Planning and preparation. That’s the key to making it through airport security quickly. But no matter how prepared you think you are, it’s possible something will come up at the last minute.
Want to navigate airport security quickly?
Check your documentation. If you’re traveling out of the country and don’t have a passport, apply at least six weeks ahead of time, possibly more if you don’t have a copy of your birth certificate on hand.
Before you apply for a passport, go to a drug store and have a passport photo made, usually for less than $10. Don’t expect to look like a cover girl in the photo, but don’t be afraid to ask for another shot if the photo is too light or too dark.
When I took my drugstore photo to the clerk of court in my county, the clerk rejected it because it was too light. She told me the airline might not accept it because it didn’t look like me. Luckily, there was another drug store close by and I was able to get a new photo within the hour. When you receive your passport in the mail, be sure to sign it before going to the airport.
Plan Ahead For Quick Navigation Through Airport Security
A good plan for zipping through airport security unscathed is to check in online up to 24 hours before your flight. In early January 2010, I traveled on US Airways and printed my boarding pass the day before my flight. If you’re checking bags, you’ll most likely save yourself some money by checking in online.
If you’re going to carry-on, make sure your bag adheres to size requirements. US Airways allows one carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or laptop bag. Carry-on baggage can weigh up to 40 pounds and measure up to 45 inches (14x9x22).
But just because your bag meets requirements for one airport, doesn’t mean it will work at another airport. My carry-on luggage raised nary an eyebrow at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, but the same bag had to be checked at London Gatwick Airport, even though I flew US Airways both ways.
There is plenty in airport security to trip up even a seasoned traveler, but don’t let toiletries be the cause. Place your shampoos, deodorants and toothpaste, no more than 3.4 oz. for each, into a one quart plastic bag. Larger bottles will be confiscated and tossed. I made the mistake of putting a jar of marmalade from Harrods Department store into my carry-on bag at Gatwick, and it was taken away. Thank goodness, the other five jars were in my checked baggage.
Plan and Prepare to Get Through Airport Security
If you want to make it through airport security without a hitch, make it easy on yourself. Since you have to take your shoes off, wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off. I wore knee length boots, which were difficult to take off while going through the line.
Be aware of full-body scanners. Since the attempted Christmas Day bombing of a Northwest Airlines flight by a man who put explosives in his underwear, security has been heightened. Charlotte Douglas International Airport has three such scanners, but passengers who believe the scanners are too intrusive and revealing, may opt out. You will, however, be subject to a full pat down.
Calm, Cool and Collected Will Get You Through Airport Security
If you want to get through airport security quickly, no matter where you are, keep a level head. Get to the airport early so you’ll have plenty of time to hug or kiss the loved ones who’ve come to see you off. The morning I left to fly back to the U.S., I stuck a yogurt container into my jacket pocket to eat on the plane later. Of course it was confiscated because it wasn’t allowed on the plane.
Be careful what you say if you want to get through airport security in a speedy manner. In the Gatwick Airport, an employee who checked my carry-on bag asked me a question that I didn’t quite hear. I said, “Excuse me?” And he said, “Oh, you don’t speak English.” In my blunt American way, I said, “Well, I may not speak proper English as you do, but I do speak English.” The woman behind me laughed, and so did he before saying, “Get away with you!
Avoid Thorough Search of Your Carry-on Luggage
But who had to have her bag checked out? It could have been my comment, along with the yogurt in my jacket pocket and the marmalade in my bag, but every item was removed from my carry-on by another employee, who took an excruciating long time to perform the task while making small talk.
When I was finally allowed through security, I checked the status of my flight, only to see that it was “Closing.” I ran for the gate, wondering how I would get home when I missed my flight–I was not the type to miss a flight! To my relief, the plane had not left, but was waiting on three people to show up, me being one of them. Once on board, I truly sank into my seat with a sigh of relief.
To sum it up, if you want to speed through security, have your documentation ready, visit the airline’s website and read their policies, print your boarding pass before going to the airport, arrive early and remain calm, cool and collected.
www.usairways.com
www.charmeck.org
www.gatwickairport.com
Related Reading:
Travel Tips for Novice International Airline Flyers
