7 THINGS NOT TO DO AT AIRPORT SECURITY | FLIGHTLAYAWAY

Airport security is a nuisance, but it’s one traveler must accept if they wish to be able to fly around the world safely. The best you can hope for is to get through security as quickly and painlessly as possible. That means being prepared and avoiding airport security mistakes that will slow you and everyone else down, and maybe even get you into trouble with the TSA.

The following 10 suggestions for what not to do at airport security will make you a savvier flyer, capable of breezing through the checkpoint like a pro.

1. Don’t leave liquids and gels deep in your carry-on.

One surefire method to slow a security line down is to waste time digging through your carry-on for items that need to be placed in the bin individually. Putting travel-sized liquids into a clear, see-through quart-sized bag is not enough. Keep the bag stored in a handy place—such as an external compartment on your carry-on—so all you have to do is reach in and grab it.

2. Don’t forget to have your boarding pass and ID handy.

Similar to the above, you don’t want to be pulling out your wallet to grab your ID while you’re standing in front of the security agent. Do that while waiting in line or, better yet, before you even get in line. You’ll not only make things faster for yourself and those behind you, but you also won’t annoy the security agent.

3. Don’t wait to take off your belt, watch, jacket, and shoes.

If you haven’t caught on to the “be prepared” mantra yet, here it is again. 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. If you’re wearing a belt or watch, take it off while you’re in line. Same thing with your jacket and even your shoes if possible, especially if they’ve got shoelaces—at the very least, have your laces untied so all you have to do is slip your shoes off. Caveat: Seniors over the age of 75, kids under 13, and those who have TSA PreCheck may leave their shoes and light jackets on.

4. Don’t remove items you don’t need to remove.

One of the most common airport security mistakes is to take out all your electronic devices to be scanned separately. You don’t need to do this. According to the TSA, only electronics larger than a cell phone must be removed from their carrying cases and X-rayed separately. This does include laptops and tablets, but it doesn’t include phones, electric toothbrushes, or hair dryers. TSA PreCheck members don’t have to remove electronics for separate screening.

Also, in most cases, you do not need to remove your jewelry before going through security. If you’re wearing particularly bulky items, you might want to take them off, but smaller pieces such as wedding rings and earrings can usually stay on. If you set off any alarms, the screening agent will work with you to determine the problem, which might or might not require jewelry removal.

5. Don’t overlook less busy checkpoints.

Most large airports have multiple checkpoint entries for any given terminal, and some may be busier than others at certain times of the day. The TSA offers travelers an app called MyTSA that you can use to check security wait times based on historical data. Just be sure you actually can reach your gate via the checkpoint you’ve selected.

6. Don’t give the security folks a hard time.

You may think your trial shampoo bottle is smaller than 3.4 ounces, or maybe the last time you went through security, no one cared that your mascara wasn’t in a clear bag. All that matters is what they’re telling you this time. While the particular TSA agent demanding you give up your “contraband” very well may be in the wrong, at that moment he or she has all the power, and arguing isn’t going to get you anywhere but possibly detained.

7. Don’t joke about national security or bombs.

Technically, cracking jokes about national security at an airport is not illegal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get in trouble for doing it. There are numerous cases of passengers being arrested after joking about explosives or bombs while being examined at security. You may think your joke is funny or harmless, but remember, the TSA has no sense of humor when it comes to doing its job. Always err on the side of caution.

Conclusion

You should always be aware of these things when you are going to the airport and if you are planning to travel with your friend and family you can book flight tickets with different installation options with Flightlayaway. You can book now pay later, but before flying.