What was meant to keep us safe has often devolved into spending hours waiting in lines and queues just to get through. After dozens of flights, I’ve put together this post with some of my favorite die-cutting tips and tricks to help you, my friends, get through airport security faster. In this post, I’m going to share everything you need to avoid the bottleneck effect and bypass airport security lines.

I bet you know the feeling of almost missing a flight. If you’d like to avoid it, follow these airport travel tips to help you get through airport security faster and speed up the check-in procedure.

Like many of the frequent flyers around the world, I have a love relationship with airports. However, those long crazy lines, confusing gate numbers, and the possibility of missing my flight drive me crazy. It’s a rush. There comes a point where it’s not fun anymore – running through the airport, adrenaline sweats, stuff falling out of your backpack, everyone staring at you and a looming worry that you missed something along your sprint of personal terror. Missing a flight might lead to an expensive travel nightmare.

How To Get Through Airport Security Faster

1. Choose a Shorter line

This tip may seem fairly obvious but it is still very practical. While this phenomena science can’t explain yet, why not take advantage of it! I have noticed that people often stand at a longer line that is closer to the flight gate. However, most airports have two or more security areas, so picking a less busy check-up point can save you precious time.

Probably, this happens because people develop tunnel vision when they’re tired or stressed out and they settle for the first line they see. Or maybe it’s something else? According to recent studies, passengers scan an area starting at the side where their dominant hand is. Since there are more right-handed people among us than there are left-handed, more people will be inclined to go to the right. That said, always look to your left when searching for lines.

2. Get Airline Elite Status

Another great way to experience shorter lines at airport security screening is through airline elite status. Many airlines in the United States allow at least their mid-tier and top-tier elites to access the priority security lines, so you can get through the airport security much faster with first-class passengers even if you’re not flying up front. This perk makes a journey through airport security quick and hassle-free even to any companions traveling with the elite member. Having said that, it can’t hurt to try and bring them along with you.

You can access these lines with a card showing elite status from airlines like Southwest, United, Delta, and JetBlue, even if you’re not flying with them. Keep in mind, this only applies to the regular security line, not the TSA PreCheck line.

3. Sign Up For TSA PreCheck

There are membership programs that help passengers get through security screening quicker. For instance, PreCheck is growing quickly and allows travelers to opt out of the standard lines and receive expedited screening. With these advanced security checkups, you don’t have to remove your shoes, belts, and carry-on liquids. 3-1-1 liquids and laptop can stay packed, and you won’t have to go through the fully invasive scanners, just a plain old metal detector. Not only are the lines shorter here, but they move faster as well.

There are two ways to sign up for TSA PreCheck. The first one is to submit an online application to become a TSA Precheck member. Doing so requires enrolling directly in PreCheck through the TSA $85 fee and if you are accepted, your membership is good for five years. International travelers can also apply for the Global Entry, which speeds up your journey through domestic airport security upon arrival in the United States. It also includes TSA PreCheck access.

Global Entry has a $100 application fee and is also valid for five years. Finally, there are cards like The Platinum Card from American Express, Citi Prestige, the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card and the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard that offer credit for the cost of either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

You will get a nine-digit known traveler number (KTA) once you have been approved for either program. After it, you’ll need to enter into your airline reservations for airlines that have joined the TSA PreCheck program.

TSA Precheck Benefits In a Nutshell

The most notable benefit that TSA Pre-Check offers is the chance to bypass normally slow-moving security lanes in favor of an expedited one, saving you from experiencing considerable frustration and wasted time over the long run. By going through the TSA Pre-Check lane, passengers no longer have to remove shoes, the 3-1-1 liquid compliant bag, laptops, light jackets, and belts. Though these passengers are still subject to random searches, the overall process tends to go by more faster. Check the airports and airlines in the United States enrolled in TSA Precheck on the TSA website.

4. Get Your Travel Documents Ready

If you’re traveling abroad, ensure that you have acquired the right visa and never set off on your holidays without the right travel insurance. There also might be other documents you’re required to carry depending on your citizenship and your country of residence. Take a screenshot of your boarding pass or download a digital version rather than leaving it in your email or browser.

Even if you have a digital copy of your boarding pass, I always recommend having a printed copy of the rest of your travel documents. Some regulations might also require that you bring a printed ticket for security checks. It sounds ridiculous but trust me, it happens. Make sure your travel documents meet their requirements.

Prepare your passport or ID and onward ticket in advance because these are common requirements for international flights when you check your luggage.

Knowing how to organize your carry-on luggage is one of the traveler’s essential skills that will help with foreign travel. In fact, these skills often determine how good or bad a travel experience you’re going to have. As I will further explain, make sure that both your travel documents and electronics are easily accessible so you can get them ready to show the screening officer.

5. Wear Comfortable Clothes

Use common sense when it comes to dressing for the airport. The day before your flight lay out the airport outfits you’re going to wear the next day. On your travel day, avoid wearing clothing that’ll make security checks more tricky. I’m talking about difficult jewelry clasps, pants with metal buttons and snaps. Or at least, hold off wearing them until you pass the last security check. You want your attire to be as comfortable as possible. Wear functional clothes and shoes that you can quickly take off and then put back on.

I practically always wear sneakers to fly. I’m a real sneaker enthusiast so I take a pair on every trip and they’re usually the bulkiest shoes I pack. At the same time, I don’t recommend wearing sandals because you don’t want to expose your bare feet to whatever’s on a filthy airport floor. Also, bring along an extra pair of socks which you can change into after shuffling along the cold airport floor with no shoes on.

Consider bringing a jacket with plenty of pockets. That way, you don’t keep searching for your passport or phone in your bag. Avoid anything that’ll make security checks more tricky.

6. Pack Smart for a Trip

If you want to get through airport security faster pack your sunscreen and all other liquids, aerosols, and gels that are more than 100ml in your checked baggage.

I hate these moments when I get to the top of the security check line only to start looking for my laptop and liquids which I’ve stored at the bottom of my luggage. Instead, after I’ve double-checked what I’m allowed to bring in carry-on, I pack them last on top of everything else so when airline staff asks me to take out an item, I know where to pull it from.

Ideally, get a bag with a separate compartment for your electronics and your travel documents. Bear in mind, that your laptop, tablet, and phone must not be turned off. Charge them the night before as the officer might ask you to turn them on.

Here’s a Breakdown of How You Can Pack Smart:

• If you’re using a backpack, ensure it has a full edge zip and clamshell opening so you don’t need to pull everything out to get what’s in the bottom;
• Make sure that any liquids in your carry-on bag are in a clear plastic bag and don’t exceed the 100ml (3.4 oz or less) limit;
• Don’t bring restricted items; sharp objects, flammable substances, sports equipment, or anything that can be used as a weapon;
• Avoid wrapping presents: airport staff may have to unwrap them for control purposes.
• Bring sanitizing hand wipes to disinfect your airplane seat (you may also like this post on how to stay healthy on the road);

You may want to get a portable luggage scale and a measuring tape to ensure that your stuff is under the specified weight limit. They’re not that expensive and definitely not that heavy that they add more lbs to your baggage.

7. Enroll in Clear

Before you can begin your actual security screening, you must verify your identity. Clear is a company that uses fingerprint and eye scanners to verify your identity and have their own separate lane for identity verification. The Clear innovative program allows you to utilize biometric authentication at a kiosk rather than wait in a line for a TSA agent to inspect your ID.

Once they verify your identity, their representative will escort you to the actual security screening, bypassing everyone waiting in the first line. Of course, you can still use the PreCheck line if you are eligible. A one-year membership is $179. Children under 18 may use the Clear program for free when traveling with a paid member.

8. Know Where To Park

Knowing ahead of time where to park, how far parking lots are from the terminal can save you time and a lot of stress on your drive-in, as well as keep you safer as you navigate poorly marked airport manoeuvring areas. In the peak holiday season, parking lots fill up quickly, so you will want an alternate parking plan.

Many airports provide timely parking facility status updates on their websites, while others have automated telephone answering systems. As a side benefit, parking fares are usually displayed, so you can save money as well. It also doesn’t take much effort to check the maps so you know where you are going. Maps typically show the location of cell phone waiting lots, so it’s better to think about it in advance if you have someone picking you up.

9. Pick Your Time, Destination and Date Carefully

To avoid security lines at airports, you need to find the flights with the least amount of demand. Traveling to less popular locations and at less popular times of the day (early in the morning or late in the evening) is the best way to do so.

Of course, destination matters, too. I do believe everybody wants to visit Paris, Big Ben and Elizabeth Tower, but I don’t think you want a show-stopping attractions like these on every trip. Not only choosing less popular destinations can save you a lot of money but also reduce your time in airport security lines. You might be surprised how incredible your trip will be.

Similarly to traveling to less popular destinations, finding the best days of the week to fly are also very important. The fewer people who want to fly to major destinations on a specific day, the lower airfare will generally be.

I agree, it can be tough to find any pattern at all in international flight pricing. But when it comes to domestic U.S. travel, Tuesday and Wednesday are often the cheapest days to fly, with Thursday coming in slightly more expensive. This makes sense if you think about it.

Business travelers are usually traveling at the beginning or end of the week. Leisure travelers are rarely looking forward to flying on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Instead, they are heading out for weekend trips on Fridays or Saturdays. Not that many people have a reason to fly in the middle of the week.

10. Be Friendly and Cooperative

Being friendly, cooperative, and warm can go a long way. Normally, the workers manning the priority security lines are independent contractors, however, TSA agents can replace them in some cases. That said, it doesn’t hurt to ask for sending you through the priority line.

11. Check-in Online

It is advisable to download an app for the airline you’re flying with. Most airlines will allow you to use the app to check-in online, especially if you are not checking bags. Check in to your flight on their website, where you can select a seat, and print your boarding pass.

This means you can save yourself a heap of time and skip the check-in process. Just drop any bags you may have to be checked in at the counter. Some airports allow luggage drop off at separate lines so that you can avoid the check-in line entirely.

I have found that when checking luggage and having the pre-printed boarding pass in your hand doesn’t help all that much. In fact, check-in agents often end up reissuing another boarding pass when you check your bags. Additionally, checking in online the best way to secure the seat you want onboard the plane.

The Bottom Line

Although going to the airport is a rather easy and straightforward process, the tips above will help you get through security faster than your traveling buddies. Signing up for TSA PreCheck is one of the best things you can do in order to achieve this goal. However, there are also other ways you can select to get through the detectors quicker than normal.

Did I miss anything? Did you find these tips helpful? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below or on my Facebook or Twitter pages. Please feel free to share it with any of the social media buttons.

UP NEXT:

What Motivates People to Travel

How to Overcome Jet Lag Naturally

How to Deal With Travel Envy