Has anyone actually been grounded for refusing to remove his or her shoes? According to the TSA’s new policy that took effect on August 13, you won’t be allowed to board your flight if you don’t put your shoes through the x-ray machine. In truth, the former shoe policy wasn’t exactly “voluntary” since noncompliance usually earned you a secondary screening. However, I was never hassled when I wore sandals or flip-flops, and a grin was sometimes enough to get through the metal detector with my sneakers still on my feet. But now, they’re making everyone walk barefoot or in socks! It’s gross and unsanitary, not to mention inconvenient and embarrassing. I still can’t believe that the TSA has gotten away with this practice, which clearly disregards any concern for public health. Several recent studies have definitely shown that it can spread disease. I know we’re allowed to wear disposable booties, which is certainly a lot better than walking barefoot. But can you imagine how much slower the security lines would move if everyone did that? Besides, booties don’t offer much protection from a shard of glass...and don’t think it can’t happen. A few months ago at NY LaGuardia, I noticed a TSO sweeping some broken glass from the tiled floor on the opposite side of the conveyor belt. She’d apparently dropped a confiscated bottle of perfume. Of course, none of the TSO’s checked to see if any bits of glass had scattered across to where everyone, including me, was walking barefoot. So, what would happen if I refused to join the “shoe carnival” the next time I fly? Would I really be grounded, or would they agree to swab my shoes instead? What if I wore very thick socks with a pair of firm inserts (like Dr. Scholls) for added protection? If they noticed the outline through my socks would they be suspicious? Would they force me to take off my socks, and could they ground me if I refused?

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I tried to wear thin airplane slippers twice after this sick policy went into effect and was forced to remove the slippers as well.

It's just one more thing that Kip Hawley will answer for someday.

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.

A link to even one quantified, solid (i.e. peer-reviewed) publication of such please?

I don't agree with the shoe carnival, but this ridiculous stuff about getting diseases from walking around without shoes is pathetic. Those complaining ought to go and take a look at how most of the real world exists - only a minority of the world's population wear closed shoes on a regular basis, and I don't see the majority's feet dropping off...

Big difference between closed/un-closed shoes and either going barefoot or in socks.

If you need a source for that.....I'm sure your Google search will be fruitful.

Although not a qualified, peer-reviewed publication, this link provided more than enough evidence for me. http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?sec...ide&id=4378146

Whenever people comment on the floor being dirty I remind them that they're about to be breathing in recirculated oxygen for the next 8 hours. I always find it amusing what people focus on...

Such as their food going through the X-ray - then I tell them the various radiation and genetic modifications their food has already been subjected to.

I know it's irrational, but I too am disgusted whenever I have to walk barefoot on those gross airport mats. Especially if it's been raining and they put out those mats with little plastic fiber loops....eeeeew!!

Christep I flew to Florida last year had to take off my shoes at EWR. By the time I got to Florida my one foot was starting to itch slightly... The next morning before I checked in for my cruise I had to visit a hospital. Well the end of the story was 400.-USD hospital bill one pair of leather shoes down and a vacation during which I couldn't go to the spa or swim in the pool for the sake of my fellow cruisers. The heat in the Carib. wasn't a comfort either....

Buy a pair of substantial shoes with laces - walking shoes will do - wear them and tell the clowns that they are orthopedic shoes and that you can't remove them.

The clowns also require a doctor's note. Easily producable, but still...

What???

Are you claiming that the x-ray modifies food in a way that is harmful?

And that genetically modified food is harmful too?

You're not a scientist in your time off by any chance, are you?

This one's easy. Wear socks.

Yeah, so we can put infected wet socks back in our shoes after it's been raining or snowing. Great idea.

I've not found that to be the case.

Goalie, what about your experiences? Have you had to show a doctor's note.