Socks are not sufficient protection for the type of issues (potential and actual) being discussed with regards to walking through the WTMD or as protection for a diabetic. If you think those areas are clear of possible sharp objects (a dropped staple can cause major issues) and other dangers, you would be so very wrong.

It a unhygienic, disgusting requirement that needs to be corrected - the paper shoes aren't sufficient or real protection (they are meant to be worn OVER shoes not INSTEAD OF shoes), either. Either AMA is wetting their lips over all the business they will have soon, has been bought off by the administration to keep quiet or should be coming out with a statement soon identifying issues with the setup. I'm thinking it's unfortunately the middle option as they've been overly silent since this ridiculous process began.

A couple of the above posts are very timely to this:

An acquaintence e-mailed me yesterday to advise that he got through security at two different airports in "violation" of the new security rules.

I'm not going to share the names of the locations as I fear that officials from those locations might read this and then crackdown on their screeners.

Anyway, my friend got through one airport with gel inserts in athletic shoes. He remove the insole and put the gel insert under the insole and nobody noticed.

At the second airport, he absolutely refused to remove his shoes telling the screeners he had diabetes (he is actually borderline so it wasn't too much of a fabrication) and his shoes were special shoes made for his "condition" - he never said they were orthopedic.

Further, he got toothpaste through - he tried to explain but I'm not certain that I understand. Somehow or another I believe he put a travel sized tube in his socks - was it in the socks he was wearing or concealed in his socks in his carryon, I'm not certain. If I find out, I'll advise.

What do you think about trying to fit liquid facial soap under this rule? It is non-perscription and an essential part of my regime to avoid acne.

Noticed this on tsa.gov: Can anyone explain to me what that is even supposed to mean?

Is this meant for passengers or screeners?????

It means it's not nice to try and fool the TSA. They are perfectly capable of doing that themselves without our assistance.

Translation:

We also ask that you follow the guidelines above with sheep-like obedience.

From the TSA website: "Disposable booties or slippers may be worn through the checkpoint to help protect your feet, but they must be disposed of prior to leaving the screening area."

So, could I buy cheap flip-flops to wear thru security and then dispose of them in screening area? What exactly is a "bootie" when applied to an adult? And I think in Hawaii, rubber flip-flops are the standard for a "slipper."

I may have to check out the shoe -- I mean bootie and slipper -- selection at our local dollar store!

-- Suzanne

Methinks you are over-thinkng the guideline here

"over-think" is a modern example of Doublespeak, a concept straight from the Thought Police in 1984. Used in sentences such as:

I used to think all the similarities between HS and Big Brother were purely coincidental, but now realize I was over-thinking.

I believe booties are the blue, medical style things meant to be worn over shoes in sterile settings.

IME, these are designed more to keep any dirt, dust, bacteria, etc on one's shoes from getting on the floor, not really to keep the grunge from the floor off of the shoes. Maybe they do that as well... I don't know.

So far I like the disposable flip flop idea. I bet one could purchase a bunch of those post pedicure flip flops fairly inexpensively to be used at checkpoints. I found some here for $0.40 per pair. ($40 for 100 pair) Here's another site that has 12 pair for $4.80. Another site selling 10 pair for $6.65. More, including paper slippers, 100 for 15.99. This site seems to have the best prices... lots of different kinds.

Do any of you remember when you used to have to walk through a footbath to enter a public swimming pool?

That's what we just may get if we keep complaining about germs on bare feet. Remove you shoes, step in the germicide, splash your way to the other side.

And you think the shoe carnival is a joke now ....

Geez, folks! Why are we spending even a nickel on this nonsense?

There are some screeners at EWR who would make you remove these as well, even before this latest nonsense.

Totally agree! ^