At what age does TSA not require you to take your shoes off?

TSA rules that travelers older than 75 can keep their shoes on when passing through airport security.



As of a major policy shift in July 2025, the TSA has officially ended the mandatory shoe-removal rule for all passengers in the United States, regardless of age. This change was made possible by the nationwide rollout of advanced CT scanners and AI-assisted screening technology that can "see through" footwear. Prior to 2025, the exemption only applied to children 12 and under and adults 75 and older. In the 2026 travel landscape, you can now walk through the scanner with your shoes on at standard checkpoints, just as "TSA PreCheck" passengers have done for years. However, the TSA still reserves the right to ask for shoe removal if a specific alarm is triggered or during "randomized" enhanced screenings. For 2026 travelers, this has significantly reduced the bottleneck at security, though you still must remove large electronics and liquids unless you are in a dedicated PreCheck lane.

People Also Ask

Bonus: If you're 75 or older, TSA usually allows you to go through the security pre-check line, which means you don't have to remove your shoes or separate laptops or liquids from your carry-on.

MORE DETAILS

Bonus: If you're 75 or older, TSA usually allows you to go through the security pre-check line, which means you don't have to remove your shoes or separate laptops or liquids from your carry-on.

MORE DETAILS

Taking off our shoes at the airport has become the new normal for almost everyone traveling on a commercial flight. Exceptions to the rule: security pre-screened passengers with TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR, the elderly (over 75), and children under the age of 12.

MORE DETAILS

You may leave on your shoes and light jacket during screening. If you alarm during security screening, you may be required to remove your shoes for further screening or undergo a pat-down. You can request to be seated during this portion of the screening.

MORE DETAILS

Do seniors automatically get PreCheck? No. Anyone who wants to receive PreCheck needs to apply. However, TSA does provide people who are 75 years old or older access to an expedited screening process in the regular screening lines: You can keep your light jacket and shoes on.

MORE DETAILS

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

MORE DETAILS

(Airlines, however, have their own set of rules about children and IDs, so check beforehand. And passports are always required on international flights.) TSA agents may ask a child how old he or she is. Those 18 and older need a government-issued ID just like everyone else -- and a student ID with a photo won't do.

MORE DETAILS

Do seniors automatically get PreCheck? No. Anyone who wants to receive PreCheck needs to apply. However, TSA does provide people who are 75 years old or older access to an expedited screening process in the regular screening lines: You can keep your light jacket and shoes on.

MORE DETAILS

It is generally recommended to remove all metal items, including underwire bras, before going through airport security. Can I wear an underwire bra to an airport? Yes you can wear an underwire bra. Depending on TSA standards in scanning, a metal detector may be sensitive enough to pick-up the bra.

MORE DETAILS

How to Book Senior Discounts. Airlines offer senior discounts to those generally over the age of 50. But it is different for each airline. You will need to book through the airline's website or call center and provide your date of birth and proof of age when booking.

MORE DETAILS

If you are a senior traveling alone, you can still get a loved one to escort you to the gate of boarding, even if they do not have a ticket. They just have to make sure to present a government-issued ID at the airport counter.

MORE DETAILS

Download and complete a Notification Card to be provided to the TSA officer who will be conducting your screening. The Notification Card is intended to describe your health condition, disability or medical device to the TSA officer in a discreet manner, helping to ensure your privacy.

MORE DETAILS

Passenger airlines allow elderly 80-90 year olds with heart conditions to fly for leisure. Hi Colonel, The only time that passengers are restricted is if there is a justified concern as to their wellbeing during the flight (pregnancies in their final month are an example) or if they are considered a danger to others.

MORE DETAILS

Think the usuals, like shampoo, toothpaste, and aerosol or roll-on liquid deodorant (solid deodorant isn't regulated by the 3-1-1 rule). But here are some surprising items that the TSA prohibits in carry-on luggage.

MORE DETAILS

Spray, Gel, Liquid, Cream, Pastes, and Roll-On deodorants need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and placed in a clear quart-sized baggie.

MORE DETAILS

Back here in the U.S., though, 3-1-1 remains the prevailing order, for the foreseeable future, when it comes to liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes. And those rules remain: No single bottles of more than 3.4 ounces, all bottles in one clear plastic bag, with no more than one such bag per passenger.

MORE DETAILS

Bottom line: You're never too old to travel.

MORE DETAILS

There's nothing like that. Even a 90 yearbold or 100 year old can travel on a flight, if he's fit to travel either with or without the help of a wheel chair. As long as the traveller is healthy, it doesn't matter. As long as they are healthy enough to reach the destination there are no restrictions.

MORE DETAILS

Although air travel is one of the safest forms of transport, the environment within the aircraft cabin may have adverse physiological effects on passengers, especially those with underlying medical problems. The older person may be more susceptible to complications during long-distance flights [1].

MORE DETAILS

The fastest and easiest way to enroll in TSA PreCheck® is to start the application online.

MORE DETAILS

When you enroll in TSA Pre?® (valid for 5 years), you'll speed through expedited security lines without the need to remove your shoes, laptop, liquids, belt, or lightweight jacket.

MORE DETAILS