Are safety shoes allowed in flight？
Safety shoes in flight
Safety shoes are necessary equipment for people in some professions. Taking a plane to various places may also be a work requirement. Therefore, wearing safety shoes on a plane is inevitable. So, are safety shoes allowed in flight? The answer to this question depends on various factors. For passengers and crew members, the impact and role of safety shoes in flight are also different.
Passenger perspective
-Baggage weight issue
Generally, for passengers, if the luggage is not overweight, then safety shoes are allowed to be carried on the flight. However, safety shoes are usually heavier than ordinary shoes. For passengers whose airlines have strict luggage weight limits, this may cause overweight luggage, especially on long-distance international flights. So, passengers need to pay special attention to the weight of safety shoes
-Passengers with specific work needs
Some passengers may need to wear safety shoes at their destination for work reasons (such as construction, factories, etc.), so they must carry them with them. Such passengers may need to provide proof of work or related documents when going through customs.
-Metal detector and security check issues
When passengers pass through security checks, metal substances in safety shoes, such as steel-toed shoes, may trigger security check equipment. This is used to determine whether the safety shoes are allowed to be brought on the flight. Therefore, passengers may be asked to remove their shoes and undergo additional inspections, which increases the time it takes to pass through security.
-Comfort and space considerations
Safety shoes are generally heavier and harder than ordinary shoes. Long-term wearing will affect foot comfort, especially when passengers sit in a small economy class for a long time, with limited space for movement, resulting in poor blood circulation in the feet and an increased risk of foot swelling.
Crew perspective (such as pilots, flight attendants, ground staff)
-Airline regulations
Some airlines have specific footwear regulations for crew members, especially for the appearance and functional requirements of flight attendants and may not allow overly conspicuous safety shoes. Ground staff and pilots may have different requirements for different positions.
-Footwear requirements in daily duties
Crew members usually have specific uniform requirements. Ordinary flight attendants usually do not wear safety shoes because their duties are mainly inside the cabin, and comfort and lightness are the primary considerations. For ground staff or personnel performing special tasks, such as aircraft maintenance workers, they may need to wear safety shoes to ensure foot protection.
Security screening process for crew members
Crew members often need to enter and exit multiple airports and pass security frequently. If wearing safety shoes, metal parts may lead to frequent additional inspections, affecting work efficiency.
