7 Steps To Get You Through Airport Security

Every holiday season there seems to be a little frustration for those who travel by plane. I’m always getting asked how I deal with getting through security since I travel so much. So…

Here are 7 steps to get you through airport security in a quick and easy fashion.

1. Do a little research online. If you are checking a bag, make sure you know the baggage acceptance cutoff time the airline allows in order for you to get your checked bag on the flight. Some cities are 30 minutes, some are 40 minutes, some are 45 minutes and some are 60 minutes before the flights departure time. If you don’t make the cutoff then you don’t get to check your bag then you are left with a decision as to what to do with your bag or try to get on a later flight. Check your airlines website for this information. Also, security delays vary by concourse and terminal. Go to tsa.gov to find average wait times. If you’re not checking bags, print your boarding pass at home and head to the fastest line.

2. Go to the shortest line. After you pass ID screening, quickly go to the shortest line. Don’t hesitate to bypass those with a look of confusion on their face. Not only will you get there faster, you’ll keep the whole line moving.

(If you are in a premium line set up by the airlines or the expert traveler line, it is assumed that you know how to get through security quickly with the next four steps. As is the case in Nashville, most inexperienced travelers think the Expert Traveler line is the short line. It is not, it is for those who know how to get through security with little to no effort.)

3. Carry a messenger bag. The top flap gives easy access to your laptop and Ziploc of liquids and gels while the pockets provide plenty of storage for alarm-trippers such as your belt, wallet, keys, watch, and phone.

4. Dress strategically. If you don’t have to wear a belt, then don’t. Try to wear as little jewelry as possible or at least put it in your messenger bag or purse until you get through security and never carry coins in your pants pocket while flying. You will just have to empty the coins out and nothing slows a line down faster than someone who has to take off every piece of jewelry and empty every coin from their pocket. If you see a pocket protector full of stuff on the guy in front of you, be prepared to wait. That guy’s a rookie.

5. Wear laceless shoes. I always wear boots, running shoes with lace locks, or flip flops in the summer so I can slip into them quickly and easily once they have come through the scanner.

6. Use only two bins. Place shoes, coat, and Ziploc of liquids and gels in the first bin; laptop in the second; followed by the messenger bag. If you have a roller bag, keep the roller on the floor, where it’s easy to manage, until the last minute.

7. Don’t complain. There are probably several reasons for us to complain about why people get pulled aside for the ‘full body’ scan and search. Especially if those people are elderly. No matter, it’s the TSA’s job to follow through certain procedures regardless of age or race. I know, it’s frustrating sometimes and I have seen my share of frustrated people going through security. If for some reason you do see the TSA do something that is completely out of line, then report it online. The TSA blog is a great place to file a complaint as they are very quick to look into the situation and fix it if the complaint is valid. Those that complain in the security line slow down the line for everyone else including themselves.

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