't that supposed to be the point of those detectors? Why force people to take off shoes just because some shoes somewhere have metal in them? Perhaps I don't understand this policy, if the idea of taking them off is because they ignore the shoes then and just pass them easily throughy, isn't that dangerous from a security viewpoint?

The guy at Washington National (DCA), who maybe is trained better than other airports, left it up to my discretion to decide whether I wanted to take them off or not. I said, no, not if I don't have to, they're just leather and rubber. He said okay and that was that. This was about two weeks ago.

It's not a big deal to me, but it is a nuisance and does slow down security for everyone to have to take them off and put them on again, as well as getting your feet dirty for the areas you have to be without them.

marilynl

I always understood they asked people to take off shoes to SPEED UP the line, ie, to avoid the metal lasts or whatever it is in shoes that sets off the detectors and causes a lot of extra searches. I don't mind taking them off--in fact I always do--but it IS yucky when you step in something, especially if you"ve forgotten socks and are barefoot.

BrimhamRocks

LOL, ChristieP

sandi

Neither I nor travel partner have been asked to remove shoes since they started this process. During trip to SEAsia last year passed through about 9 scanners and not once whether in US, Japan or Thailand, though bags were searched on return to US from Bangkok - no big deal. Was asked if I had matches or lighters in packed bags to which I responded, NO! - but she never asked if I had them in my carryon, which I did! Strange, who know?

Shoes weren't being checked 2-mo after 9/11 going to/coming from Johannesburg, but there everyone has bags weighed, searched - all bags are searched and carryons right before boarding the plane. So far the most efficient check-in/security procedures anywhere.

When I departed Israel a few years back I was ready to open my bags for search - would you believe, I was the only person in a line of about 50 who they just passed by, yet had everyone else open their bags - grannies, parents with little children, soldiers, you name it - not moi. Guess I just don't fit "any" profile! Luck of the draw!

Gary115

I believe the people that complain about the security measures after 9/11 are the same people that complained about it before 9/11. I've never had any security problems before or after 9/11 because I change the way I travel based on the circumstances, I follow the rules, I prepare myself to get through security as quick as possible, I show up with time to spare, I don't cop an attitude, & I take my shoes off & put them on the security belt along with any other items of questionable doubt & keep my mouth shut. Deal with it or stay home.

caribtraveler

right on gary115.
we're living in a time when lots of people don't like us. they've proven it on 9/11, with richard reid aka the shoebomber and other places around the world.
the tsa has an enormous challenge. this is a big country with lots of planes constantly in the air and lots of people in them.
wouldn't it be STUPID of the tsa not to check shoes after the shoebomber?? we'd be all over them if it were to happen again...so let them do their job if they feel they need to check your particular shoe..what's a few germs compared to being blown up while going on a fabulous planned vacation??

andy

I have had to remove my birkenstock sandals everytime I have flown....

When I asked security why they wanted to do this, the lady with the wand said that some people put explosives in their high arches....

Sounded weird to me...but I also took off my shoes....

loverly7

I am all for security to ensure I arrive at my destination safely. What I DO have a problem with is that they pick and choose who they do this with. Either do it to everyone or don't do it at all.

wagsdvm

That's right...there has been much inconsistency with the shoe removal issue. That is now supposed to be a thing of the past -- don't have to remove shoes if you don't desire.

I personally hate the fact that I have to strip off jewelry, watch, boots, coat, sweater in order to not set off the beeper. Lately, I've just been going through with everything on since even bra fasteners and jean rivets set it off(and I'm not stripping those off!!).

Overall, I travel weekly and would have to say I get wanded 75% of the time.

abram

I've had the same pair of shoes set off the security alarm in one airport and not another in the same day.

My guess is that the settings vary from airport to airport. I also don't like to walk around the airport in my stocking feet, so only take off my shoes if askred, when I can sit down and do it one shoe at a time. It only takes a couple of minutes.

dln

This was in today's newspaper: Transportation Security Administration has altered its policy re footware removal. No passengers will be forced to take off their shoes; however, if some passengers fit certain criteria, they will have their shoes examined. A secondary screening will be used on those shoes which trigger alarms.

Maggi

Just returned from California trip from Detroit. My husband and I both had to remove our sandals going and coming back. Same scenario on our May Las Vegas trip.

Heartburn3

Whenever I'm stopped for extra security, I just let the personnel know they can search anything I have on my person. I oblige with removing shoes voluntarily. I just let them know if they need to look through my purse or luggage, they can do so within my sight. If you are polite and don't cause a stink, things go faster for security personnel and the people waiting in line behind you.

I have heel problems and it is difficult for me to walk barefoot, but I do it for the short distance and let them know I need to put my shoes on for medical reasons. Security personnel are just doing their job, and are usually helpful when you have a good reason and aren't just complaining because you were slightly inconvenienced.

bodi

I asked not to walk barefoot and was taken to the 'pit', gave my shoes that were cleared, and was made to sit holding my feet off the ground a long time, told we have to check your bare feet, well, they are right there exposed, so what are they waiting for? I would think it easier to hide 'something' in socks, what can you hide on bare feet? And there is a huge difference between professional wand and public mollestation. I'm an elderly grandmother, in poor health, and not physically able to hold my limbs out with MS. I was treated cruelly and abusively. If they are afraid of me, they are not skilled to respond to a real terriorist. It had nothing to do with security, little minds playing big cop and toying with their power. I was told security must meet quotas and routinely harass the flight crews because they are in uniform and won't make a scene. Anyone know if this is true? I was harassed only on the third flight of four, and was boarded with the same things in my carryon case and my purse. If it's security that is important, then check for items of risk, don't abuse people physically and emotionally and then send them on the plane upset.

puddin

I also agree with Gary115. My husband and I make sure we are at whatever airport with enough time to spare, adjust certain things in response to whatever is going on currently. It's not a huge deal. I have had to remove my shoes several times. I just say "Sure!" and sit down and do it. You get a lot less attitude from them if you give them less attitude. Just do it already.

BrimhamRocks

I'm sorry you had that experience, Bodi.

I sincerely doubt, however, that *most* security people get any thrill out of making people uncomfortable or upset. More than likely (any airport security people amongst all you Fodorites?), they fit one of two profiles: either genuinely interested in security, or genuinely bored and can't wait until their shift is over.

bodi

I agree completely, and hope I didn't give an 'all' impression, it was one hidious experence out of four, three positives, for one fabulous trip. I am sad that we are not American citizen on American soil, when entering airport security. Police officers are to have a reason, they do not. The other three security points were no problem, and I don't envy any of them the job they are trying to do. I pray they are trained and have the skill to know how to stop a determined terriorist.
If you have a medical problem like spastic MS, metal pins in your bones, replacements ( like the man who dropped his pants to prove his new surgical hip was not a threat), etc., that doesn't mean you fit a 'logical' profile of a threat. I agree, this is a difficult issue, and maybe our feedback may be of help to improve the training. And my main point, is they still didn't check my purse or carry on, and the AG inspection is for checked in luggage, carry on was never examined, so how is that intelligent security?
On more point, I was far from my purse, carry on case, cammeras, and opened wallet, left where anyone could have walked of with it all.