00:00See that person at the airport checkpoint?
00:03They're getting scrutinized by security, keeping everyone else waiting in the line.
00:07Yeah, getting through the screening seems like it takes forever, especially with those
00:11strict and confusing rules.
00:14But there are tips to make it faster!
00:16You wanna know them?
00:17Well then, pull up a seat!
00:19Oh, you're sitting already?
00:21Way to anticipate, pal!
00:241.
00:25Don't travel with coffee Most people bring magnets or keychains from
00:29their journey.
00:30But if your type of souvenir is packs of java, don't expect to go through the security
00:35in the blink of an eye.
00:37Usually, this love for coffee results in TSA workers searching through your bags.
00:42And it doesn't matter if you travel with a carry-on or checked baggage.
00:45Apparently, the strong smell of coffee might be used to hide the smell of… suspicious
00:51substances.
00:52But not only coffee can get you into trouble, mm-mm!
00:552.
00:56Avoid packing cheese Many countries just call for taking a giant
01:00wheel of cheese back home from holidays.
01:03And who doesn't like cheese?
01:05But it's gonna be the reason for a fuss during the X-ray monitoring.
01:09Because cheese, as well as all other organic products like meat, looks orange on the screen,
01:15which raises suspicions.
01:173.
01:18Pack smart It's better to pack the bare minimum if
01:21you really wanna make it quickly through the security check.
01:25If that's not an option for you, then don't put things on the bottom of your carry-on
01:29if you know you'll have to take them out for separate screening.
01:32Such things usually include electronics and the bag with liquids.
01:36However, security can ask you to remove even snacks or books from your carry-on to make
01:41sure an overstuffed bag is safe.
01:44So it's better to place those things in a side pocket or at the top of your bag for
01:48easy reach.
01:504.
01:51Choose the right outfit Wearing slip-on shoes is your best bet.
01:55No one wants to be that person who makes everyone wait in line while they're fumbling with
02:00their shoelaces when asked to take off their footwear.
02:03I've been there.
02:04Yeah, the poor schmuck with the shoelaces.
02:06As for clothes, put on something simple, without many pockets or a lot of metal decorations.
02:11Also, change your belt for one with a plastic buckle.
02:15And try to minimize the number of accessories, such as jewelry, watches, and hairpins.
02:205.
02:21Don't make a fancy hairdo Guys, more on airport fashion.
02:26If you have long hair, just snatch it in a simple ponytail or keep it loose.
02:31Otherwise, you set yourself up for an additional inspection from security.
02:35Anything from carefully braided hair to an elaborate updo will keep you at the checkpoint
02:40longer.
02:41Piled-up hair can look like a great style choice for you, but for TSA agents, it looks
02:46like a place where something might be hidden.
02:49Like a Cornish game hen, or worse.
02:526.
02:53Keep in mind the 3-1-1 rule.
02:56You can only bring 3.4 oz or smaller containers on board in your carry-on.
03:01But here's a little catch – all those containers must fit in one quart-sized Ziploc bag.
03:07This is the so-called 3-1-1 rule, which many airports follow around the world.
03:13Just check the website of your airline for more info on carry-on though.
03:17Notice that toothpaste, as well as various face and body creams, are considered liquids.
03:23All other containers that are larger than 3.4 oz, regardless of the actual amount inside,
03:29must be packed in checked baggage.
03:317.
03:33Leave your spare change at home Okay, here's a bit of statistics for you.
03:38The estimated amount of change U.S. travelers collectively left behind at security checkpoints
03:43in 2018 was somewhere around $1 million.
03:48So to save your money and time during the security check, simply leave your pocket change
03:52at home.
03:53This way, you'll have to put less stuff in plastic bins when you go through the scanners
03:58and won't make others wait while you're fishing for your dimes in that bin.
04:02Speaking of money...
04:038.
04:04Don't bring a lot of cash.
04:08If you travel abroad, it seems logical to exchange money for the currency of the country
04:12you're going to at the best rate.
04:15Your travel agent might even recommend this.
04:18But carrying anything in bulk will inevitably make you suspicious for airport security.
04:23They most probably are going to ask you questions about why you need so much cash and where
04:29it came from.
04:319.
04:32Weigh your bags.
04:33No, not wave at your bags.
04:36Either do it at home or before heading out to the airport, or use the scales that many
04:40terminals have in front of the check-in areas to make sure your baggage isn't overweight.
04:46And even if it happens to be a bit heavier than it's supposed to be, then you'll have
04:50some time to do any swapping between your bags before it's your turn to show up at
04:55the check-in counter.
04:5710.
04:58No snow globes in a carry-on.
04:59Aw, man!
05:02Such an innocent thing can be considered a possible security threat.
05:06Remember that 3-1-1 rule?
05:08Well, your pretty treasure contains more than an allowed amount of liquid, so pack it carefully
05:14in your checked bags.
05:1611.
05:17Avoid traveling at peak times.
05:19By the way, this is not the 3 hours between 5 and 8 when travelers tend to peak around
05:24the corner at unsuspecting passengers.
05:27It's the other kind of peak.
05:28No, not the mountain kind either.
05:31Anyway, you can't avoid it altogether, but if the situation allows, pick your flight
05:36wisely to save yourself from huge lines at checkpoints.
05:40Airports are usually overcrowded during the holiday season or special sporting events.
05:45Also, try to avoid booking your flight on Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., since this is the
05:50time when some travelers are returning home from business trips and others are flying
05:54out of town for leisure.
05:5612.
05:57Look for far-away checkpoints.
06:00People tend to choose the closest security line to them.
06:03If that line turns out to be super crowded, just look around after ID and ticket check.
06:08You may see another checkpoint with much fewer people.
06:12Some checkpoints at the airport are situated at the far edges of the terminal, and that's
06:17why passengers fail to notice them.
06:2013.
06:22Use TSA PreCheck.
06:24Applying for TSA PreCheck can be a great time-saver for traveling in and out of the U.S.
06:30Being a member of this program has some great perks.
06:32First, getting through security and passport control happens faster.
06:36If you're a PreCheck traveler, you won't have to take off your shoes or remove a belt.
06:41And forget about placing your stuff like liquids and laptops in special bins.
06:46If you aren't flying to or from the U.S., then you can look up similar services available
06:50in your country.
06:5214.
06:53Fly premium class.
06:56Of course, not everybody can afford it, but if you travel a lot for business, for example,
07:01and in your situation time is money, then you should consider this option.
07:06You'll not only get an enhanced in-flight experience with more comfortable seats and
07:10tastier food, but also will be whisked away to your business or first-class seat faster.
07:16Premium class passengers can expect expedited security lane access, which makes check-in
07:21go more smoothly.
07:2315.
07:24Keep your documents close, and your enemies closer.
07:27Oops, sorry, that's from The Godfather.
07:30No need to waste your time by digging through your bag searching for your papers when you
07:34reach the check-in desk.
07:35You'll have to show your ID and ticket a few times going through airport security.
07:40So it's better to have them ready in an easily accessible spot, like an exterior pocket,
07:45or simply in your hand.
07:47Also keeping them in hand is a great way to avoid forgetting them at home or in your car.
07:5316.
07:54Check-in online.
07:56Most airlines now have this option, which can save you lots of time.
08:00You can also print your boarding pass in advance.
08:03If you're someone who usually travels only with a carry-on, checking in online will make
08:07your way through security checkpoints faster and easier.
08:11But if you have bags that must be checked, then check-in agents will reissue another
08:15boarding pass for you at the airport.
08:18And finally, remember, leave the spare change, take the cannoli.
08:22If you know what that line's about, leave me a comment!
Comments