Get Through the Airport Faster with These Travel Tips

It doesn’t matter where we are going over the holidays we want to get there as fast and as smooth as we can. The last thing we want is to be held up in airport security because of something silly we did (or didn’t) do.

4 Tips for Packing Your Carry-on

1. Use a clear plastic bag and follow the 3-1-1 rule for packing liquids and keep it accessible. Travel Accessory: Silicon Clear Tubes

    

   

   GoToob Squeezable Travel Tubes

2. Wrap your electronic cords neatly as a tangle of cords may look potentially harmful in an x-ray. Travel Accessory: Grid-It Organizer

    

   

   GRID-IT!® Organizer Bundle

3. Pack your laptop on top or in a separate pocket, as it will have to come out of your carry-on. Smaller electronics like your smartphone, tablet, or iPad can stay in your bag. Travel Accessory: Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bag

   

   Eagle Creek Universal Traveler Backpack RFID

4. Your id/passport and boarding pass also need to be handy, so pack them accordingly. Favorite Travel Accessory: RFID Blocking Neck Stash *Note: When traveling with RFID blocking accessories make sure to put them in the bin to be scanned with your other belongings. These items have fine foil fibers woven throughout and may beep as you walk through the scanner.

   

    

   Tarriss RFID Blocking Neck Stash

What to Wear

Have you ever noticed that the airport has some of the worst dressed people? Although it is partly understandable since you want to make it through the scanners “alarm free” and you want to be comfortable on your flight, but you don’t have to adopt the Leisure Suit Larry look to get through security quickly. I’m not going to give you any fashion advise, for that you should check out TravelFashionGirl.com, but I will offer a few helpful tips:

• Wear an outfit that doesn’t need a belt, or pack it in your bag until you are through security.
• Wear shoes that are easy to slip off (*note #1: that does not mean slippers and *note #2: wear socks or stockings, barefoot on an airport floor – eww!)
• If you want to wear jewelry put it in a clear ziplock bag and pack it safely in your bag or put in the pockets of your jacket so nothing is lost when it’s scanned.
• Take body piercings off if you can, otherwise, you may need extra screening.

In the Screening Area Line

If you travel a lot you probably already have your own routine to get through Security quickly, the following has worked well for me:

1. If you have a choice pick a line that is moving quickly, which is not always the shortest line. Think about a grocery line – the shortest one may have people with fuller carts and it will actually take you longer to get through.
2. When it’s your turn grab 3 bins, put your jacket, shoes, belt and liquids in the first bin, laptop in the second bin then put your carry-on behind your laptop. Some people like their laptop to go through last so they can make sure they are already on the other side to collect it, I prefer to have it smack in between my stuff.
3. Have your id/passport ready for the screening agent.
4. On the other side, go directly to your first bin and grab your jacket (especially if you put all your jewelry in it).
5. Next, grab your laptop (this is why I like it right beside my jacket) and if your carry-on is all ready put your laptop away. Then grab your shoes and belt and move out of the way to put yourself together. This will make it easier for everyone else coming through.

For more information, you can check out the TSA site.