While I agree that walking without shoes at a checkpoint is nasty what about all the things you touch in your everyday life? Not everyone washes their hands regularly. http://www.hygenius.com/importance.htm. How about the recirculated air that you breath in buildings and on passenger aircraft?http://www.webmd.com/content/article/49/39915 How about that new immigrant that you work with everyday that could have TB? http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNew..._name=&no_ads= My point is that germs are everywhere not just on the floor at the airport checkpoint.