There are security lines at just about every airport around the world these days. If you want to plough your way through these lines just like a frequent flyer then there are some tricks that will make it much easier for you and those around you. Firstly, make sure that you plan ahead so that you are not doing all of this just when you arrive at the front of the line.
Remove all loose change from your pockets. Wallets, purses and mobile phones should be put into one of the little plastic containers that they provide. Weighty watches, bracelets and belt buckles can often set of the alarms so remove them and put them in your carry on bag or the little plastic buckets before you get to the front of the line.
Put all you books and snacks together so that you will not have as many things to collect together once you’ve been through the screening process.
In the United States, you have to take your shoes off. Slip-on shoes can be taken on and off quicker and zippers and laces will take extra time. Have your shoes untied or unzipped before you get to the head of the line.
Have your one quart or one litre plastic bag of liquids, creams and assorted gels out of your carry-on bag and put it in the plastic tray. Remember that each liquid should be three ounces or 100 ml or less. There should not be any loose liquids in your carry-on bag at all. If you have medical necessity liquids or baby food to take with you, most countries will permit them to be taken on top of your plastic bag allowance but you must notify one of the screening officers.
Have a plan when you put things into the plastic bins on the screening belt. If you put things through in the right order, you’ll be able to get yourself back together much faster when it has all gone through. Here is a good way to do this.
Firstly put your shoes, coat and your carry-on personal items which usually includes your smaller bag in the first tray. They will then go through the x-ray machine first and you can be putting them back on whilst waiting for your other items to be screened.
If you’re carrying a computer, put your laptop carry-on bag in the tray ahead of your computer then when your computer comes through, you’ll have the laptop bag ready to slip the computer right back in.
If it’s going to take you a long time to put your shoes back on, collect all of your belongings and move to the side so the line doesn’t get jammed. There are usually a few chairs against a wall nearby where you can sit down and put yourself and all your items back together.
You will certainly annoy your fellow travellers and the screening people if you stand in the line and try to put your shoes back on leaving your tray on the screening belt with all the others backing up behind it. Airports report that almost half of all security checkpoint bottlenecks are caused by people putting themselves back together after screening – without moving to the side so don’t let this be you!
You’re going to read this and next time you travel you’re going to move through that security checkpoint with a plan and they’ll know that you are an expert traveller no matter whether you travel very often or not.
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