Major Rule Change at New York and Philadelphia Airports

If you’ve ever gotten annoyed at the long security line at the airport, you’re definitely not alone. But those TSA checks didn’t always exist. Back before the early 2000s, flying was actually pretty relaxed. You could stroll up to the gate with your family, shoes on, water bottles in hand, no problem. Then September 11, 2001 happened, and everything changed basically overnight.

How Airport Security Got So Strict

In response to the terror attacks, the US government decided it needed to majorly step up airport security. That’s how the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, was born. The whole goal was to keep passengers safe and prevent anything like that from ever happening again.

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Once TSA was in place, airports all across the country had to follow the same strict screening rules. This is also when the rules started popping up that we all know (and maybe don’t exactly love) today, such as pulling your laptop out of your bag and tossing any water bottles over 3.4 ounces.

They also added tons of high-tech scanners and more detailed ID checks. Sure, it can be annoying when you’re running late and stuck in that wild line, but most folks would agree it’s worth it to keep flights safe.

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TSA Rules are Being Relaxed at Select Airports

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced:

Our security technology has changed dramatically. It's evolved. TSA has changed. We have a multilayered, whole-of-government approach now to security and to the environment that people anticipate and experience when they come into an airport that has been honed and it's been hardened.

One of the least favorite parts of going through the TSA line at the airport is taking off your shoes. You frantically rush to get them off and through the scanner, and getting them back on while keeping the line moving is an even bigger feat, especially when you have an audience of impatient people waiting for you to move it along.

Those days are over.

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Effective immediately at New York's LaGuardia International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport, you are now permitted to keep your shoes on. Of course, you should check with your airport before arriving for specifics on TSA regulations. This policy relaxation is scheduled to roll out nationwide over the next few months. And this may be just the beginning.

Noem added that Homeland Security is currently reviewing the need for removing belts, coats, and laptops before being scanned. Happy flying.

These items, however, are still prohibited on flights.

19 Items Absolutely Banned from Checked Bags at NJ, NY and PA Airports

You may be familiar with what you can and cannot pack in your carry-on. But how familiar with items banned from your checked luggage? These are 19 of the more than 50 items that can't fly in your checked bag according to the TSA.

Gallery Credit: Michelle Heart