ORLANDO, Fla. - New airport screening technology that was trotted out Tuesday was supposed to let passengers keep their footwear on while passing through security. But several travelers complained they had to kick loafers or heels off anyway, even after standing in a kiosk that reads their biometric information and uses radio waves to test for explosives and metal. The scanners are part of a new program at Orlando International Airport that promises shorter screening lines for those who pass a federal background check and pay a $100 annual fee.
But all shoes with metal must still be removed for additional screening because the agency has not approved the devices' ability to distinguish between safe and unsafe metals, said Shawn Dagg, Verified Identity Pass senior vice president.
``That was a bit disappointing. I thought all the hype was that this was going to let you keep your shoes on,'' said Clay Breazeale, a salesman who flies about twice a week. ``The machine simply detected this little piece of metal, so I had to take my shoes off.'' |
