Love to travel, hate airport security? tripatlas.com/new gives you the inside scoop on how to get past airport security as quickly as possible.
More great travel tips from tripatlas.com/new? Find out why Travellers Say Worst Part of Trip is Booking Online; get 5 Tips for Travelling with Kids; or How to Avoid Food Poisoning when you Travel.
Dressing for the occasion
When flying, it’s best to wear comfortable clothing and dress in layers. Running shoes or casual footwear is best for security checks, especially if you’re asked to take off your shoes to go through security.
I hate to be the one to point it out, but it’s also less likely that you’ll get stopped if you’re dressed a little neater – I unfortunately know this from experience. After I shaved my head for a cancer fundraiser, I went backpacking in Europe with some friends. That summer, I was stopped 3 out of 5 times at the airport and asked for ID, proof of where I was staying, and etc. Today, my dress pants, long neatly styled hair and red Heys carry-on luggage get me past security in seconds.
Inside your carry-on
It may seem obvious, but make sure that your carry-on doesn’t have any weapons, knives, razors, aerosol cans, scissors, and etc.
If you’re carrying a bag of toiletries (see next item for more details) or electronic equipment like photography gear, don’t pack them away too deep into your suitcase in case you’re stopped for inspection. It’s a frustrating and humiliating process having strange security guards digging through your personal items and messing up your suitcase.
Liquids and the 3-1-1 rule!
If you’re carrying toiletries on the plane, the rule is 3-1-1. That’s any number of 3oz (or 100ml) or less of any 1 type of liquid, all of which must fit inside 1 plastic zip-lock bag.
You can pick up empty refill bottles or travel-sized toiletries from drug stores or hold on to the tiny toiletries from hotel rooms (which you’re supposed to take and it’s more eco-friendly if you do!).
Go to www.tsa.gov/311 for more details.
What to put in those plastic trays
When you reach the front of the security check line, grab a plastic tray and empty your pockets of items like keys, wallet, coins, pens, watch, and etc.
If you have a laptop, take it out of its case and put it in a separate tray. Backpacks, jackets and large sweaters should also go in a tray. Carry-on luggage and shoes go straight onto the conveyor belt.
Hold on to your boarding pass & passport
It can be quite a scramble when you get to front of the line at airport security. While you’re unloading all your pocket items, be sure to hold on to your boarding pass and passport. If you go through metal detectors to meet a security guard on the other side without it – you may get stopped, pulled to the side, searched, and questioned – another not-so-fun experience.
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