Last updated: 24 June 2023
The inspiration for this post comes from so many hours spent lining up for airport security.
Have you spent a frustratingly long amount of time stuck behind someone that wants to argue over their 500mL of shampoo bottle? If you’re already nodding along in agreement then read on. Together we just might be able to change the world…
The old saying is true, it’s all down to practice. I’ve developed a little system to speedily make my way through security. I love George Clooney’s methods from Up In The Air and I think some of us can learn from that.
While you’re standing there frustrated by everyone around you, annoyed by the guy that’s on the phone, the woman who keeps bumping you with her oversized tote and the kid that you just know will be kicking your chair for the next 8 hours, just try cope. Just breathe. And distract yourself…
Start by removing items in preparation for security screening. Remove items such as hats, sunglasses and jewellery and put it in an accessible pocket in your bag (or jacket).
Shoes: You’ve been told to conserve suitcase space by wearing your bulkiest shoes. Correct! BUT: if they are knee-high lace up boots that you can’t possibly live without, then at least undo your laces while in line.
Liquids: Everything liquid, gel or cream into a zip lock bag 20 cm x 20 cm. Each item must be <100ml. You must have this out and ready for inspection during security screening so don’t pack it to the bottom of your carry on. Got a water bottle in your bag that you want to take to the other side? Drink it or empty it out. You can take the empty bottle but you can’t take the water.
Technology: Phones, tablets, iPads and laptops must be removed from your bag and placed flat for x-ray. Airport advise says all devices should be removed from their cases but from personal experience, tablet and phone cases tend to be OK, however laptops generally are not.
Pockets: Check your pockets. Pat yourself down. Think you’ve got everything? Then check again. One coin will set off the metal detector. Empty your pockets of everything except your dirty tissues. (Don’t forget your belt!)
The Process
When you get to the front of the queue you should already have undone your shoe laces, removed all jewellery, hats & sunglasses and placed them in your bag. You should have all your technology in one hand along with your passport and boarding pass. The other hand you should be dragging/carrying your bag.
Approach, bag down. Grab a tray. Devices go in first, flat. Passport/boarding pass can go on top. In the corner of the same tray place your bag of liquids. Place your jacket over the top.
You don’t always have to remove your shoes, if you don’t have to then don’t. This adds time.
You should easily proceed through the metal detector. Your tray and bag should still be proceeding through the x-ray. Grab your bags and items as soon as they arrive and move to a ‘repacking station’. 100s of other people want to get through security quickly too so don’t hold it up by repacking your liquids and technology on the spot.
Travelling with children?
Baby items/ prams/buggies: (Everything listed here is from observation not personal experience) Prams/buggies must be collapsed and go through the x-ray. Try and take a queue on an end so you have more space to unload your child, remove items off the pram and fold it for screening. Your baby is asleep? No-one cares. 400 other parents have gone through before you today, sympathy isn’t a typical characteristic of airport security staff.
Liquids in baby bottles are OK but you’ll be made to swig each bottle to show that it’s not harmful or explosive. Have these ready for inspection.
Do you have a system for streamlining security screening? What is it? What’s the best & worse airports you’ve experienced for security lines?
Great tips, I’m sure we’ve all been incredibly frustrated with people who don’t get the system… and potentially incredibly humbled when the airport security systems bite back and decide to take away things like our toothpaste or nail clippers ‘in the name of safety’… because everyone knows that the most villainous amongst us make impromptu suicide bombs with toiletries.
But in all seriousness, I’ve come up with a new game in these situations, try to see if I can never break forward momentum. It can be really difficult at times when the line stops and you continue to make baby steps or you’re taking off your shoes/belt/jacket/hat/rest of your wardrobe without breaking stride… but it’s the small pleasures in life, ain’t it?!
Awesome tips here to make that tiring process of getting through airport security a little easier. Honestly, I have to admit that I don’t mind the airline security process simply because for the most part my experiences have not been too bad. In fact, on one of our last trips from Philadelphia back to Memphis we arrived at the terminal and noticed a really long line. Anticipating at least a 30 minute wait to get through security, we were delighted to be randomly selected to go through the additional TSA pre-approved line and get checked that way, bypassing the hoards of people queuing up.
Interesting point about technology. We generally take laptops, iPads, phones and cameras with us on our carry on. For the most part only our laptop has to come out but when we take our Nikon DSLR we frequently have to remove this for them to check over, the worst experience was at CDG in Paris when they asked us to remove ALL our electronics and pass through the x-ray.
Ugh to Paris! I got stuck in Marrakech for the same thing. Apparently more than one lens draws attention. I noticed that with one lens I would get straight through but if my camera kit is full then apparently I look dodgy.
I’m no fan of flying. Not because I’m afraid of anything but rather because it takes SO. DAMNED. LONG. I have no patience for all that lining up, sitting, lining up, sitting. These tips can definitely help me cope a little better. 🙂
We have the same conversation every time we pass through security. On route my husband is already removing his belt that he knows will set the alarms off, I have put all of our liquids in the clear bags (that I always have a stack of) ready to chuck into the tray. The laptop is in my hand, ipad in his…the bags will always need opening because the camera equipment we now carry but we are prepared for this, change is removed from pockets along with shoes – all before we hit the barrier – so why are others still struggling with this?
Great Post 🙂
Oh YES!! Finally someone who shares my passion. Firm believer there should be an express line for regular travelers or ones that know what they’re doing!
I´m a bad person I always think it is hilarious to see other people struggling and getting back and forth because they forgot their watch or their belt or something. Seriously I´m horrible, I smile of other peoples uncomfort. Seeing the faces go red, seeing other people getting annoyed and irritated, seeing the custom officer lifting his or her eyebrows – I love it haha.
I´m always in time for my flight so no need to hurry and yep I have stripped myself already so I´m good to go.
Oh Milene you’re hilarious. I see the security officers rolling their eyes. Seriously it’s a job I just couldn’t do
Man, if there was one thing I could change about traveling, it would be all the nonsense with flying, but I guess its not that bad, and at the end of the day if you are going through the hassle it means you are flying somewhere which is always awesome!
Flying is a bit of a love/hate relationship. All the rigmarole to get on the plane and (for us Aussies in particular) it takes the best part of a day or more to get anywhere. The whole ordeal is utterly exhausting and the frustration brought on by others is definitely amplified.
Great tips! I’m going to need them when we fly back to the US. Last time we went through security, my mom forgot to take her kindle out of her bag and we were stuck in the line for another 15 minutes.
Thanks Jonathan. With so many people all trying to get through quickly it’s so important to try and remember everything. But I too have made mistakes and taken a full water bottle by accident. I think the US is a bit more strict when it comes to shoes, I think it’s always shoes off, Europe seems to depend of the type of shoes you have. Making it a bit more complicated to get it right!