Originally Posted by KathrynFlyingAway

Michelle,
Yes, that area certainly is icky: consider getting a bunch of those nylon socklets like they have at shoe stores.

I always travel with my alcohol gel (make sure it's at least 60% concentration), and use it on my hands before and after putting my shoes back on. Of course now the gel has to be in my freedom baggie, but at least the baggie is easy to access

People who are medically unable to remove their shoes are allowed to keep them on. They will have their shoes inspected and swabbed after the metal detector. Passengers with canes who cannot walk while their cane is xrayed can ask for the TSA to help, and the TSA is required to do so.

However, this doesn't mean a particular TSA agent won't get huffy when being told about this. An aquaintance of mine told the screener she couldn't remove her shoes, and got a faceful of "Yes you can. You look healthy. What condition do you have?" before the supervisor stopped the agent's practice of medicine without a licence.