How to Make it Through Airport Security Quickly, Easily and Stress-free

Airport security. One of life's necessary evils - much like a root canal, or filing your income taxes. As much of a hassle as it may seem, it doesn't have to be that way. And regardless, in a post-9/11 world, it is essential! We might as well make the best of it.

Did you ever wish you knew someone with insider knowledge - an expert in the absolute easiest way to navigate the checkpoint at your local airport - to escort you through the process? Well, now you do! For the past four years, I have worked as a Transportation Security Officer at Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport. Say what you will about the TSA, but I'm about to give you some great advice that will make catching your next flight a breeze!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A valid, government-issued ID
• An airline-issued boarding pass for the current date
• A small measure of common sense
• Patience

1. 

   Aim to arrive at the airport at least an hour-and-a-half before your flight's boarding time. Prior to leaving your house or hotel, log onto www.tsa.gov, and use the TSA's Airport Security Wait Time Estimator (a link can also be found below, under "Resources"). This will enable you to approximate how long it will take to get through the screening process.

2. What not to wear:
   
   
   
   - Large metallic jewelry, watches and/or belt buckles.
   - Ornate hairstyles which incorporate multiple bobby pins or clips.
   - Belts with metal rivets, eyelets, or studs along the entire length. Men should opt for belts with small buckles instead of suspenders.
   - Footwear that is difficult to remove (e.g. high, lace-up boots).
   - Clothing that is adorned with metal, such as cargo pants with numerous buckles.

3. 

   Upon arrival at the airport:
   
   
   - Check in with your airline, either curbside or at the ticket counter. If you pre-printed your boarding pass and have only carry-on bags, this step will be unnecessary.
   
   - Do a final evaluation of your bags. With the exception of prescription medication, items with a legitimate health-related purpose (e.g. OTC medications or contact lens cleaning solution), and baby-related items, any of the following with a container size greater than 3.4 oz. will not be allowed through security: liquids, gels, creams, pastes, lotions, and aerosols. This includes items that you may not even think of, like: peanut butter, pudding, mustard, snow globes and reusable ice packs (unless being used for prescription medication). Pack these items in your checked bags.
   
   - In addition, any item which appears on the TSA's Prohibited Items List (found below, under "Resources") SHOULD NOT be packed in your carry-on! At best, carrying these items through security will delay you, sometimes significantly. At worst, you can be fined thousands of dollars by the FAA if the item is a firearm, ammunition, a large knife or other dangerous instrument! Put these items under the plane!

4. As you approach the X-Ray machine and Walk-Through Metal Detector (WTMD), complete steps 5 - 10.

5. Remove all laptop computers from their bag and place them in a separate bin - nothing on top of it, nothing beneath it. Repeat this procedure for any other large electronic items such as: DVD players/DVR's, projectors, video game systems and computer hard drives.

6. 

   Divest all metallic items from your pockets and belt area. Don't forget your shirt pockets. Use the following lists to guide you:
   
   Metal items, such as: large belt buckles, coins, keys, cigarette lighters, loose batteries, snuff/chewing tobacco tins and money clips.
   
   Electronic items, such as: MP3 players, cell phones, PDA's, pagers and calculators. Also, don't forget the Bluetooth headset on your ear.
   
   Foil-wrapped items, such as: gum, candy, breath mints, cigarettes, chewing tobacco, antacid products, hand cleansing wipes and condoms.

7. 

   Remove your footwear, regardless of style. Also remove jackets, blazers, coats and zip or button-up sweaters/sweatshirts; any item worn as the outermost garment, that is not a shirt or blouse. And finally, any garment tied around your waist or draped over your shoulders.
   
   Place all items from steps 5 - 7 in the bins or bowls provided, to be submitted for X-Ray screening.

8. Place all divested items - as listed above - on the moving conveyor belt of the X-Ray machine. Leave a couple of inches between each plastic bin.

9. 

   You are now ready to proceed through the WTMD. When walking through, keep these tips in mind:
   
   - Have your boarding pass (or "gate pass" if you are escorting someone) in your hand and available for review by the TSA officer.
   - Walk through at a normal gait and pace, with your arms at your sides.
   - Don't bump the sides of the machine as you walk through it. Much like your car's security system when you kick the tire, this will cause the WTMD to alarm.

10. Once you have satisfactorily cleared the WTMD, gather all of your personal property from the X-Ray machine and proceed to one of the provided benches or tables to put everything back in its place. Have a safe flight, and enjoy your trip!

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan to wear shoes or sandals without socks, throw a pair in your carry-on to put on at security. This will help counteract a less-than-hygenic airport floor. Every U.S. airport will require you to remove your shoes, from flip-flops to moon boots - and everything in between!
• If you carry a metal money clip, remove the cash before submitting it for X-Ray screening. Not every passenger is as honest as you, and thefts - unfortunately - do occur.
• Wait until you get through security to buy that $13 cup of coffee at Starbucks! Since August 2006, there has been a restriction in place on most liquids being brought through the checkpoint.
• Unless you've been a part of a Super Bowl championship team, it is probably unnecessary to remove your rings.
• DO NOT make any joking reference to terrorism, bombs, having a weapon, drug smuggling, etc. This NEVER ends well, and happens more frequently than you may think. Such comments usually come with a very realistic chance of chatting with a friendly police officer and missing your flight!
• If you were unable to print your boarding pass online, it's most likely because the airline's ticketing software flagged you for secondary screening. This is a routine occurrence, and no cause for alarm. Allow yourself 10-15 additional minutes if this is the case.

Resources

• TSA's Airport Security Wait Time Page
• TSA's Permitted/Prohibited Items List
• Acceptable ID at the Airport Security Checkpoint
• TSA Guidlines for Liquids in Carry-on Bags
• SimpliFLY: Pack Simply to Fly Through Security
• About the Author

[ibooks]

on 12/6/2008 Great tips this very useful.

[argyle]

on 10/13/2008 Thanks for the tips. I'd note that there are now TSA-approved laptop bags that you can leave your laptop in instead of removing it. Helpful for people who don't want to get their MacBook scratched during screening! Do a quick Google search and you can find out the requirements.

[slphilbrick]

on 9/3/2008 Well spoken ! I was "detained" through security leaving Las Vegas. There's nothing like being watched by every other passenger to see how much of a danger you are. What'd I do? I had "water snakes".. water/gel filled plastic squeeze toys. I didn't want them to explode with the "careful" baggage handling, so I had them in my carry on. Security found them entertaining !

[Gardengates]

on 9/2/2008 Great article. But isn't it a shame how much misery a small percent of the population can cause the rest of the world!

[awanchic]

on 9/1/2008 Excellent article! I thought I was a travel pro, but wow, this will certainly help me be better prepared! Thanks so much!