No Shoes, No Problem: TSA Just Made Travel Less Annoying
No Shoes, No Problem: TSA Just Made Travel Less Annoying
You know that awkward shuffle in the TSA line? One shoe off, one hand juggling your laptop, and the ever-present fear of someone judging your sock choice? Well, good news: that part of the airport ritual might finally be over.
In a quiet but glorious move, TSA has rolled out a policy allowing most travelers to keep their shoes on during security screening. After 20 years of toe exposure, public lacing, and general travel indignity, it’s a welcome change.
Naturally, we were curious—how do travelers really feel about this? So we ran a quick nationwide survey using Pollfish to find out. And yes, American travelers have thoughts.
“Wait—this is real?”
First, the awareness check. While, sixty percent of people were already in the know. The shock factor was real - with 84% surprised with the news.
One respondent said, “I thought I misheard it on the news—like, surely I’m not going to be able to walk through with my shoes on?”
You are. And if you're still skeptical, we get it. After two decades of taking off our footwear like we’re entering a traditional tatami room, it feels... weird. But in the best way.
The People Have Spoken: Feet First, Worries Later
Once people got over the initial shock, the mood shifted quickly to celebration. According to the Pollfish survey:
- Over half of travelers (57%) said they feel positive about the change.
- Just 13% had anything remotely negative to say.
- And the rest? Probably still recovering from past foot-related trauma.
There’s something universally comforting about not having to expose your socks to public scrutiny before 8 a.m.
The Real Perks? They’re Not Just About Comfort
Sure, convenience matters (and 51% of people said it’s their top reason for loving the change), but the benefits run deeper—literally:
- 70% said faster lines were the biggest win.
- 40% cited hygiene (yes, because airport carpet is not your friend).
- And 37% said it actually reduced stress, which is saying something, because air travel has a black belt in raising cortisol.
It's not just about comfort—it's about efficiency, dignity, and reclaiming one small corner of your autonomy in the chaos of modern travel.
So… Does This Make Security Less Safe?
A fair question—and one many travelers still asked.
Interestingly, only 9% said they feel less confident in airport security because of the change. The majority—62%—feel just the same, and nearly 30% said they feel more confident, likely thanks to updated technology behind the scenes (think better scanners, not looser rules).
The vibe: “If you trust your tech, we’ll trust your process.” Mostly.
But What About TSA PreCheck?
Ah yes, the elephant in the express lane.
For years, TSA PreCheck has been the promised land for frequent flyers—shorter lines, fewer hassles, and yes, shoes stayed on. But now that everyone gets to skip the footwear removal?
- 15% say PreCheck feels less valuable
- 36% say it’s “somewhat” less enticing
- Still, 76% would enroll or renew anyway
Why? Because PreCheck isn’t just about shoes—it’s about not removing belts, laptops, or dignity, and generally getting to feel like a VIP in Zone 3.
Final Boarding Call: This Change Matters
It’s easy to roll your eyes at something like “no more shoe removal” being treated as a major win. But it is.
Because this tiny change represents something bigger. A system that’s learning, adapting, and—dare we say—humanizing travel just a bit.
So next time you’re at security and realize you can walk straight through in your boots, loafers, or Crocs (we’re not judging), give a little nod of appreciation. To progress. To convenience. To TSA’s long-overdue footwear liberation.
And maybe—just maybe—pack better socks. Just in case.
Bonus: We Got These Insights in Under 30 Minutes
Like the new security lines, collecting this data was quick and painless. Using the Pollfish platform, we surveyed 100 U.S. travelers in less than 30 minutes—no lines, no waiting, and no unlacing required.
So if you’re wondering what your audience thinks, just ask them. Quickly, easily, and in real time.
Tricks, Treats, and Trends!
Tricks, Treats, and Trends!
When Halloween season rolls around, there's a certain magic in the air—whether it’s the haunting decorations, eerie movies, or even sweet treats. For many, Halloween isn't just a one-day event, but a month-long celebration of all things scary. Pollfish surveyed 500 Americans between Oct. 7-10 to see whether we agree on when to decorate and all-time spooky favorites. Here’s what we uncovered:
Spooktacular Decor
Boo! Sorry, did our decor scare you? We can never seem to agree on when is the best time to decorate for Halloween.
- Early October is when most decorate for Halloween (23%) even though some decorate as early as August (8%)
- The #1 choice of decor items are Jack-o-Lanterns/Pumpkins (72%) followed by Skeletons (55%)
Have you noticed Christmas decorations in stores in the middle of October? Us too! A significant 45% feel it’s a little too soon to be bombarded with Christmas decorations when Halloween and Thanksgiving haven't even happened yet. It’s like skipping over two great holidays!
Chilling Costumes
Seems like every year people stress on what to be for Halloween.
- 46% of respondents opt for premade costumes purchased online or in stores
- Basic costumes are out! 36% love to get creative and come up with something totally unique
- 79% LOVE trick or treaters in their costumes so they always have candy on hand for them
Whether you’re a DIY costume connoisseur or you literally buy your costume at Spirit Halloween the day of, it’s always a fun time dressing up!
Frightening Favorites
Spooky season always includes some creepy classics in the mix. Let’s curl up and watch a scary movie while munching on our favorite sweet treat:
- "Halloween" leads the pack with 16% of people naming it their favorite, closely followed by "Beetlejuice" at 14% and the ever-charming "Hocus Pocus" at 11%
- Reese’s reigns supreme as the top Halloween treat, with 48% calling it their favorite, while Kit Kats and Hershey’s tie for second at 23%
- 38% say they like candy corn only sometimes
As Halloween crawls closer, it's terrifying that everyone has their own way of getting into the spooky spirit! These results came back eerily fast…using Pollfish, you can get real results in just a matter of minutes. With the power of Pollfish’s DIY capabilities in combination with Prodege’s audience, you really can research just about anything. Happy haunting!
Learn about everything and anything here at www.Pollfish.com
Surprising Fall Favorites: Is PSL Still on Top?
Surprising Fall Favorites: Is PSL Still on Top?
As the hot breeze of summer comes to an end, something in the air seems to shift. The air becomes crisp, the leaves turn hues of orange and red, and the smell of freshly baked goods wafts through the wind. Fall is here! Prodege surveyed 500 Americans on Sep. 9th to get a sense of what Americans savor most about autumn. The findings reveal some surprising trends, from beloved fall drinks to popular activities. Let’s break down what we learned.
Fall Favorites
When it comes to fall beverages, many would assume that the coveted Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) would be the #1 choice but the survey told a different story:
- “Hot Chocolate” was the top fall drink for 30% of respondents
- The iconic PSL only claimed 14%
- Interestingly, the age group most likely to favor the PSL was between 35-44 (27%), not the younger crowd as some might expect.
- As anticipated, more women (63%) than men (37%) selected the PSL as their go-to drink.
While PSLs may not be everyone’s favorite, the excitement around fall-themed coffee menus still holds strong, especially among younger respondents:
- Despite their low preference for the PSL, 30% of 18-24-year-olds said they look forward to the seasonal launches every year.
Staying In Over Going Out
There seems to be an endless amount of fall activities happening this time of year. We provided the usual suspects to see what respondents prefer and the results were surprising:
- The most popular fall activity was "Staying in and watching a cozy movie," with 43% of respondents choosing this over outdoor options.
- Traditional outdoor fall activities like the ones listed below ranked lower in preference, showing a clear trend toward enjoying the season from the comfort of home.
- Pumpkin patch visits
- State fairs or parades
- Apple picking
- Corn mazes
- Hayrides
Whether sipping hot cocoa or enjoying a warm night in, it’s clear that everyone has their own way of embracing the magic of fall. In the time it would take you to grab a PSL, you can get real results in just a matter of minutes with Pollfish, Prodege’s online survey platform. With the power of Prodege’s audience in combination with Pollfish’s DIY capabilities, you really can research just about anything.
Learn about anything and everything here at www.Pollfish.com.