No More Taking Off Your Shoes at Security …

… if you’re age 12 and under AND if you’re traveling through one of six airports, that is.

TSA launched a pilot program earlier this month where kids age 12 and under can leave their shoes on as they walk through the metal detector or body-imaging machine.

I learned this today as I was going through security at the Orlando airport. There are no signs announcing this. I happened to overhear a TSA agent telling this to a family of five as they entered the security line.

TSA will test the new procedures at select checkpoints at the following airports: Boston Logan International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Miami International, Orlando International, Houston (IAH) and Denver International.

This is a huge time-saver for parents, especially with so many families traveling out of Orlando after their visit to Disney World. I did read that the program is operating at the west security checkpoint at Orlando, not every security checkpoint. I went through security by United and Continental, so that may be the west security checkpoint (I’ve never seen a sign indicating the names of the security checkpoints either). This pilot program will continue until national results are tallied. If the results are positive, the program will be adapted at airports nationwide.

The new procedures also allow kids to pass through the machines more than once, if necessary, to determine the reason for any alarms. That should reduce, but not eliminate, pat-downs of children.

For more details, see Screening Pilot for Passengers 12 and Under at the TSA website.

Ah, to be 12 again -:)

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