Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a July 8 statement that TSA expects the policy change "will drastically decrease passenger wait times at our TSA checkpoints, leading to a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience.

“Leave your shoes on for now,” one TSA agent told travelers. “But keep your pockets empty.” According to a Homeland Security memo about the change obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle, travelers may still be required to remove their shoes if their footwear triggers an alarm at a scanner or magnetometer.

Citing unnamed sources, several outlets report that TSA is no longer requiring the general public to remove shoes for screening at some airports.