5 tips to get through airport security quickly
It’s the necessary evil of air travel – airport security. Follow these tips and get through the dreaded line as fast as you can.
1. Book the right flight
Book a flight that departs when the airport is quiet. That usually means very early in the morning, when the business rush has subsided, or very late at night when things are shutting down. Airports can also be quiet between 11am and 3pm, which is off-peak for business travel. Less people means shorter lines – you might even get to walk straight through.
2. Choose your line carefully
Intuitively, most people will take the security line to the right. Go against the crowd and pick the line to the left. Reverse psychology at its finest. You should also go for the line with only one agent. Often when there are two people working on a line, one of them is being trained and that will always take more time.
3. Get yourself ready
Do not – we repeat, do not – wait until you are at the head of the line to start removing your jacket or emptying your pockets. Start preparing yourself for the scanner as soon as you get close to the front. Take off your belt and shoes, remove sunglasses and bulky jewellery, and put your phone and wallet into a tub. That way, you can step straight through the scanner and be on your way.
4. And get your bag ready
Before you get in line, make sure you don’t have any sharp items it your carry on, like scissors, nail clippers, tweezers or a pocket knife. Take your laptop or tablet out of your bag, ready to place in a separate tub. If you’re travelling internationally, make sure your liquids are under 100ml and sealed in a clear Ziploc bag.
5. Pay for exclusive access
If you travel a lot, it might be worth paying to join one of the new programs that give you priority access through security. Programs like TSA Precheck, Clear and Global Entry give members access to a dedicated lane in customs, immigration and security at many major airports so you don’t have to wait with the rest of the passengers. You’ll need to register online and have your details stored, but it can be a great time saver and works out to be only around $20 a year.
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