r/comics • u/tinyviewcomics tinyviewcomics • Aug 11 '26

OC "Americentricity" by Itchy Feet

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2.1k

u/Khan_Man Aug 11 '26

I dont know if it's different for international travel, but for domestic flights Americans dont have to take their shoes off at airport security anymore unless you are opting out of the Nude Scantron 5000 machine.

I will say that including sales tax in the marketed price was equal parts shocking and gratifying, as portrayed 😀

694

u/PolitenessPolice Aug 11 '26

And in Europe we used to have to remove our shoes. Been phased out for a while, but ten years ago? The shoes came off. Still need to if your shoes have any metal in them.

321

u/pkcommando Aug 11 '26

Due to various life stuff, I haven't flown since 2015. My starting airport was giving us grief for not knowing we no longer had to remove our shoes. Literally yelling down the security line and loudly grumbling about our ignorance. On the return flight, we still had to take off our shoes at that airport. 

260

u/BeMoreKnope Aug 11 '26

The lack of patience airport staff have for people not knowing the rules at that particular airport is honestly hilarious at this point.

84

u/BlindMan404 Aug 11 '26

TSA made me put my cane through the machine and limp through the scanner, then stand on the other side of the checkpoint and wait for the agent to disassemble my cane just to confirm it had a fucking screw in it holding it together, then half-assed putting it back together and made me come get it partially disassembled.

This was only a couple months ago in Atlanta, GA. Honestly I now absolutely hate the TSA.

28

u/afroblewmymind Aug 11 '26

Ooh, yeah... Heartfield is a TERRIBLE airport. Adjusting to it was one of the first adjustments of moving to GA. Terrible signage and not a single staff member has a sense of urgency for anything. Which is fine, ya know, it's not like people got places to be. Or a plane to catch.

I'm sorry you had to go through that, that's super frustrating.

11

u/WoodsandWool Aug 11 '26

All of that bullshit and they still have like a 80% failure rate 🤦‍♀️

5

u/ecwagner01 Aug 11 '26

Atlanta TSA is the WORST. I think they only hire people that are always pissed off and willing to go that extra mile to be dickheads.

4

u/Competitive-Beat-493 Aug 11 '26

I would have insisted they get me a wheelchair. Considering take your cane from you and not aiding you is a liability, I imagine you’d have an annoyed TSA agent going to get you a wheel chair immediately.

4

u/inerlite Aug 12 '26

There is a wood cane at every airport I’ve been to for just this occasion.

4

u/BlindMan404 Aug 12 '26

Wow. "Wood" have been nice if they'd offered it.

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u/GaryGarrison612 Aug 11 '26

Security at the Orlando airport pulled a similar stunt with the crutches that my one legged grandmother used to get around. This happened about a week before 9/11.

2

u/Cow_Launcher Aug 11 '26

Conversely, my late grandfather carried a swordstick through security in Miami twice without anyone detecting it.

Bless him, he had no idea it was a potential problem until my dad pointed it out to him. Grandad was a retired Army Colonel and MI-6. Never occurred to him that he would ever be challenged about it.

87

u/Tricky-Ad7897 Aug 11 '26

Tsa is notorious for having extremely low hiring standards. You might not even need a GED to join the TSA lol

51

u/SlapTheBap Aug 11 '26

Because almost no one wants to work a job where everyone thinks you're an asshole, and you're at fault legally if you let a terrorist through.

43

u/Collegenoob Aug 11 '26

When because the TSA constantly fails simulated checks

7

u/Masquelinity Aug 11 '26

Which really shows just how airline terrorism is a complete non-problem. The only people trying to sneak stuff through TSA are the TSA-testers.

11

u/SlapTheBap Aug 11 '26

Yes they do! You're right. I learned that in the same report I learned the other points. I think it might have been This American Life?

5

u/Character-Parfait-42 Aug 11 '26

I learned it in Adam Ruins Everything. They have an episode on Security Theater (when stuff looks like it should make stuff safer, but doesn’t actually work).

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u/A_Queer_Owl Aug 12 '26

you get to steal A LOT of shit, tho, so it evens out.

2

u/Competitive-Beat-493 Aug 11 '26

I don’t think that’s accurate. Also TSA lets so much crap through. They’re not nearly as effective as they make it look.

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u/Djinger Aug 11 '26

scuse me sir just need to take a look inside ya asshoe

6

u/devils_advocate24 Aug 11 '26

That or even just the rules they make up. Had a lighter in my pocket and was at the airport for a couple hours. I'd go out and smoke, had gone in and out about 3 or 4 times now. Go out again, next shift comes in and now won't let me back in with my lighter that had just gone through this security gate multiple times and the TSA guy was angry that I even had the audacity to attempt it...

2

u/jj7878 Aug 11 '26

they're inconsistent too. i flew out for work twice in a month. first time i could leave my laptops in my bag no problem. second time i got reamed for not taking them out, and then for having 2 laptops and an ipad and holding up the line. same airport and destination, same devices.

1

u/Far_Raspberry_4375 Aug 12 '26

Airport security is just allowed to be mean as fuck to people for no reason. I dont understand why its just accepted. These airports are private companies they should expect a karen to be sicced on them.

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u/TheTyger Aug 11 '26

I had a recent business trip and had 2 laptops and an e-reader in my backpack. At security, there was first a person saying electronics stay in bags, and then at the belt I was told they all had to come out. They don't even know the rules at the same checkpoint.

18

u/gtne91 Aug 11 '26

Different lines have different rules even. I was at an airport last month where the guy in one line was saying "leave electronics in bag" and next line over guy was saying "take electronics out".

4

u/greeneggiwegs Aug 11 '26

Tbf some of that might have to do with the actual tech. On the same line is ridiculous though.

3

u/Ok-Morning3407 Aug 12 '26

Many airports are rolling out new advanced x-ray machines, which allow you to leave your electronics in the bag. So you can end up with one line having the new machines and the line next to it the old machines and thus the old rule.

It was like that for about a year in my local airport, all the regular travellers knew to head to the far left line to get the new machines that you didn’t have to take your electronics out for. They have now replaced all the machines.

1

u/NorwegianCollusion Aug 12 '26

The rule is that whatever you did is the wrong thing to do.

This happens everywhere people get authority. Like when there was a guy at the security check at FRA who dedicated his day to chastising people for having their passport in their hand. "This is security, not immigration".

Not even 3 minutes later we get to the gate and have to present passports. Thanks, man. That was really helpful.

1

u/krzyk Aug 12 '26

It depends on the scanner you have at your line. New ones don't need electronics to be taken out, older do.

7

u/Own_Reaction9442 Aug 11 '26

It's especially dumb since some shoes absolutely will alert (Doc Martin's are kind of infamous for it) and if you know you have a pair that will, taking them off ahead of time saves everyone time.

3

u/greeneggiwegs Aug 11 '26

Anything with a heel or a thick sole is an issue because they can’t see through it on the body scan. It’s really just a thicc measurer. I have a shitton of hair and I’ve set it off in certain hairstyles before.

2

u/Own_Reaction9442 Aug 11 '26

My hair gets flagged if I have it in a ponytail, but not if I leave it loose.

1

u/EpilepticPuberty Aug 12 '26

I was told the steel shank in some heavy duty boots can also be a problem.

2

u/captjackjack Aug 11 '26

and they are all such jerks about it. "I dont know how to make this any dumber for you folks" is something I heard this summer.

1

u/AthosAlonso Aug 12 '26

They're not even the ones making the rules and processes anyway.

2

u/Lokalaskurar Aug 11 '26

"First time seeing a screw-on sole, officer?"

  • That guy who buys shoes from a cobbler.

1

u/Competitive-Beat-493 Aug 11 '26

To be fair, you should really research laws and regulations BEFORE you travel… for example, you can flight out of Arizona with weed but you will be going to jail when you arrive at your destination if it’s illegal there.
Also, TSA is rude and yells at everyone. You’re not special. We all experience the grating show of their theater security.

1

u/LonerActual Aug 11 '26

Due to various life stuff, I haven't flown since 2015

You can just say money, it's ok we're all being squeezed dry.

1

u/Life_Is_Regret Aug 11 '26

You didn’t have to take your shoes off at the same airport “on the way back”.

It boils down to what scanning machines they have. Sounds like your original departure has new machines, your return flight airport did not.

1

u/MizStazya Aug 12 '26

I'm in the same boat. Last flew in 2016, took a flight earlier this year. I watched everyone go through security ahead of me and was like, I don't have to take off my shoes anymore‽ My laptop stays IN my bag‽‽‽ Scan me, bitches!!!!!!!!

1

u/Tempest_in_a_TARDIS Aug 12 '26

The last time I flew, the TSA guy scolded me and my cousin for taking our tablets out for the scanners. But the time before that (same airport), they had said that electronics should be separate!

1

u/Specific_Dingo6709 Aug 12 '26

They'll yell at you whatever you do. TSA employees are angry, condescending folk.

5

u/Ashura_98 Aug 11 '26

In special situations like orthopedic shoes you also need to remove them. I have a medical need to have one shoe with a huge heel, and mine always have to come out. It's always a bit of a problem in smaller airports without dedicated security gates for disabled individuals, between my shoes and having to disassemble my crutch I always make a huge queue behind me...

2

u/AzenNinja Aug 11 '26

I had to take off my shoes in Madrid this last summer. They were Converse and I was told to do so before even going through the metal detector. Admittedly it wasn't everyone, but most 80% of people had to take off their shoes.

Worst airport I've ever been at. Next time I'll pay the few hundred extra to not have to lay over there.

1

u/luluciee Aug 12 '26

I was wearing a pair of Converse going through Dublin, and they told me to take them off. I think it's to do with if they're higher than the ankle

2

u/Euffy Aug 11 '26

Definitely still do. I'd say maybe 60% of my flights I get asked to remove my shoes. All going around Europe. Definitely did it multiple times last year.

2

u/LOOKATHUH Aug 12 '26

I wear boots, not even crazy ones just doc martens , I still have to take them off

1

u/brewdog_millionaire Aug 11 '26

I thought you still had to do that, but I haven't been on holiday in a decade, so IDK

1

u/AmaranthWrath Aug 11 '26

Do not wear my tap shoes to the airport. Czech.

1

u/NegativeMammoth2137 Aug 11 '26

You still have to do that at some airports. Schiphol airport in Amsterdam always makes me take mine off for security

1

u/Ha55aN1337 Aug 11 '26

The whole world did because 9/11. Before we didn’t. So it still kinda came from the US.

1

u/chetlin Aug 11 '26

It was because of this guy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Reid who did this 3 months after 9/11. He's British and was on a flight from Paris to Miami so it kind of "came from" Europe :P

1

u/millers_left_shoe Aug 11 '26

When I flew from Dublin to Berlin in March of this year they made me take off my shoes despite no metal. They were annoying shoes to take off too.

1

u/Donner_Party_Animal Aug 11 '26

I had it happen to me leaving Munich in early 2025. Not sure why. Or maybe it was Madrid. I don't remember. But one of them I definitely needed to.

1

u/TheGeekOffTheStreet Aug 11 '26

In Italy last month they had signs that you had to remove your shoes if they covered your ankles

1

u/greeneggiwegs Aug 11 '26

Yeah I flew around around Covid times to and from Europe/the us and I remember having to take off shoes and pull everything out of my bag during that time

Although I was usually in Britain so who knows what they’re up to over there.

1

u/Alternative-Bath-301 Aug 11 '26

Not just metal(usually boots), Any type of high tops.

1

u/jugglegeese Aug 11 '26

My experience is if the shoes end on the ankles they don't ask to remove them, but things like boots, or sneakers like Converse, they asked me to take them off. So now I make sure to wear the kind I can keep.

1

u/trash-_-boat Aug 11 '26

I've flown a lot around Europe from 2009 and the only time I've ever needed to take my shoes off when I had a layover in Atlanta, US.

1

u/yourownsquirrel Aug 11 '26

I was gonna say, I distinctly remember running through the airport in Paris with my shoes half on after security, but that was 2015 which I now realize, with horror, was over 10 years ago

1

u/onespiker Aug 12 '26

Varied on the country.

1

u/idontlieiswearit Aug 12 '26

I flew from Spain to Sweden a few months ago, and in Spain they almost hit me when I didn't remove my shoes, also they made me use a different plastic tray for each one of my electronics, 1 for the cellphone, 1 for my laptop, 1 for the Nintendo, etc.

1

u/krzyk Aug 12 '26

Nowadays airports add new scanners and the liquid limit was bumped to 2l and I finally don't need to take out my electronics from backpack (well, they usually check it either way because I have 2 laptops, a tablet, second mobile, powerbanks, etc. - basically I carry all electronics of our family).

I have those at my home airport, it is nice.

1

u/Pulstar_Alpha Aug 12 '26

I think the only time I got asked to remove them at a European airport was in 2019 because they made the metal detector beep. Usually I flew with my everyday casual shoes on, but that time around I didn't pack them since I was going to a conference and wanted to save space. Other than that at least going back as far as 2016 I don't recall having to take them off.

1

u/Fdorleans Aug 12 '26

And in Europe we used to have to remove our shoes. Been phased out for a while, but ten years ago? The shoes came off

Color me surprised. I have taken tens of flights in the 2000s- 2010s. I flew to various countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. I have never taken my shoes off. Not once.

1

u/At_least_be_polite Aug 12 '26

I've only ever seen needing to remove shoes when they went above the ankle in any European countries I've been to and you still have to remove boots in a few of them.

1

u/PoxedGamer Aug 12 '26

I had to do it last winterr on a trip to/from England, though the year before did not in an in-EU trip.

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u/Ich-bade-in-Apfelmus Aug 12 '26

Huh here in Europe I feel like they randomly tell you to take your shoes off. I feel like security is different in every airport anyway.

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u/[deleted] Aug 11 '26

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u/whystudywhensleep Aug 11 '26

I ask every time about shoes, electronics, and liquids, and they look at me like I’m stupid every time. They also give me a different answer every time, even from the same airport. Shoes do seem to be permanently staying on now though, but taking out liquids and/or electronics still switches constantly lol

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u/AzenNinja Aug 11 '26

Don't forget about the belt. I've been yelled at for taking it off and for keeping it on at the same airport, days apart.

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u/Alternative_Salt_424 Aug 11 '26

Oh yeah, and they gotta yell, because that's super conducive to a calm and orderly process

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u/EmeraldKabalite Aug 12 '26

Only if you don’t take it personally.

Folks in situations like that yell so that others in the line hear the correction. If they just say it to you, they have hundreds of people ready to suffer the exact same confusion, get halfway through making the mistake, get corrected, get their clothes readjusted, and then get on with the process.

That’s irritating for them, and worse, slows the line for you. So they correct people loudly enough to *prevent* some mistakes.

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u/eisbock Aug 12 '26

I wonder if having a big sign of what to do right as you need to do it might be useful here. Nah... that makes too much sense.

1

u/BTLove100 Aug 12 '26

The yelling seems to be infinitely worse in NY. I fly out of Salt Lake and they could not be nicer about question. Even in Boston, TSA is nice. NY just a nightmare though.

1

u/PleaseHelpFlorida Aug 11 '26

Belt is never required unless it alarms. If you want to risk it alarming, you are free to do so.

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u/inVizi0n Aug 11 '26

TPA has had me take it off every single time.

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u/PleaseHelpFlorida Aug 11 '26

If you are talking about the TSO at the x-ray, just say "no thanks" and head to the body scanner or metal detector. If it doesn't alarm, it doesn't have to come off, period. Some TSOs will make it seem like you must put it in the x-ray because they don't want the alarm when you leave it on, SOP says otherwise.

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u/AzenNinja Aug 11 '26

Yeah, I'm going to enter into a discussion with a person that's already yelling at me for no reason. That seems like a solid plan...

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u/PleaseHelpFlorida Aug 11 '26

Don't need to discuss it at all, simply walk away from the x-ray with belt on. Just letting you know it's an option.

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u/quinnito Aug 12 '26

I just strip down to my underwear if they give me a hard time.

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u/iamnos Aug 11 '26

Yeah, it's crazy the difference between individuals. We were on a trip with our two kids in wheelchairs. We had flown into the US (from Canada), and we were waiting in line to clear customs. A customs lady pulls us out of line and directs us to another counter. We push the kids up, and the guy looks at us and says, "You're not supposed to be in this line. It's only for disabled people". We point to the kids in the chairs; he looks, kind of huffs, and takes our passports.

Another time, coming back into Canada at the border crossing. My wife and I had just crossed over to pick up a package. I pull up and stop, try to hand over my passport, he won't take it. My wife hands me hers, he won't take both. We had to open both up to the picture page and stack them together like that. There was no sign, and he wouldn't tell us what I was doing wrong.

I get these people do this every day, but I don't. If you have a specific way you want things done, fine, I'm not going to argue with customs in any country, but have the courtesy to tell me how you want it done, or have a sign and point to it at the very least.

4

u/einstyle Aug 11 '26

Sometimes it literally just depends on which line you're in at the airport. They have one type of scanner, keep everything in your bag and you're an idiot for thinking otherwise. They have a different type of scanner, how dare you try and bring a BOMB disguised as a LAPTOP in your bag.

It's frankly ridiculous. I get it, TSA is probably a thankless and boring job but with extremely high pressure. But don't take it out on travelers who genuinely are just trying to get from point A to point B and follow the rules.

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u/misterfluffykitty Aug 11 '26

I have hiking shoes and they made me take them off a few days ago when I entered Spain, they only had regular metal detectors though and only people with boots or heavy duty looking shoes had to take them off which was just really just me and one other guy.

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u/alan_blood Aug 12 '26

If it was before a metal detector maybe they were singling out boots because some have steel toe and it's easier to just say all boots come off?

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u/BrainDamage2029 Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26

It’s because introducing randomness allows you to take advantage of certain checks at certain times while not using all security measures at all times and slowing the screening process to a crawl everyday. The line going slow is also its own security concern.

It’s the one part that’s not complete security theater. When I was a DoD civilian on the base security screening side we did this all the time in bases, buildings, and contractor off-site locations (gate guards were always annoyed by it though).

The downside for TSA is the confusion from customers not knowing what to do in line is its own slowdown. We had a great advantage that military and military contractors are, first, used to random shit being thrown their way. Second, there’s a giant sign for us entering that says “on a military base crossing the government property line is a waiver of your 4th amendment rights under US Code #123 and US Supreme Court case “Smith” vs United States 1870

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u/PleaseHelpFlorida Aug 11 '26

It depends on which x-ray machine your bag goes into. 

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u/Ok-Morning3407 Aug 12 '26

The liquids/electronics is because they are gradually rolling out new advanced x-ray machines that shouldn’t need to take them out. But there have been issues with the new machines, at least in Europe, so they went back to the old rules for a while and are now gradually switching back to it.

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u/QuietContentResting Aug 12 '26

Have you ever had a cow look at you intelligently? Same thing

1

u/ShiningShimmering0 Aug 12 '26

Flew about a month ago. The guy wanted everything IN my bag. Even things I didn't originally have in my bag. He wanted every little thing in the bag. Phone? Not allowed to sit loose in the bin. The watch I just took off? Put it in the bag. My dad's wallet because he put it next to my bag in the bin? Nope. It's now in my bag.

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u/roostersnuffed Aug 12 '26

Honestly I think its a little power play game they play amongst themselves. Every single fucking time Im treated like a ret ard for expecting the same standard of my last flight in same airport.

I can accept policy change, but the belittling tone because I didnt guess the change 100% is enraging.

My favorite is when they want to physically inspect your bag. My buddy gave me this weird spoon leaf thing he sculpted out of copper and it was forgotten in an oddball pocket. She rapid fired questions, listened to none of my answers. She would raise her voice if my hand even got close to the bag. I stood there for 20 mins trying to explain where the pocket was, earing her cunt ass attitude the whole time. I wanted to strangle her.

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u/deucescarefully Aug 11 '26

Sometimes you’re going through one line and you’ll see the line directly across from you doing things totally differently. It’s a joke.

5

u/CowboyLaw Comic Crossover Aug 11 '26

When the game is made up, how can the rules be real?

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u/PsychologicalSign433 Aug 12 '26

Sometimes they have different equipment on different lines.

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u/Careful-Criticism645 Aug 11 '26

I've had two TSA agents standing 10ft apart give me conflicting instructions about whether or not my laptop needed to come out of the bag. The second one definitely gave me the "you idiot" look.

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u/efstajas Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26

Honestly TSA can go fuck itself. They are SO RUDE and SO STRESSY, with honestly remarkable consistency.

Last time I visited the US I approached TSA in Newark, I saw zero signs regarding whether I need to take my laptop out or not anywhere, so I asked the TSA lady. Her response was "SIR I'VE SAID IT THREE TIMES" I said "uh, sorry, I guess I didn't hear then", and then she SCREAMS "LAPTOPS ... OUT!!! LAPTOPS OUT!!! LAPTOPS OUT!!" as she walks away.

Like, lady, I'm sorry that telling people to take their laptops out is your job. But it ain't my fault.

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u/AdvancedSandwiches Aug 12 '26

I wish there was any consequence for them being dickholes.  You can't talk back to them or you'll moss your flight / get banned, you can't report them for being power tripping jerks, and if you could, nothing would happen. I generally know what to do in security, but the number of times I've seen them absolutely bully the shit out of someone near me is incredible.

I went through Copenhagen's security recently. They were so god damn friendly. It was amazing. 

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u/efstajas Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26

Definitely had somewhat rude security in the EU at times, but TSA is just in another league. I've had plenty of pleasant, even fun interactions with security at EU airports, didn't even get close to that with TSA ever.

I really think it just comes down to training - TSA seems to generally see passengers as potential enemies to antagonize. Obviously I'm exaggerating, but that's just how it feels. And the working conditions probably play a big role as well.

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u/AdvancedSandwiches Aug 12 '26

I've certainly run into EU security that have absolutely sucked as well. France and Italy were both bigger jerks than my typical US experience.

I was just really impressed by Copenhagen specifically. 

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u/Jhiffi Aug 11 '26

Can confirm. Just had this this year going home from Las Vegas.

Home airport didn't need shoes off and looked at me like 🫪 when they saw I had em off already and meanwhile the LV airport TSA guy clearly annoyed answered "always" when I asked if I needed them off there lmao

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u/Sarcastic-Potato Aug 11 '26

I feel like they purposefully do it like that just to fuck with us

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u/CuppaJoe11 Aug 12 '26

Every single TSA line has someone yelling what you need to do in my experience.

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u/BagOnuts Aug 12 '26

Every time, man. The most miserable fucks, I swear…

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u/isthenameofauser Aug 12 '26

Of all the airports I've been to, Americans were the friendliest to teach other and the rudest to me.

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u/balderdash9 Aug 12 '26

Fucking security theater civil liberty violating mfs.

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u/OnTheEveOfWar Aug 12 '26

This drives me insane. I fly a lot for work and the rules will change at the same airport on a daily basis.

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u/Daredskull Aug 11 '26

It's at the TSA agents discretion, I asked an agent last time a flew.

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u/AzenNinja Aug 11 '26

It shouldn't be though. They're the lowest common denominator of society.

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u/47peduncle Aug 11 '26

In NZ domestic flights with 3 year old wearing boots, they had to take off boots sometimes, not shoes.

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u/georgeec1 Aug 11 '26

I had to take off my leather shoes which have a slightly high hole, I guess because they were technically about ankle height. It is nice that we don't have to separate laptops anymore though

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u/RikerTroiAwkwardHump Aug 11 '26

Yeah, UK still does it too. I had to take off my boots at Heathrow.

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u/StandardUpstairs3349 Aug 11 '26

I will say that including sales tax in the marketed price was equal parts shocking and gratifying, as portrayed

The truth is that their sales tax, VAT, is too complicated to try an add in-store. Convenient for you, but nightmarish for anyone running a business where you make or sell things. Also, applying it at each step in the supply chain instead of the point of sale naturally increases prices.

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u/apr400 Aug 12 '26

Also, applying it at each step in the supply chain instead of the point of sale naturally increases prices.

That is not necessarily correct, as at each stage before the end-consumer, you recover the VAT that you paid via a credit, or offset it against the VAT you owe.

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u/Few_Yogurtcloset8995 Aug 11 '26

lol my main pair of shoes are combat boots and I wear them to the airport since they’re hard to pack and easy to take off and on (side zipper) and I have to take them off every time I fly

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u/h0sti1e17 Aug 11 '26

We went to London earlier this year. We didn’t need to take our shoes off. Didn’t even need to take laptops out or anything either.

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u/banana_pencil Aug 12 '26

I had to take electronics out but not take shoes off going to Italy this week

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u/7ofalltrades Aug 11 '26

Yeah I gave the shoes thing a pass since the comics are clearly directed at rare or first time travelers.

I haven't taken my shoes off in over a decade.

16

u/Lutz69 Aug 11 '26

I flew out of Wilmington, Delaware 2 weeks ago and they made me take off my shoes. The return flight did not.

Edit: they were just sneakers too, no metal or anything.

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u/blueberrysyrrup Aug 11 '26

same here, I’ve flown 4 times in the past year and each time they made me remove my shoes. I wore flip flops the last time cause I thought it was maybe an issue with my boots and they still made me remove my flip flops. They didn’t make anyone else I flew with do this though :/

2

u/razama Aug 11 '26

I had to take them off last week going from Dallas to las vegas

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u/GalaxyPatio Aug 11 '26

We do at both of my local airports.

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u/LesbeGoddess Aug 11 '26

So you’re saying I can just choose to take my shoes off and I can bypass the genital checker?

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u/Khan_Man Aug 11 '26

You will be subjected to a pat down that is a little... personal, but yes. Im pretty sure the patdown is the way it is to discourage people from taking that option.

That said, you are entirely within your rights to refuse the facial recognition picture at the TSA line, and to skip the genital checker in favor of the patdown.

2

u/LesbeGoddess Aug 11 '26

I probably would assuming that doesn’t delay me by a lot. It’s been quite a while since I flew but plan to fly coming up. They didn’t have all these scanners back in 2009

1

u/Khan_Man Aug 11 '26

It took about 5 minutes, all-in. They offered to do it in a private room, but I refused. If they wanna touch my junk, they can do it while the world is watching.

2

u/Agent-Blasto-007 Aug 11 '26

will say that including sales tax

Laughs in New Hampshire.

2

u/holderofthebees Aug 11 '26

Depends on the terminal. I’ve had flights where I had to be told to take off my shoes one direction and be told to put my shoes back on in the other.

2

u/SoylentVerdigris Aug 11 '26

I still had to last winter, but not on the return flight.

2

u/bblulz Aug 11 '26

Had to do that and take my shoes off and get patted down a few years ago 😞

2

u/Cerberus_Aus Aug 11 '26

Here in Australia it is law that the price displayed is the price that’s paid.

2

u/QueenMackeral Aug 11 '26

 Nude Scantron 5000

what kind of school did you go to?

1

u/Khan_Man Aug 12 '26

I knew this question would come up as soon as I hit post, lol.

Are schools still using scantron? I thought that tech seemed ancient when I first saw it way back when.

2

u/QueenMackeral Aug 12 '26

At least up to COVID I was using them, as far as I'm aware. I don't know how it was way back then, luckily I never had to get nude to use one

2

u/Fellcaster Aug 11 '26

Having recently moved to Portland, Or. I am also getting weird looks from locals as I gleefully look at the receipt from every purchase and dinner.

2

u/OGoshOGolly Aug 12 '26

Ever seen the video of the guy who just takes off all his clothes and goes through security in his boxers?

1

u/Khan_Man Aug 12 '26

Please tell me you have a link!

2

u/UnimagineDragons Aug 12 '26

I recently went through TSA for a US domestic flight with more modern scanners/rules. Shoes stayed on, laptops remain in bag - felt like we finally were in the future. I didn't even have to remove my flipflops. but I get through the wave scanner and it alerts to my crotch

I'm in flipflops, gym shorts and a T-shirt. and the machine has a red box on my dick. well since I didn't "pass" they needed to pat me down at the signal area but the worst was that they said they needed to take my shoes and run them by themselves through the conveyor - even though they'd made it through on my feet already.

Obviously they found nothing (bwahaha) but it was so stupid that taking my shoes off was conditional on whether ANYTHING was found in the next scanner even though it scanned my feet and alerted only to my steel cock

1

u/Khan_Man Aug 12 '26

Im sorry that happened to you, but it is funny!

2

u/irisflame Aug 12 '26

yeah I flew recently and didn't have to take my shoes off in America but I did in Martinique (which is a French overseas territory and part of the EU)

2

u/mikewheelerfan Aug 12 '26

It’s not different for international travel! This applied when I flew from Florida to Ontario, right when they changed the policy. But then my hiking boots set off the sensors and I had to take them off anyways 🤦🏼‍♀️ I was mad

1

u/narielthetrue Aug 11 '26

Traveling back from Mexico 10 years ago, we had to go through security again during our layover in Phoenix. (I don’t know why they make passengers leave the security area when disembarking but whatever). They put me through that machine AND made me take my shoes off. Well, after walking for two weeks through Mexico City, I had blisters on my feet that had blisters, and blisters on those blisters! My feet smelled BAAAAD.

After being in the machine for 15 minutes, they moved the line behind me to a different line and Shit the machine down. I choose to believe its because my feet smelled so bad I broke it. They asked me to put my shoes back on and waved me through.

All this to say: the nude scantron machine doesn’t necessarily mean you get to keep your shoes on!

1

u/4N0NYM0US_GUY Aug 11 '26

RSW in Ft. Myers still does

1

u/ecwagner01 Aug 11 '26

In the early 1980's, I was stationed in Arkansas (military) and was a Tennessee resident. THEN, Arkansas had no sales tax, so what you see is what you paid (State residents made up for it with high state income taxes). It was really nice just paying the price on the sticker.

1

u/lemonlime609 Aug 11 '26

I just took a domestic Canadian flight (I’m not well traveled) and we had to take our shoes off. But there was no Nude Scanatron 5000.

1

u/OutrageousAgent3206 Aug 11 '26

That's odd. I've never had to take my shoes off for a Canadian flight.

1

u/Visible_Bag_7809 Aug 11 '26

Just flew domestic last month, they didn't even make me take off my shoes when I was only going through the metal detector.

I assume this is less about policy, and more about the shrink in funding got TSA.

1

u/Youbettereatthatshit Aug 11 '26

I’ll defend the sales tax thing. In America each state sets its own sales tax so it would be a nightmare to price goods accordingly

1

u/StigOfTheTrack Aug 12 '26

That maybe makes sense online for inter-state shipments.  It makes no sense for in-person purchases.

How many different state is the physical shelf in a physical shop in? Just one and it's the same state as the checkout is in.  How does the tax rate in a different state being different make it complicated for them to put the tax inclusive price on the shelf?

1

u/Greymalkyn76 Aug 11 '26

The ice cream place I go to here in the States does that, and I really think we should change everything to that across the board. It's so much better.

1

u/Nihilistic_Mystics Aug 11 '26

Entirely dependent on the airport. Some will scream at me to take my shoes off for domestic flights and some will scream at me for taking them off.

1

u/Hot-Strength-6003 Aug 11 '26

I flew like 2 years and had to take my shoes off

1

u/latamakuchi Aug 11 '26

You DO need to take your shoes off in Europe at several airports, but only if they're above the ankle (so boots or those high vans are not staying on for example).

1

u/tired-of-the-shit Aug 11 '26

I believe the last time I went through Logan (Boston) airport it still made us take off our shoes but it’s to be expected of them to be extra cautious considering…

1

u/Breezyrain Aug 11 '26

Might depend on the state? I def had to remove my shoes recently

1

u/ParCorn Aug 11 '26

The airports I go through not every line has a nude scantron, often you still take off your shoes and go through some other optical pat down

1

u/Ok_Weird_4345 Aug 11 '26

No taking off shoes with Global Entry, except some some select airports

1

u/necr0doll Aug 11 '26

really? the last time i flew (granted it was about two-three years ago now) i took mine off and so did everyone else lol

1

u/Beaticalle Aug 11 '26

It depends on the day. I've been required and not required to remove my shoes at the same airport within the same week. It's just impossible to know what the agents are going to require at any given moment.

1

u/holy_shell Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26

I never left my country but I encountered both taking shoes off and don't taking shoes off in different cities. Rules are different. If I recall correctly it was shoes off in moscow, shoes on in chelyabinsk, shoes off in Saint Petersburg? (I'm not sure?). But if you have laptop, then you will be politely asked to turn it on not only in every airport I had seen, but even on train stations in smaller cities (security is usually lower in train stations than in airports)

Edit: this is about present times, especially this and last year of flying experience

1

u/Medical_Squirrel3946 Aug 11 '26

It seems to be random and different every day and they act like you're an idiot for not realizing which one you're supposed to do even though they don't let you know in advance.

I did actually chat with a TSA guy who seemed to not be super pissed off that day about it and ask why they don't just have a sign letting you know what the procedures are and he said they had done it in the past, but nobody actually bothered to read it. As someone who has worked in retail in the past, that made complete sense to me and I could relate.

1

u/rilliu Aug 11 '26

If you're wearing boots—even just ankle boots—they still make you take your shoes off. I got pulled out of the line while everyone went through because of this just a few weeks ago. I was wearing Doc Martens.

I wonder if the same will happen if you wear high-top sneakers.

1

u/extra_croutons Aug 12 '26

Took my shoes off today in Htown 

1

u/NickRick Aug 12 '26

or for international flights.

1

u/buttgoblincomics Butt Goblin Aug 12 '26

Having flown a bunch recently, including domestically in the US and to Europe, there’s no predictable pattern of when you have to take your shoes off. Different airports seem to make up their own rules. I’m 90% sure I did have to take off my shoes either in Ireland or the UK for at least one flight.

1

u/BakuretsuGirl16 Aug 12 '26

Sales tax also isn't in every state

1

u/Tha_Sly_Fox Aug 12 '26

If you’re from New Hampshire, Oregon, Montana, Alaska, or Delaware you wouldn’t be surprised by the lack of a sales tax

1

u/SuperSaiyanTrunks Aug 12 '26

I had a coworker refuse to go throufh that machine because she didnt want to be exposed to "radiation" or "magnets" or whatever.... no biggie... except shes from the middle east.. she was flagged and pulled aside and they integrated her and even did a strip search. VERY traumatizing for her. Just walk through the scanner lol

1

u/davywastaken Aug 12 '26

Unless they decide that day you are, then they treat you like a moron for not knowing today’s instructions.

1

u/Own-Equal7680 Aug 12 '26

Why are you referring to this machine as the “Nude” Scantron????? Should I be concerned or…?

1

u/CrouchingToaster Aug 12 '26

They have a machine where you step in and do a ymca pose that scans your body and complains about various things it can’t peer through to make sure you don’t have anything on your persons. Originally if it complained it showed the operator a clear image from their camera and it clearly showed your genitals and boobs. Nowadays they’ve changed it to where it just puts a yellow square like a post it note on the area it complains about.

1

u/Own-Equal7680 Aug 12 '26

That’s insane! I never really thought about it before that they could see through your clothes but it’s obvious so idk, it’s just never occurred to me. That’s real creepy

1

u/AzaleaPatch Aug 12 '26

I lived for quite a while in anchorage and you don't pay sales tax there.

1

u/TimeVersusSpace Aug 12 '26

Maybe that’s a policy you’ve read but based on the mood of TSA that day they very well may make you take your shoes off just for the fun of it. Still happens to me all the time and I’m happy to go through the big machine that may be giving us cancer.

1

u/EvilynSoCute Aug 12 '26

but for domestic flights Americans don’t have to take their shoes off

Lol last time my dad flew from California to Oregon he had to take his boots off.

This is with TSA pre-check too.

1

u/adventureremily Aug 12 '26

but for domestic flights Americans dont have to take their shoes off at airport security anymore

This varies from airport to airport. I've had to take my shoes off flying from California to Hawaii, and from Ohio to California.

Also had to remove my shoes, belt, etc. last year flying from France to Ireland, and again from Ireland to California.

1

u/SaIemKing Aug 12 '26

You don't need to take off your shoes for international travel, either.

1

u/Sapphire-Catgirl Aug 12 '26

Idk how recent this change is but when I went to Vegas in 2024 and 2023 theg made me take my shows and stuff off

1

u/StatedFailure Aug 12 '26

When did this happen? I last flew in 2024 and was required to do the whole shebang

1

u/[deleted] Aug 12 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Khan_Man Aug 12 '26

Lots of folks in this thread are saying it may even vary by which agent is running the line!

I flew last weekend and didn't take my shoes off at either airport until I opted out of their weird camera machine. I fly multiple times a year and my local airport doesn't make me take my shoes off and now I'm struggling to remember the last time I had to.

1

u/WalnutSnail Aug 12 '26

I will just about strip naked because the "metal detector" is actually checking some sort of density consistency. Through considerable scientific effort (I used to fly a lot) I found that if I forgot to take my wallet out, I'd get flagged for a "random" pat down.

Since I figured out stripping to the bare minimum, I haven't been "random" since.

1

u/my-name-is-puddles Aug 12 '26

Don't have to take your shoes off for international travel anymore, either. Also you no longer have to take your laptop out of your bag.

Now they'll start screaming at you if you start taking your laptop out of the bag, as if they hadn't been screaming at you to do just that for the past couple decades.

People at the airport not screaming at you for no reason is something that should be on this list. In the US they're always screaming at you, whereas I haven't seen that in any other country.

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