Ronny Chieng took direct aim at the Transportation Security Administration’s long-criticized shoe removal policy during a sharp and comedic segment on The Daily Show, calling it “an outdated ritual” that should have ended long ago. As the TSA begins to phase out this requirement, Chieng’s commentary spotlighted how disconnected the policy has become from modern travel realities.
Opening his monologue with characteristic edge, Chieng quipped, “Terrorists don’t crash planes anymore. Boeing crashes planes.” The audience erupted as he mocked the agency for maintaining outdated protocols born from post-9/11 anxieties. He questioned why travelers are still forced to remove shoes in an era of advanced security technology and shifting threats.
Frequent flyers have long voiced frustration with the inconvenience of airport screenings—removing shoes, belts, and electronics in front of strangers has become a shared headache. Chieng channeled that collective irritation, pointing out how these outdated practices slow lines, increase traveler stress, and offer little added security benefit in today’s landscape.
The end of the shoes-off rule is part of a broader TSA modernization effort. With the rollout of next-generation full-body scanners and expanded PreCheck enrollment, the agency is now focusing on efficient, tech-driven solutions that streamline the passenger experience without compromising safety. These upgrades reflect an evolving security strategy that prioritizes both effectiveness and traveler convenience.
Chieng’s segment used sharp humor to underline the inefficiencies of policies left unchecked for too long. His takedown wasn’t just for laughs—it functioned as a biting critique of bureaucratic inertia, spotlighting how government agencies often resist reform, even when better tools are available.
The policy shift away from mandatory shoe removal signals a welcome change for millions of travelers. It also suggests a new direction for airport security in the U.S.—one that values common sense, leverages technology, and moves beyond the performative rituals of early-2000s security theater. As international standards evolve, the TSA appears ready to trade outdated measures for smarter, less intrusive approaches.