Tips For Going Through Airport Security

OK… Let’s address the security line. You’re packed and ready for your trip. You need to start planning your strategy for getting through those security lines.

The first trick is to remember to check in online if you can. In the U.S. and many countries, you can do this 24 hours to flight time. Hopefully you have or can get your seat assignments. If you’re traveling on a no-frills airline, by checking in early, you’ll get to board in an earlier boarding group and grab a better seat.

The other advantage if you print your boarding pass at home is you can head straight to security and not have to stop at the ticket counter…. at least if you have a carry-on bag!

If your travel is international, you need to check what the rules are in the country of your departure.

In larger airports, head for the farthest out-on-the-side checkpoint. Generally these tend to be used less than the ones in the middle so the lines should be shorter. In the U.S., the Transportation Security Administration (the TSA) actually has a list that will tell you the quickest line at any airport… look them up online.

In this last year the TSA has been trying something new at a few U.S. airports to speed things up. They have lanes with a black diamond for “Expert Travelers” — for people who know the procedures and are in a hurry. There is a blue square for “Casual Travelers” and a green circle for “Families/People with Medical Liquids” for those who need more time. We’ll go into this further in another article. In the meantime, check with the TSA online to see where you can take advantage of these.

Once you get to the front of the line, just go along with the drill. If you’re a seasoned traveler, you know what to do. If you’re a novice, watch what the others are doing and follow their lead. The Security Officers will also tell you what to do. (Some will tell you nicely… others, well, sometimes they can be a bit brusk, but that’s because they have to keep repeating themselves.)

Take off your shoes and jacket. Empty your pockets of loose change. Cell phones and sometimes watches should go in the bin. Your “one quart/one liter clear plastic bag” of liquids (each 3 oz/100 ml or less!) must come out of your carry-on bag. (Remember, one bag per person,)

Your laptop must come out too unless you have one of the new approved laptop bags that allow x-ray machines to get an unobstructed view of your computer without removing it. You might want to consider investing in one.

Have your boarding pass available and wait for the Officer to wave you through.

BUT YOU’RE NOT DONE YET!

Now you have to put yourself back together. Hopefully you’ve allowed plenty of time for this process, and you’re not trying to rush to catch your flight. Take your time. Make sure you’ve picked up everything you put in the bin.

You don’t want to leave anything behind. Get it all put back where it belongs, and make sure it’s secure. And make sure your shoelaces are tied… you don’t want to trip as you run for the plane… only kidding… you have plenty of time, and you don’t have to run. Right?

TSA Self-Selecting Security Lanes

If you’re a frequent flyer, you don’t need us to tell you about security and the TSA Self Selecting Lanes. You’ve probably already used one of those “Black Diamond Lanes” designed to get you through the TSA check point faster. According to the TSA, those lanes are working.

If you’re wondering what we’re talking about, you’re not a black diamond traveler…. and if you see color coded signs at the airport TSA checkpoints in the U.S., you should choose the blue square or the green circle. WHAT???

In the last year or so, the U.S. Transportation Security Agency, the TSA, has implemented a plan that they hope will speed up the screening lines at U.S. airports.

Instead of having just one security line for everyone, there are three lanes. They are color coded, and the TSA has chosen to model them after signs on ski runs that tell skiers where the hill is difficult and for experts, or where it’s moderate, or easy.

The Black Diamond Lane is for “Expert Travelers”. This is where frequent flyers go. People who know the routine and can get through the checkpoint quickly. They are familiar with the rules and procedures, have their plastic bag of liquids packed correctly and out of their carry-on, and they are prepared and ready to go through.

The Blue Square Lane is for “Casual Travelers”. This would apply to travelers who are familiar with the rules and regulations, but they may take a bit longer to sort out the plastic bag, the computer, the shoes… and they just don’t want to feel rushed at the checkpoint.

The Green Circle Lane is for “Families and Passengers with Medical Liquids”. If you’re really not sure what you need to do as you go through security, this lane is for you. It’s for families with small children, strollers, and liquids for children. Passengers with special needs should use this lane if they need assistance or extra time.

You are allowed to take more than 3 ounces/100ml of “medically necessary liquids” outside of the one quart plastic bag, but these must be declared to a TSA Officer. If this applies to you, you should use the Green Circle Lane where possible.

Though it’s up to individuals to choose the appropriate lane, the TSA says the honor system seems to be working. According to them, the black-diamond lanes are 21 percent faster on average. So far 50 airports have the new lanes in place.

The self-selecting lanes seems to be lowering the stress and anxiety levels of all passengers. Expert travelers don’t feel that they are being slowed down, and families are able to take their time with all the things they have to carry for the kids. The TSA officers are happier when you aren’t so stressed so everyone wins.

So no matter what level of traveler you are, if you see those Black, Blue and Green signs at the start of the security line, choose the level that suits you best, and everyone will be on their way with fewer problems.

Advice For Air Travelers

What if your flight is delayed or cancelled? With fewer flights, it’ll be harder to get on the next plane out if this happens to you. Delays and cancellations are risks in snow-and-sleet season, but there can be problems in summer too… think thunderstorms on the East Coast of the U.S. or Europe. They delay flights every summer. You can check on-time performance records of flights you’re considering, but this won’t help with weather problems.

If you’re traveling abroad, you have to worry about monsoons, transiting foreign airports, or customs delays if you need to exit to connect to another airline for a longer trip.

The first flight of the day is generally your best bet for avoiding delays. Those delays have a domino effect and get worse throughout the day.

If you have a choice of connecting cities, pick the one with the warmest climate. Try to avoid airports with lots of delayed flights… though many times these will be hubs, and you won’t be able to avoid them. It’s because they are hubs that they have more delayed flights than other airports. It’s sort of the nature of hubs.

Delays may also be because of frequent weather problems as in the case of Chicago – ORD, or because of runway alignment as in the case of San Francisco – SFO.

Prepare for reality… This gets back to the “get there early” idea. Fly at least 24 hours before you need to be there (or back home). If you’re connecting, be sure your layover is at least two hours. Sure layovers are a drag, but if you have a tight connection, and that first flight is delayed an hour… your connection is BUSTED!!! Now what?

If you can’t avoid a tight connection, have a “plan B” ahead of time. If you’re delayed, knowing the alternatives will be valuable when you’re trying to rebook.

To avoid missing your flight in the first place, be sure you get to the airport in plenty of time. Most airlines now cut off check in for domestic flights 30 minutes to flight time. Show up 29 minutes to flight time… with bags to check… and you won’t be going when you thought you would. Even getting there 30 minutes ahead is dicey if there is any possibility of long lines at security. And face it, that’s always a possibility.

So to get there on time, get to the airport early… for an early morning flight… Avoid tight connections, and get there a day ahead. You can get over your jet lag, get a good nights sleep, and be ready for the start of your trip.

How To Be An Expert In Security Lines

There are security lines in almost all airports in the world these days. If you want to get through those lines like a frequent flyer, there are a few tricks that will make it easier for you and everyone around you. Think ahead, so you’re not doing all of this just as you get to the head of the line.

Empty your pockets of loose change. Wallets and cell phones should go into one of those little bins they provide also. Remember heavy watches, bracelets, and belt buckles can set of the alarm, so take those off, and stow them in your carry-on bag before you get to the front of the line or put them in the bins.

Consolidate books and snacks so you won’t have as many things to gather back together once you’ve been screened.

In the United States (and some other countries), you have to take your shoes off. Slip-on shoes will come off and go on faster. Zippers and laces will slow you down… have your shoes untied or unzipped before you get to the front of the line. (Take care when you put them back on that you don’t trip before you’re put back together!)

Have your one quart/one liter plastic bag with your liquids, creams and gels out of your carry-on, and put it in a bin. Remember each liquid should be 3 ounces/100 ml or less, right? There shouldn’t be any loose liquids in your carry-on bag. If you have “medically necessary” liquids or baby food, in most countries, those can be outside of your plastic bag allowance, but you must notify a screening officer.

Have a plan when you put things into bins on the screening belt. If you put things through the screening in the right order, you’ll be able to put yourself back together faster afterward. Here’s a good way to do this.

First put your shoes, coat and your carry-on “personal item” (usually your smaller bag) in the first bin. They will come through the x-ray first, and you can be putting them back on while you’re waiting for your other items to be screened.

If you’re carrying a computer, put your carry-on bag for your laptop in the bin ahead of your computer, then when your computer comes through, you’ll have the laptop bag ready to slip the computer right into it.

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 up. There are usually a few chairs against a wall nearby where you can sit down and put yourself back together.

You will annoy your fellow travelers AND the screening agents if you stand there and try to put those shoes on…. leaving your bin on the screening belt with others backing up behind yours. Airports report that almost half of all security checkpoint bottlenecks are caused by people putting themselves together after screening without moving to the side…. don’t let this be you!

Finally, refrain from arguing with security. There is always someone that thinks they know the rules better than airport security. In my experience it gets you nowhere but trouble – and usually to the back of the line and more frustrated. They get their way in the end.

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 think you’re an expert traveler no matter whether you travel often or not.

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