TSA Proof Shoes

[Hovernut]

Gotta take em off anyway?

Just non-revved out of MCO and the TSAholes were making EVERYONE take off their shoes. I was kinda in a hurry (as usual) and didn't want to stand my ground for fear of missing my flight. So, I wonder if it was just a local thing (so much for nationwide standardization), or if it's a result of the Code Orange condition?!

I wish these fools can make up their minds!

 

[dmspilot00]

When I flew out of MCO on December 30, I don't think they even noticed what kind of shoes I was wearing (tennis shoes), whereas the week before at PIT they leaned over and checked to see what kind of shoes I was wearing, and said I was good. So either it was those particular screeners or something to do with code orange, and not a local thing.

 

[metrodriver]

I have just found a place that will sell me plastic shanks if anyone is interested, pm me. You have to do the work yourself or have a shoe store do it. The plastic ones seem to last longer than the fiberglass ones.

 

[Loafman]

I wear the synthetic soled Justin ropers. Never set off the magnetometer.

 

[skiddriver]

One on-line shoe seller has tried to provide some help...

http://www.zappos.com/airport.zhtml

 

[Humblepilot]

Deer Stags

Bunch of United guys suggested Deer Stags to me so I bought a pair and was stoked I didn't have to take off my shoes in security. Walked through and BEEP!!!!!!!! Told the guy it couldn't be the shoes. He put them in the machine and let me watch the image. Two big old nasty shanks in them. So be advised all Deer Stags are NOT security hassle free. Anyone want to buy a slightly worn black pair of dress shoes Size 13 <big grin>?

Humble

 

[metrodriver]

The uniform store at DFW has shoes on sale where they pulled the metal shanks out of deer staggs and rockports.
Like I said before: I know where to get plastic shanks. pm me if you need them.

 

[dsee8driver]

I use..

I use the Comfortec by Florsheim. Most comfortable shoes I've had in a while, last a long time and great shine.

 

[V-1]

I'll second the Florsheim Comfortechs. I'm on my second pair and I never set off the metal detector. You can get them for $50-$80 at Penney's or any decent shoe store.

 

[Anaconda]

regarding the TSA making EVERYONE take off their shoes, it does not seem to be just down at MCO. i have been hearing more and more locations with the same policy. too many to mention.

i wear skechers, they only go off in the most sensitive of detectors. i might have to take off my shoes 1 time in 10.

i just love when i do go off and the screener gives me this condescending look and says "you should know better as a pilot". i tell them i do know better as i rarely go off and then hand them my shoes so they can do their job and scan them.

 

[captjim]

I have a pair of Justin 3170's and a pair of Deer Stags. Neither have given me a problem getting through security at all, I can't remember the last time I set the machine off.

As far as the Deer Stags, they are the most comfortable shoe I've every worn. Doc Martin's don't even come close to their comfort, it's like walking on a pillow.

The Justins are awsome during the winter. They keep your feet dry when walking in rain, snow or slush, and the duraflow soles stand up really well with de-ice fluid. I've had mine for 3 years and aren't even thinking about any maintanence on them. A really good boot!

 

[JBcrjca]

Ok, now I'm really annoyed. I spent a great deal of time and effort finding a pair of uniform shoes without any metal in them. I finally found some Doc Martens that didn't set off the metal detectors. It was almost the happiest day of my life. But no more, I guess. This morning on my commute to work, the TSA-hole told me to remove my shoes...I said 'that's okay, mine have no metal'. She said everyone has to remove them now, due to 'heightened security'. This was in PSP by the way. Another TSA-hole said it was a nationwide thing. I'm starting a 4 day trip, so I'll get to see soon if this is true or not. Don't we all feel safer now? Riiiiiiiight!

 

[metrodriver]

I talked to a tsa person yesterday and she said it was mandatory now to take off and xray shoes. Supposedly they are afraid of richard reid clones

 

[stillaboo]

'Flops . . . and cops?

I was traveling on WN a couple days ago and wearing my wife beater, soiled jean shorts and flip flops. When traveling on WN as a pasenger, dress like one!. But seriously, I was wearing the 'flops. They asked me to take them off in ABQ. I told them to "go F##K themselves" (under my breath) and walked through as if I hadn't heard the rediculous demand b/f they could stop me. Sur-f##kin'-prise, I didn't set off the detector. I smiled, grabbed my bags, and was on my way.

So I tried it again in ABQ in uniform with my work shoes (birkenstocks) on. Same thing. Request ignored, no beep, no problem. I've done this 3 days in a row whenever I hear the shoe request. Works every time!

Just walk right through and ignore their request. As long as you don't set off the detector, they won't wand you. If they do, insist on a private screening. I respect their intentions, but if you're a pilot walking through detectors 5 times a day (WN @ MCI), you know whether you're good to go or not. For those of you who wear shoes that are '90% beep-proof', get some new shoes or suck it up and take them off, as you're ruining it for the rest of us 100%'ers!

Incidentally, on this same trip, I watched the security in MCI let 2 cops walk right through the exit door of security. How do I know they were cops? Overweight white males in police uniforms with guns, had to be, right? I didn't look at their badges or check their IDs. Incidentally, neither did the security guard!!!! So, if you want no hassles, dress like a cop, not a pilot. You can wear steel-toed storm trooper boots and a loaded GUN and not even have to go through security at all!

TSA, go away!

-Boo!

 

[dsee8driver]

Heightened security

Every time the threat level goes to HIGH it is mandatory at all airports to remove your shoes according to the TSA at FLL. I actually asked my neighbor, a Broward County Sherrif working at the gates in FLL and he said the same thing. When the threat level goes to High or above it is mandatory to remove the shoes. Below high, it's at your discretion or unless you beep.

 

[JBcrjca]

So the TSA agents in PSP said it was a nationwide policy to remove all shoes for screening...but within 10 hours I cleared security at TUS and SLC and was able to keep my shoes on. I told a SLC TSA guy about the PSP policy, and he said he hadn't heard about a 'shoes-off' policy that day. I guess you just never know what the TSA is going to do from one city to the next.

 

[flx757]

Re: Heightened security

Every time the threat level goes to HIGH it is mandatory at all airports to remove your shoes according to the TSA at FLL. I actually asked my neighbor, a Broward County Sherrif working at the gates in FLL and he said the same thing. When the threat level goes to High or above it is mandatory to remove the shoes. Below high, it's at your discretion or unless you beep.

The threat level has been HIGH for some time now, except for a very brief period a few weeks ago, when it went down from Orange to Yellow. I always travel in uniform, and have never been asked to remove my shoes, even in Washington, DC. Not once.

 

[GumbyDarnit]

Flew out of SAT last Friday 23 May in sandals and through TSA no problem. Returned out of PHX 27 May same sandals and had to take them off. TSA told me all shoes had to be removed. Really, I replied, when did that change. Last Friday was the reply. I guess this thread is dead.

 

[flx757]

Back to threat level Yellow effective today, Fri. May 30. You may all leave your shoes on now, thank you.

 

[Beer&Brauts]

Deer Stags

After much searching finally bought a pair of Deer Stags.
If you go to their website it mentions that the shoes with
"S.U.P.R.O. Technology" have no metal in them.

Bought mine at J.C. Penny's for $40.
The lady there seemed pretty certain that the other
Deer Stags all have metal shanks.