Special TSA Security Screening for Passengers 75 and older – Passengers 75 and older are not required to remove their shoes and light jacket at the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) checkpoint, and they are allowed an extra pass through Advanced Imaging Technology devices.

In a major policy shift that occurred in July 2025, the TSA officially ended the shoe-removal mandate for all travelers at U.S. airport security checkpoints. Previously, only seniors aged 75 and older and children under 12 were granted this "shoes-on" exemption. However, as of 2026, improved screening technologies and the widespread implementation of REAL ID requirements have made physical shoe removal unnecessary for the general public. While seniors can now walk through the scanners with their footwear on, there are still exceptions: if a shoe triggers an alarm (due to metal inserts or thick platforms), or if a senior is selected for random enhanced screening, they may still be asked to remove them or undergo a pat-down. For those with mobility issues or chronic pain, the 2026 rules also allow for seated screenings. Travelers with medical implants or prosthetic devices should still inform the TSA officer beforehand, as these items will likely trigger sensors even if the shoes themselves are permitted to stay on during the initial walk-through.