Trips that start off promising with the purchase of cheap travel options such as cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages can quickly turn frustrating when passengers are faced with seemingly endless security lines.
The following are Smarter Travel tips on how to speed through airport security:
Be aware of what you cannot bring. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website specifies what items are prohibited.
Organize your carry-on neatly in layers with separate layers for clothing, electronics, and other items. Screeners will then be able to easily see what is in your bag thus minimizing your wait time.
Place all of your carry-on liquids and gels in 3.4 ounce or smaller bottles in a quart sized clear plastic zip top bag. Make certain your liquids bag is easily accessible to pull out before placing your bag on the conveyor belt to go through a security checkpoint.
Use a checkpoint friendly laptop bag so you can leave your computer in its case and send it through the X-ray scanner.
Wear slip on shoes with socks so that you do not have to walk through a security lane barefoot and can easily slide your shoes off and on.
Fold items such as strollers before getting in line to be screened. All stroller pockets and baskets should be emptied and placed in a bin to go separately through security. Keep a look out for special family lanes which are increasingly appearing at major airports.
Place all of the items in your pockets in a zip bag(s) before getting in line to go through security. This will mean you only have a couple of bags to grab at the other end before you are on your way.
Select a checkpoint on the left. Studies have shown that right handed people and Americans usually turn right when they enter somewhere. By going left you will likely face less of a wait.
Have your ID and boarding pass out before meeting the first security screening official. Consider purchasing an ID and boarding pass holder so that you do not to have to search for them each time they are needed.
Download the TSAs app which can save lots of time at security checkpoints. This app provides real time updates at U.S. airports, as well as crowd sourced wait times at checkpoints. This app also provides additional suggestions on how to speed through security.
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