More Than Points

I do this twice a week, every Monday and Thursday, so I’d consider myself a seasoned veteran. I’ve seen less frequent travelers follow my lead and make it through security without a hitch. If you follow these steps, you should be able to get through security without any issues and minimize the chance of missing a flight if you’re running late.

Before you get to the airport, you need to do some things beforehand.

Preparation Tips:

• Checkin/print your boarding pass in advance and put it in an easily accessible location (e.g. coat pocket, purse)
• Ensure all liquids are in a quart-sized sandwich bag in an easily accessible location (e.g. front pocket of your carry-on, backpack)
• Wear shoes which you can slip on and off with relative ease
• If your belt buckle is Texas-style large, swap belts or don’t wear it
• Empty your pockets of all change or transfer your loose change to your bag or jacket pockets

Key Tips to Get Through Security:

1. After getting your boarding pass and ID checked - put your boarding pass in your pocket (not coat pocket). Security will ask for it after you move through the metal detector
2. Use only 2 plastic bins - one for your laptop and the other one for your shoes, coat, and quart-sized sandwich bag with your liquids
3. Keep your wallet, watch, and belt ON - no need to take them off if you followed the preparation tips
4. Don’t put your carry-on bag on the table, roll it with you until you get to the x-ray machine - it’s easier to manage that way and you don’t take valuable table space from the people behind you
5. At the metal detector always WAIT for the TSA employee to give you the signal to come through
6. Read the TSA’s badge and greet them by name with a smile - look them in straight in the eye

NOTE: If you do get pulled aside for a bag check or a manual scan always cooperate, smile, and don’t try to speed up the process. You are not allowed to touch your bags while they are checking them. They are not concerned you’ll miss your flight. Let the TSA person do their job (even if they do it slowly) and you’ll get through the process faster.

Here’s hoping you always catch your flight.