There is no standard. Only a screener’s interpretation of vague rule.
From the TSA website:
“If you wear shoes that have thick-soles, including boots, certain athletic shoes, and platform shoes, or have shoes with metal, you will likely be required to undergo additional screening, even if the metal detector does not alarm.
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?th...000519800e12f4
It’s up to the screener to decide what ‘thick’ means. I never remove my shoes, even when it’s “recommended.”
Originally Posted by TSASuper
Second, we are determining if the shoes may possibly have the steel shanks.
Even though you may ‘think’ they have shanks, I know they don’t. This is confirmed when I walk through with them on and there is no alarm. However, many times I am sent to secondary anyway.
The last time this happened at RDU and I was sent to secondary my shoes were never screened, only wanded. But the screener should have known the wand would turn up nothing since they didn’t alarm while walking through the WTMD, no?
Originally Posted by SEA_Tigger
SEA (at least the Concourse D and N checkpoint) requires all footwear to be removed.
This is false. Here is what appears on the TSA website:
“You are NOT REQUIRED to remove your shoes before you enter the walk-through metal detector.” (their emphasis)
http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?th...000519800b68b8
It’s all a time/money wasting exercise that adds zero security.