How To Breeze Through Airport Security

#1 Do Not Carry Prohibited Items

Know what you can carry on, and leave the rest behind; this should go without saying for even a once-a-year traveller. Items like metallic knives and inappropriately sized liquids are completely prohibited. Ensuring that all of your appropriately sized liquids are in one easy-to-grab Ziploc bag.

#2 Do Not Forget to Have Your Boarding Pass and ID in Hand

Pull out your wallet to grab your ID while waiting in line or, better yet, before you even get in line and not while you are standing in front of the security agent. This will help make things faster for yourself and those behind you; you will also avoid annoying the security agent.

#3 Do N0t Wait to Take Off Your Jewelry, Belt, Watch, Jacket and Shoes

It is high-time you catch on to the airport’s “be prepared” mantra. Metallic jewelry, belts or watches, should be taken-off while you are in line. Same applies to your jacket and possibly your shoes, particularly the ones with shoelaces (at the very least, have the laces untied so all you have to do is slip your shoes off). The best way to move through security as fast as possible is to have everything you need out and ready to be placed on the conveyor belt as soon as you get there.

#4 Do Not Choose the Wrong Security Lane

Ensure you keep your eyes open for lane signs, so you don’t get in the wrong one. Choosing the wrong lane can cause wasting a whole lot of valuable time.

#5 Do N0t Give the Security Folks a Hard Time

You may think that the last time you went through security, no one cared that your mascara and liquid foundation was not in a clear bag. All that matters is what they are telling you this time. At that moment, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has all the power and arguing is not going to get you anywhere but possibly detained.

#6 Do Not Joke about National Security or Bombs (or Boko-Haram)

Technically, cracking jokes about national security at an airport is not illegal, but that does not mean you can not get in trouble for doing it. You may think your joke is funny or harmless, but remember, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has no sense of humor when it comes to doing their jobs.

Note: Watch your bags as you go through metal detectors! Criminal gangs, or even screening staff, have been known to steal from security checkpoints. So watch your bags as they go in and come out of the x-ray.