[QUOTE=Flyer1965]The big difference though is that (hopefully) people wash their hands throughout the day and should be cleaner and less smelly than someone popping out their smelly feet and cleaning out their toe jam
[QUOTE]
I agree about cleaning ones feet on the plane. If they smell, though, they'll smell just as much with socks on...probably more. For this argument, barefoot would be at least as good as socks...probably better.
Originally Posted by Flyer1965
For safety, I don't ever take off my shoes till we're airborne and I put them back on before landing so if we have to evac suddenly I have some protection.
I do this as well. The issues about safety really only apply in these cases. Once you're at altitude, the reality is that it is very unlikely that there will be an evacuation or that slides will be used. At that point, it really doesn't matter whether ones shoes are on or off when the plane hits the ground.
Cheers.