No one likes the inconvenience of the post 9/11 security screening at the airports under the TSA’s watchful eyes in airports all over the US. However, one has to accept and adapt to this as being the new way of how things will be done at the airports. Even though you cannot change the circumstances, there are steps which you can take to minimize its impact and allow yourself the opportunity to avoid waiting in long lines at airport security and to go as fast as possible through the screening at airport while at the same time complying with the regulations.
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Adjust Your Timing
You will always be delayed if you attempt to go through security screening at the airport with everyone else. You should try to improve your timing in these three areas. First, take the day of the week on which your flight falls into consideration when planning the time you will be arriving at the airport. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays there will be more leisure travellers flying. Travellers using family travel insurance and travelling with kids are sure to be slow as well. Such travellers are not very accustomed to the procedures at the airport and thus things will go much slower. The second thing you should consider is the departure time during the breakfast, lunch, and dinner periods of each day throughout the week. These times periods usually have longer lines and additional delays. The third thing is for you to plan for at least half hour delay at the airport if you will be buying tickets when you get to the airport or if your bags will be checked.
TIP – Almost everyone shows up at least one hour before their flight s scheduled to leave the airport and then waits in lines. You can take some time (about 30 to 60) minutes and go through airport security screening before the place gets crowded. If you go through security quickly, you will have time to get something to eat or make a call.
Stick to the Rules
The rules have no exceptions and agents of the TSA will realize that you still have on your coat and shoes. There’s a separate TSA agent that watch out just for that. You should instead, ready your transparent plastic toiletry bag which can be easily accessed and place it in a bin so it can run through the x-ray machine. You should also prepare to remove your laptop from your bag and to remove your coat and shoes.
TIP – If you have the power to choose one line at the airport over another, you should always check to see the person in front of you. Is that person prepared to work with the agents from TSA? If they are being sent back by the TSA to remove their coat and shoes, this will delay you as well.
Minimize Metal
You can have some amount of metal on your person and still go through the security scan without the alarm going off. However, this amount is very limited, so you should just be safe and remove all metal from your person. This should include your watch, belt buckle, pens, and pocket change.
TIP – Plan beforehand. Do not wait until you reach the scanner in the airport to remove all that you should such as cell phone, watch, pocket change, and place them in your carry-on or in the pocket of your coat. These things will delay you when reach the scanner.
Now there is a new trusted traveller program that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has set up so that you can speed through the airport while checking in. You have to register beforehand but in most cases, you will not have to remove your shoes or worry about waiting in long lines at the security station. You will be able to speed right through.
Does getting through security frustrate you?
