You’re standing in line to show the TSA agent your boarding pass and ID. Ahead of you, four lines slowly snake through security and the scanner machines.
Each line is shuffling, moving at a snail’s pace. Your chance of picking the fastest line is barely better than surviving a drunk game of Russian Roulette. Yet your flight leaves in less than 45 minutes and your gate is a 20 minute walk.
If only you could get through the airport’s security checkpoint faster.
While many things at security checkpoints are beyond your control, the good news is you can increase your odds of getting through it faster. With some cunning and advance planning, it’s very possible to shave precious minutes off your airport security experience.
Here are seven tips on getting through airport security faster.
- Check your airport’s website. On their website, many airports now list the estimated time to pass through security. The site also lists all security checkpoints in that airport. So you can pick a checkpoint with a quicker estimated total time. And some airports have security checkpoints in lesser known locations. For example, at Denver International Airport, a lesser known checkpoint is on Concourse A Bridge. I’ve gotten thru security in three minutes flat at that location compared to the busier, larger checkpoint in the main area.
- Sign up for TSA pre-check. Apply for TSA pre-check and speed up your security experience significantly. For $85 application fee and a short in-person interview, you’ll get a Known Traveler Number (KTN) which allows you to leave on your shoes, light outerwear and belt, keep your laptop in its case, and your 3-1-1 liquids quart baggie in your carry on. The pre-check is valid for five (5) years. I’m told the in-person interview typically lasts about 15-20 minutes and consists of standard questions, like: Why did you decide to sign up? Do you travel internationally often? What do you do for work?
Note: TSA pre-check is available only to travelers departing from the USA. - At home prep: check out your gear and minimize. For example, get a TSA-friendly laptop, wear slip-on shoes (like flip-flops, loafers or Toms), skip the belt, and bring only one carry on so you have less to juggle. If you can, skip wearing a belt as that means one less item to take off and put back on in security.
- At airport prep: check out the TSA agents to see which one is chatty and which is all-business. Pick the agent focused on doing their job. Chances are you’ll get through that initial line much faster than choosing the friendly agent’s line. Also, use your time waiting in line to empty your pockets of debris like phones, wallet, gum wrappers, spare coins into your bag. So when you grab your bin, you can effectively load it and glide through security without worrying about forgetting anything behind. Stick your quart baggie in an outside pocket on your carry on, so it’s easily accessible to pull out when you reach the x-ray machine’s conveyor belt.
- Pick the line with business folks. Pick a line where the occupants look like they know what they’re doing. They load the security bins in a specific order, quickly but not rushing. Their pockets are already empty and their laptops are in a top zippered pocket. Try to avoid lines where the occupants are fumbling through their bags, look disorganized and hassled, or have lots of carry ons like strollers, larger bags, or move slower.
- Avoid the line where two security lines funnel through one x-ray scanner, if possible. This tip is getting harder to do, but it’s still possible. Look for a line off to the side where no neighboring lines are open. That way your x-ray scanner is used only by your line and two lines aren’t converging into one machine.
- Strategically load your security tubs. Put your shoes, laptop and jacket in the first bin or before your carry on. Organizing your bin this way buys you extra time to slip your shoes and jacket on before your carry on clears the scanner. So when your bag slides out, you can head to your gate in three easy steps: 1) slip your shoes on, 2) slip your quart bag and laptop into your carry on, 3) zip it up and head for your terminal.
With these tips, your airport security experience will be faster so your journey starts smoother with less stress.
What are some of your tips on getting through airport security faster?
Photo credit: HuffingtonPost
Share your thoughts