Your flight is in twenty minutes and the TSA line is insanely long. It’s a nightmare and no one is in a good mood—which means skipping ahead is not an option. Did we mention you also don’t have TSA Pre-Check? We’ve come up with five tips to aid you in situations like this.
Wearing lace-up sneakers to the airport sounds comfortable, but without TSA Pre-Check, it’s going to be annoying and time-consuming to untie your shoelaces. Try to wear slip-on shoes like flats and boat shoes. Just remember to wear socks; you don’t want to have to walk barefoot through security. I usually opt to wear thin socks with my boat shoes while traveling—the shoes are easy to slip off and the thin socks keeps my foot from touching the floor. We also recommend shoes like TOMS for both men and women. They're easy to get off and on. See more picks here.
#2 Carry a Tote
Save a few seconds while going through security by having your laptop, toiletry bags, and other mandated removals in an easy-to-reach place. You don’t want to have to unzip bags and cases to reach those items. Opt for a tote that’s large but also easy to carry. Our pick is this bag by Scarleton. It’s stylish and will fit just about everything. If you want something a bit more basic, go for this tote from Port & Company. Check out our favorite Tote bags here.
#3 Don’t Forget the 3-1-1 Rule
If you plan to bring any toiletries aboard your flight, make sure you follow the 3-1-1 rule while packing. All toiletries must be three ounces or less, stored in a plastic bag, and the rule limits one bag per traveler. You can save a bit of money by buying reusable containers to fill instead of buying travel-sized products. Travel-sized toiletries are usually more expensive than full sized ones. Find our toiletry picks here.
The most important thing to remember when going through security is to keep calm. Everyone is trying their best to get to their destination, but sometimes there will be unavoidable delays. My favorite way to keep calm is to get a full night’s rest before my trip. Apps like Headspace offer a quick meditation if you find that to be beneficial. Also, make sure to bring a small hand sanitizer in your 3-1-1 bag or antibacterial wipes. The TSA bins are dirty, so you’ll want to wipe down your items or just your hands after you finish going through security. See our picks for sanitizers and wipes here.
#5 Get the TSA's VIP Treatment
This is the best way to fly through TSA security. Join the VIP line! By signing up for expedited security programs like TSA Pre-Check you’ll get to avoid body scanners, keep your shoes on, and keep your laptop, tablets, and toiletries in your bag. Even if the expedited TSA Pre-Check lines are long, you’ll still save a bit of time and energy by not having to remove those items. To learn more or sign up, check out the TSA PreCheck enrollment page.
For more security tips, check out this article from our friends at SmarterTravel.
