Travel Tip Tuesday – Tips for Speeding through Airport Security

written by robin

We all know how time consuming and stressful it is trying to get through airport security. Impatient people pushing from behind you, trying to leaf through your stuff, trying to figure out what to put on the belt and what to leave on your person? Trying to keep your eye on your valuables so nobody steals them.

You feel somehow violated by the time you get to the other side!

Here are a few tips to help you sail through security!

1. Dress the part. Only wear slip-on shoes that can be removed and put back on quickly and easily. Leave the lace ups home. Leave the jewlery and belts and any other accessories with metal home. It’s no fun forgetting to take your metal bracelet off, only to set off the detector, hold up the line and get dirty looks from the crowd.

2. All hands on deck. You could use three hands for security-that is how busy you’ll be. Finish all drinks before you arrive at the security line and toss out your empty bottles. This way you’ll be ready to hold your passport/boarding pass in one hand- and fish out your items from your bag and onto the belt with the other.

3. Unlock your luggage before you get on line. Make it easy for the security team in case they need to inspect the contents of your luggage. The longer they struggle with your lock, the better chance you’ll lose it because they’ll cut it!

4. Pack liquids in an accessable spot, not at the bottom of your luggage. If you are going all carry-on, you need to place your zip-lock bag of liquids in a bin and place it on the conveyor belt. Pick a spot close to the top of your carry-on, that is easy to access. My wheelie has a separate zippered compartment on the outside which is a perfect spot for my zip-lock bag.

5. Laptops need to be taken out of a regular carry-on bag for inspection-but who has extra hands for fumbling around and opening it for the nice TSA folks? Instead, put your laptop in a TSA approved bag or neoprene sleeve and again, keep it easily accessible within your main bag. Just place it in one of the bins on the conveyor and the laptop will sail through without issue.

6. Try not to overload your pockets. The less you have in them, the less time it will take to dig things out and empty them. You may have a cell phone and some change. Anything more or larger could be stashed in your carry-on bag until you get through the line.

7. If you’re going all carry-on and your airline offers early on-line check in, by all means take advantage of it! In the long run, this will mean ONLY waiting on one line- airport security. You’ll be in a better frame of mind and come with a boatload of patience, which will certainly come in handy.

8. It is no time for jokes. Don’t utter the word BOMB or TERRORIST or anything similar to that. It is the easiest way to get sidelined, singled-out, delayed and possibly deterred. And don’t show your annoyance or disdain for the process or the TSA employees. Take deep breaths, be calm and just do what is asked of you.

9. You know the old saying, practice makes perfect? Well, in this case- it is so true. Come up with a *plan* of how you forsee the security exchange unfolding. Know what you’ll do first, second, third etc. Keep rehearsing it in your mind and be very determined and focused once it is your turn. You’ll be prepared-which will make all the difference!

What say you? What are your favorite tips for speeding through airport security?

Travel Tip Tuesday – Tips for Speeding through Airport Security

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