After informing a companion that sneakers did not have to be removed from the feet when instructed to do so by a Transportation Security Administration agent while going through the metal detector at the security checkpoint at Los Angeles International Airport recently, I walked through the metal detector and was immediately directed over to the line for a secondary security screening. I was never instructed to have my sneakers taken off by the original Transportation Security Administration agent, who definitely heard what I had said to my companion. I did not yell or create a scene in any way.

After instructing my companion to proceed to the gate without me, I was asked by a different Transportation Security Administration agent (who was to perform the secondary screening) if I understood why I was selected for a secondary screening.

Canarsie: Yes — because I informed my companion that the removal of sneakers was not mandatory and that a passenger has a right to refuse to do so.

Transportation Security Administration agent: No — it is because all passengers who refuse to remove their shoes are required to go through the secondary screening process.

Canarsie: I am a frequent traveler, and my experience is that — except for Palm Beach International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport — I never am required to remove my sneakers, and these sneakers have been through countless security checkpoints throughout the United States.

Transportation Security Administration agent: Well, then all of the other airports are not following procedure.

Canarsie: How can that be?

Transportation Security Administration agent: Passengers who wear shoes whose soles are the thickness of one inch or greater are required to remove their shoes or be processed through a secondary screening.

Canarsie: ...but the soles on my sneakers are not even one inch thick!

Transportation Security Administration agent: That is a judgment call for me to decide.

Canarsie: I am very well aware of the rules pertaining to shoe removal when being screened at security checkpoints, and there is no rule about requiring shoes with soles one inch thick or greater to be removed from one’s feet or else definitely endure the process of a secondary screening.

Transportation Security Administration agent: That is definitely the rule, sir.

Canarsie: Wait a minute — if what you say is true, how come that boy was allowed to proceed through security without removing his sneakers? His soles are definitely at least one inch thick.

Transportation Security Administration agent: He is younger than twelve years of age, and passengers younger than the age of twelve years may proceed through security without removing their shoes.

Canarsie: You mean to tell me that if someone wanted to place a shoe bomb in the shoes of anyone younger than twelve years old, that is allowed? That does not make any sense!

Transportation Security Administration agent: I agree that the rule does not make any sense, but I am only doing my job as I have been instructed, and I am only following the rules.

The entire exchange was civil, and the secondary screening really did not take very long. The soles on the sneakers that I wore that day are old and somewhat worn — they definitely were not one inch thick.

I intentionally left out commentary because I am curious as to the opinions of other FlyerTalk members. If I remember anything I had accidentally omitted or if there are any questions pertaining to my experience, I will post to this thread accordingly.