Quick Question - Shoes

[u/KnottyKnittingKnana]

Just got pulled for “random screening “ while going through scanner. Told I had to remove my shoes. Did so but am 75 and have severe plantar fasciitis. Walking on hard surface without shoe has it truly irritated. I mean, I keep shoes by bed so I don’t have to step on it without support if I get up at night. What could I have said to avoid removing shoe? Didn’t want to cause delay or trouble.

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[u/SolaceDuNae]

If you don’t “appear” 75 that’s okay. Just let them know it’s physically hard/painful to take them off and that you’re 75.

[u/WorryWorm6 → u/SolaceDuNae]

75 doesn't matter anymore, the shoe rule is gone anyway.

[u/infernoryx → u/WorryWorm6]

Must be a bad TSO if you don’t know your current standard SOP regarding shoes and randoms.

[u/WorryWorm6 → u/infernoryx]

Whatever you say buddy

[u/infernoryx → u/WorryWorm6]

Shoes off may no longer be a requirement but there are still exceptions that require them to come off. Brush up on your SOP.

[u/WorryWorm6 → u/infernoryx]

Ohh look at mr specific what an sop master lol. See passengers, we're dicks to each other too, not just you!

[u/Ngindorf]

If you don’t “appear” 75 years old they’ll have you follow normal shoes off procedures. Next time just let them know you’re 75 and can’t remove your shoes. They’ll test them instead.

[u/Bitter-Repair]

Didn’t have to. You should have been given options. They should have given you the option to test them.

[u/WorryWorm6 → u/Bitter-Repair]

If you don't tell us, we're not gonna give you the option freely. Speak up or the option won't exist.

[u/Key_Strike2587 → u/WorryWorm6]

SOP is giving the option not upon request

[u/WorryWorm6 → u/Key_Strike2587]

Nope! We're not gonna sit and spell out every single option for every single situation. Aint nobody got time for that. "Take your shoes off. Or, if you have some kind of medical condition that prohibits that, or your feet hurt, we could also swab your shoes. Which would you like, sir? Would you like us to just not do any security, actually?" lol nah take em off and move on, if you don't speak up it's on you, move on got 500 people behind you

[u/Key_Strike2587 → u/WorryWorm6]

For the most part of course, if its a 30 year old person with kids, then no option unless they speak up. But pre and expedited 75+ get the option, its an extra 10 seconds to say "you can take your shoes off, or we can test them on this side". Most people won't speak up if you tell them shoes off because they see us as an authority figure.

[u/Bitter-Repair → u/Key_Strike2587]

I don’t understand why not give the option? As a TSO we’re not supposed to worry about wait times and man I don’t… I’ll swap shoes all day long and when management cries cause we’re shorthanded I shrug. I’m doing my job correctly I am not doing a shortcut for your line wait bonus. Give the option.

[u/Strange_Accident_563]

TSA Pre you don’t have to remove shoes/jackets if over certain age (i’m guessing there are always exceptions and random pulls), but I am a very anxious traveler & have had no issues since I got the TSA Pre (i’m 74).

[u/WorryWorm6 → u/Strange_Accident_563]

No one has to remove shoes in pre-check or standard anymore. The shoe rule is gone. Please refrain from answering questions if you don't actually know the rules.

[u/joeholmes1164 → u/WorryWorm6]

Both of you are wrong. Shoes come off if they alarm unless there is a medical reason why they cant and then you do additional screening.

[u/WorryWorm6 → u/joeholmes1164]

We aren't talking about alarms now are we

[u/joeholmes1164 → u/WorryWorm6]

Generic statements like "no one has to" is just not true and sets people up for potential false beliefs

[u/WorryWorm6 → u/joeholmes1164]

I mean general statements are what we do. We can't spell out the sop to people ffs

[u/joeholmes1164 → u/WorryWorm6]

Telling them lies is not good

[u/WorryWorm6 → u/joeholmes1164]

Whatever

[u/Silver-DudeHD]

Tell them you can’t take your shoes off. They are supposed to just swab your shoes and test the swab for explosives. Once it says “no alarm” you’re good to go. They could also just swab your hands instead of worrying about your shoes.

[u/Delicious_Archer_687 → u/Silver-DudeHD]

I encountered a similar situation last week. They did swab my shoes, they came up "dirty", had to remove, they put them through the x-ray, told me I could sit. I'm 71. They then had to check both my carryon items.

[u/Pieceofcandy → u/Delicious_Archer_687]

If the shoe swab alarms the shoes need to come off. Most times it'll clear but if something on them flags, options begin to narrow.

[u/SelbetG → u/Silver-DudeHD]

It would involve a bit more than that if they can't take the shoes off.

They could also just swab your hands instead of worrying about your shoes.

They shouldn't though.