Shoes Off At Indian Airports: Security Norms Explained

The requirement to remove shoes at airport security is a contentious issue for travellers, with many seeing it as an unnecessary inconvenience. While it is standard procedure in the US, the policy is not consistent worldwide. So, what about Indian airports—do shoes have to go through the scanner?

The answer is yes. Travellers have reported being asked to remove their shoes at Indian airports, particularly when wearing heavier or bulkier shoes. However, this does not appear to be a consistent practice, and some sources suggest that it is more common at domestic airports.

Richard Reid, the shoe bomber

On 22 December 2001, Richard Reid, also known as the "shoe bomber", boarded American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris to Miami with 10 ounces of explosives hidden in his shoes. During the flight, Reid tried to detonate his shoes but struggled to light the fuse. He was restrained by passengers and crew members who noticed his suspicious behaviour. The plane was diverted to Logan International Airport in Boston, where Reid was arrested.

Reid was born in Bromley, London, in 1973. His father, a career criminal, was in prison for stealing a car at the time of Reid's birth. Reid himself had a history of petty crime and had accumulated over 10 convictions for crimes against persons and property by the age of 16. In 1992, while serving a sentence for street robberies, Reid converted to Islam and, upon his release from prison in 1995, he joined the Brixton Mosque. He later began attending the Finsbury Park Mosque in North London, which was headed by the anti-American cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri. By 1998, Reid was voicing extremist views and had fallen under the influence of terrorist groups.

In 1999, Reid travelled to Pakistan and received training at a terrorist camp in Afghanistan. He also may have attended an anti-American religious training centre in Lahore as a follower of Mubarak Ali Gilani. After his return to Britain, Reid obtained duplicate passports and travelled to several places in Europe. In November 2001, he returned to Pakistan and was given "shoe bombs", casual footwear adapted to be smuggled onto aircraft.

On 21 December 2001, Reid attempted to board a flight from Paris to Miami but was delayed due to his dishevelled appearance and suspicious behaviour. He was questioned by an ICTS agent and referred to the French National Police, but he was ultimately allowed to board the flight the following day. During the flight, a passenger complained of the smell of smoke in the cabin, and a flight attendant discovered Reid attempting to light a match. When confronted, Reid revealed one shoe in his lap, with a fuse leading into the shoe, and a lit match. Several passengers worked together to subdue Reid, and the flight was diverted to Boston, where he was arrested.

During a preliminary hearing, an FBI agent revealed that the bomb would have blown a hole in the plane's fuselage and caused the plane to crash if it had detonated. On 4 October 2002, Reid pleaded guilty to eight terrorism-related charges and was sentenced to life in prison. As a result of Reid's actions, some airlines implemented new security procedures, including requiring passengers to remove their shoes for screening.

Airports in China have stringent shoe removal policies

While there is no standard rule for removing shoes at Indian airports, some passengers have reported being asked to remove their shoes at the security check. This is usually the case for ""heavier" shoes with big soles or heels, or shoes with metal details. However, others have reported that they were not asked to remove their shoes, especially when wearing basic sneakers or sandals.

On the other hand, airports in China have stringent shoe removal policies, especially at airports with high international traffic, such as Beijing Capital International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. These policies are influenced by each country's security and threat assessments.

The requirement to remove shoes at airport security checkpoints was first implemented in the United States after Richard Reid, the "shoe bomber," attempted to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes on a flight from Paris to Miami on December 22, 2001. While this incident occurred on a flight departing from Europe, it sparked heightened security measures in the United States, including the removal of shoes at security checkpoints.

Some travellers view the shoe removal requirement as a nuisance, especially when it is not consistently enforced across all airports and countries. However, it is important to note that security protocols are subject to change based on evolving security threats and assessments.

The US is scared of shoes

On December 22, 2001, Richard Reid, also known as the "shoe bomber", boarded an American Airlines flight from Paris to Miami with 10 ounces of explosives hidden in his shoes. Reid attempted to detonate the explosives mid-flight but was restrained by passengers and crew who noticed him struggling to light the fuse. The plane was diverted to Logan International Airport in Boston, where Reid was arrested.

As a result of this incident, all passengers passing through a security checkpoint at any American airport are required to remove their shoes and put them through an X-ray machine. This rule came into effect on August 10, 2006, five years after Reid's attempt. The final straw was another terrorist plot on August 9, 2006, where terrorists planned to detonate liquid bombs hidden in soda bottles on 10 transatlantic flights. This plot was also foiled.

The shoe rule is a standard procedure in the US, but it is not common in the rest of the world. In Canada, for example, travellers can keep their shoes on for domestic and international flights unless flying to the US. In South America, Africa, and Oceania, shoe removal protocols are influenced by each country's security and threat assessments and are rarely required. In Europe, there is a unified set of security guidelines that do not mandate removing shoes. However, individual countries, airports, and flights may have different measures, such as for flights bound for the US.

The fear of shoes, or Podophobia, is a specific phobia that affects many people globally. It can manifest in various ways, such as a dislike of others looking at or touching one's feet, anxiety or fear of one's own feet, or a refusal to remove shoes or socks. While the exact causes of Podophobia are unknown, it is believed that traumatic or negative experiences involving feet may trigger this phobia. Additionally, genetic factors, cultural beliefs, and high levels of stress or anxiety may also contribute to its development.

While some people may find the US shoe removal policy at airports inconvenient or unhygienic, it is important to understand that it is a safety measure implemented to protect passengers and crew members from potential threats. The policy is a direct response to Richard Reid's attempt to detonate explosives hidden in his shoes and similar terrorist plots involving liquids.

Individual countries, airports, and flights in the EU have different measures

While the European Union has a unified set of security guidelines that do not require removing shoes, individual countries, airports, and flights in the EU may have different, case-by-case measures. For example, flights bound for the U.S. and airports in Barcelona, Heathrow in the United Kingdom, and Dublin have a shoes-off protocol. Security officers may request that shoes containing metal, appearing thick, or having a boot-like shape be scanned using X-ray.

Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is another example of a European airport where passengers typically do not need to remove their shoes to clear security. However, there have been instances where personnel have used their discretion to inspect certain shoes, particularly winter boots.

In addition to varying practices within the EU, there are also differences between Europe and other parts of the world regarding shoe removal policies. North American airports, for instance, have a consistent rule of requiring all shoes to be taken off and screened. On the other hand, airports in South America, Africa, and Oceania rarely enforce shoe removal, except in specific cases, such as when metal is detected or for flights to the U.S.

Asian countries also exhibit diverse approaches to shoe removal. Southeast Asian airports like Manila International in the Philippines and Bangkok International in Thailand typically require passengers to remove their shoes, especially for international flights. Meanwhile, in Japan and South Korea, shoe removal is generally not required unless the shoes are bulky.

Airports in the Middle East exhibit varied security practices

Indian airports do require passengers to remove their shoes during security checks, but this is not a consistent practice. It depends on the type of shoes worn by the passenger. If the shoes are bulky, have metal details, or thick soles, they will likely trigger the metal detector and need to be removed for X-ray scanning. This is a common security measure in many airports worldwide, including in the Middle East.

Airports in the Middle East, known for their state-of-the-art facilities, exhibit varied security practices. While some airports in the region do not require shoe removal, others may request passengers to take off their shoes if they contain metal or have heels. The focus is often on technology-forward scanning and random checks.

Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, exemplifies this variation in security practices. Passengers are generally not required to remove their shoes unless they fall under specific categories, such as containing metal or having heels. This approach is also followed by other prominent airports in the region, including Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates.

The security measures at Middle Eastern airports can be quite diverse, and they may reflect the characteristics and priorities of the governing regimes. Getting on a plane in the region can be an exhaustive process with multiple security checks. The specific requirements and experiences can vary significantly from one airport to another, even within the same country.

Overall, while there is variation in security practices, many airports in the Middle East tend to focus on utilising advanced technology and conducting random checks rather than implementing uniform shoe removal policies. Passengers are advised to be prepared for different security protocols and to comply with the specific requirements of each airport to ensure a smooth journey.

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