But let's not forget this part from here: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...al_1370.shtm#3

Lol this video is the epitome of security theatre. First they state that it's easier to scan shoes if they're out of the bin. Then they are like "well if you're concerned about your expensive shoes getting damaged then you can put them in a bin", then at the end they are like "well soon you'll be able to keep your shoes on anyway". LOL. :rolleyes:

Maybe because everyone was first disarmed by the agent checking our IDs who was announcing who was on their way home and who was going to Hilo as a visitor and who wanted to "talk story" about Hilo with each of us. He was a very nice elderly Japanese man. As is ordinary in Hawaii, I saw about ten people I knew (about half of them I had met on the morning flight over) who asked me about my bandaged face and the ID agent asked me if I knew his relative who lives very near to me.

Then as we were putting our things in the bins we all started laughing because one of the agents checking items on the belt was loudly singing a ridiculous song parodying "Don't Touch My Junk". It was hilarious (about how to avoid getting "too much love" from the TSA). So, I think most removed their shoes out of habit and distraction and I also think a lot did not read the rules so didn't notice the change. I said something to the person next me and we wondered if we should remove them or not and wondered if the change was "real" even though it was on an official sign. I always wear pantihose or knee highs even with sandals unless I have shorts on so I wasn't worried about catching toe nail fungus or something if I was bare footed.

Another different thing was there was no search of automobiles entering the parking lot at Hilo but the sign about searching cars was still there. So, I suppose it was because it was 5AM.

I remember being told I could leave them on some time ago but mostly not. In fact at least once I've kept them on despite being told I didn't need to because I knew they would set off the WTMD. Which airports had which when I don't recall.

Going through LAS yesterday afternoon as while in line for screening TSA had video signage and one sign stated that shoes did not have to be removed but not doing so would likely result in increased screening.

That caught my eye.

Also while not related to this thread the LAS D checkpoint had no NOS in operation on a busy Friday afternoon.

I thought that a bit strange.

Are you saying that at ITO they search all cars entering the airport? Or are you referring to the general cautionary sign that cars are subject to search? They simply do not search every car at the vast majority of airports because the wait time would be astronomical.

A few years ago shoe removal was 'optional' but as FT shows, 'optional' meant something very different to many TSOs, just as the removal of orthopedic shoes and medical devices may not be 'required' but is interpreted differently by many TSOs.

And I can assure you that I was peeved to see TSOs getting angry at foreign passengers who didn't remove their shoes a few days ago. It peeved me because there was no signage to remove shoes, and since we don't play the shoe game in the rest of the world, there was no way to know this.

TSA may be moving to 'shoe removal is again optional' but if a TSO confirms this, it is just like the quart/gallon bag issue - very poorly executed.

I just flew out of Hilo last night and didn't see that sign about shoes at security. And I've never had my car searched at that airport, or even seen anyone who would be in a position to search it.

Uh, yea, shoe scanning is so... 2002. TSA has much more fun things with which to occupy their time. Would you rather touch smelly shoes all day long, or grab strangers' crotches? I think the answer is pretty obvious.

Plus terrorists have stopped putting bombs in shoes, it has been proven that they put it in thier underwear now.

This isn't a policy change at all.

Shoe removal has always been "optional", with "Additional security" (I.E. Auto Secondary Grope-Fest) if you don't "Volunteer".

Makes sense in a way.

TSA: Let's tell them now that they can keep their shoes on. It' will make it look as if we're giving in on something. And now, if they do go through WTMD it will be more likely to set it off and now we can feel up even more people. HIGH FIVE! Raises for everyone!