Hello Everyone,
I just got back from a trip and witnessed the long lines at the TSA security check points. It made me think I should share my thoughts on how to make it through security without any hiccups. Since 9/11, I’ve gone through several stages of frustration, denial, and even anger to finally arrive at the point where I just want to make it thru TSA security as quickly and painlessly as possible. I’m sure you do too.
Here is what I did to adjust to the new reality. I purchased shoes without a metal shank inside. I ditched my large metallic money clip for a smaller one. I even changed to a different belt with a smaller metal buckle.
Here are my suggestions to make the TSA security a breeze.
First, Follow the rules… You don’t have to like the rules, but it is much, much easier on you if you follow the rules. If you don’t, the system WILL slow you down - a lot. More scans, hand wands, pat-downs…
Second, bag it early. Comply with the requirement to put all liquids and gels in a one quart plastic bag. Make sure it is a one quart bag. I’ve seen people reprimanded for having the wrong size plastic bag not to mention the wrong size contents. Visit the TSA website for all the rules.
Third, bag it early - again. Take all your metal off and put it in your carry on luggage before you ever get to the TSA scanners. If you aren’t sure, take it off. It is so much easier to take it off and have it safely in your bag before the first time through than to take it off after you “flunk” the first scan and wait for the hand wand while your prized piece of jewelry sits publicly exposed on the conveyor belt. I take off my watch, pen, phone, and pocket change and put it in MY bag. By putting it all in my bag, I can just grab my bag and go when I reach the other end of the x-ray machine. I re-assemble myself at my convenience away from the security check point.
I hope this helps. If you have other personal suggestions, leave them in the comments to this post.
tailwinds,
Robin
December 17th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
I tend to book flights as late as possible in the day since my travel is for pleasure nowadays. Around 8p the checkpoints are pretty open and I breeze right-on-thru. Pretty simple.
Its a pheonomenon as to why people still cant remember to leave their accoutrements at home or pack them in your checked bag. C’mon already.
December 17th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
I usually travel for business and my shoes are typically the slip-on kind (no laces) as most TSA checkpoints require you to take your shoes off. I know that may sound cheesy but there are some good, fashionable shoes out there (I prefer Ecco). Also, I carry my quart plastic bag in my laptop bag as it’s easier to take out than opening up my carry-on suitcase. My watch goes in my laptop bag at home and goes on my arm when I’m through security.
December 17th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
I always get my laptop bag loaded up with my metallic items before I even head to the check point. I take my license out, and put my wallet, phone, earpiece, etc. into the bag. The only thing I have to do at the x-ray belt is pop my laptop out and get my shoes off. It makes everything so much quicker. The real frustration I have lately is not so much with the TSA - but with people who wait until they get to the conveyor to do all of these things. They’re not only slowing themselves down - they’re slowing me down too.
December 18th, 2007 at 8:11 am
I’m in SLC. I would not purposely try to book midnight flights just to have a short security line, but it’s nice to go through security when the pace is so laid back. I was stuck doing the red-eye that last 16 weeks, so it was a smooth start. The elite security line is usually pretty short, so I also like everything ready.
It’s been two years since we could go through security with loafers that didn’t have a metal shank. I’m not holding my breath we get that back soon. I just get nice dress slip on shoes, no matter the shank now.
I stop in the main departure area to put all my metal in my bag, pull out my license and see that my liquid bag has easy access. I also pull out my laptop and set it on top of my roller-board leaning against the pulled out metal handle. It makes going through fast and no stress for me.
I used to take everything metal off, but have found a nice belt without much metal that always goes through security without a beep, if I take all my other metal out.
December 18th, 2007 at 8:22 am
“Know the Rules,” very well put, however with such a mix of travelers today in the United States, I add “Patience” and build some extra time in your travels for TSA. As a frequent business traveler, the drill is like clockwork, but there is always the person before you that is new to the drill or just doesn’t care. For those that are new to the line that we experienced flyers come across, a helping hand is always appreciated and a quick educational rundown makes for a smoother return on investment the next time they may fly.
Happy Holidays and Safe Travels to All!
December 18th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
I find that my watch and reasonable size belt buckle never set off the security scanners
December 19th, 2007 at 1:32 am
interesting.
December 19th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
As someone who travels every Sunday and THursday i’ve found the same belt buckle at IND will set of the one machine but not the other 3. I notified a TSA Supervisor that either one machine is calibrated correctly and the other 3 aren’t or vica versa! She was very polite and thanked me for pointing it out.
December 19th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
Why dosen’t DL make a better effort with airports to get the CLEAR Registered travler program? I Fly every sunday from FLL and every Thursday from IND. IND has CLEAR and i bypass the entire security queue. I verify myself and walk right up to the metal detectors with an escort. i take out the PC, slip off the shoes and i go thru. The CLEAR agent stays with my stuff and i get it on the other side.
There are MANY weekly commuters who fly out of FLL every SUNDAY! I see the same people each week in the Crown Room. When i ask the staff they verify it!
Frequent Business Travelers are willing to foot the $99/yr for the program. But no one at FLL will step up and take the initiative. So I ask DL, As platinum and as a stock holder, Why not take the initiative at Terminal 2?
December 19th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
The greatest investment I have made, was a bottle of Crown Royal. I know this sounds quite strange for a security discussion and while the Whisky was wonderful, the bag it came in has become one of my travel essentials. Before reaching the security line, typically on the shuttle to the terminal - my watch, rings, wallet (minus my ID), belt, chap stick, keys, change and any other loose item makes it into the purple bag. I then cinch it up, place it into my carry on. Once through security, the bag comes out - the belt goes on, the wallet ends up in the pocket and I’m able to rejewel as I stroll to the gate, while the guy in front of me fumbles with the plastic tray he had to dump all of his stuff into.
December 21st, 2007 at 1:50 pm
This was a very interesting post, as were the comments. I fly 200,000-250,000 miles a year. Many of the steps others who’ve commented are things that I do — for example, wearing slip-on shoes and keeping my toiletries in my laptop case. Here are some other things I do which I find to be helpful.
1. Arrive early. Airports may not be the most thrilling place for some to spend their time, but I’d much rather clear security with extra time than have to rush through and be nervous. With Wi-Fi, improved airport concessions, and airline lounges I’m generally able to fill the time productively and pleasantly.
2. Be nice. The TSA may not be perfect, but remember, the screeners are charged with carrying out whatever tasks the critters in DC think up — they don’t create the policies. I suspect most folks reading this blog were taught basic manners by thier parents. Let’s remember to treat the screeners with the same courtesy we’d like them to show us.
3. Pack your electronic accessories together. I recently bought a small lightweight plastic box at Walgreen’s in San Francisco, where I live. It cost less than $2 (plus tax). In it I store my laptop and phone charger, and any other electronic accessories I might need, such as a travel-size computer mouse. The box makes it easier to keep everything together, and has helped reduce the number of times my bag has to be rescreened, becuase everything is together. It also saves me from having to scrounge around in my laptop bag to find what I need.
4. Think about what you’re taking. We’re taking a trip, people, we’re not abandoning the Earth for a new solar system, never to return. I am very disciplined about the clothes I pack. I pick one color as the primary one I’ll wear and build around that. I rarely pack more than four days’ worth of clothes — if I’m traveling for very long I’ll find a place to do laundry or send it out at the hotel. I realize this has kept me off People Magazine’s “best dressed list”, but that is a sacrifice I’m willing to make in order to (a) preserve my back and shoulders and (b) ensure my carry-on will fit in most overhead bins.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Here in Detroit, security checkpoint lines usually aren’t that long in the Northwest WorldGateway McNamara Terminal. Regardless, I usually have designated items that i’ll wear through security. For example, a pair of pants I own I guess have a small amount of metal on them, which has tripped the metal detector before. They didn’t do anything, they just touched that area and said alright your fine. Anyways, by having a designated outfit so to say always makes my travel experience smooth. During the summer, for guys, wear a pair of shorts, a nice shirt, and flip flops (easy to take off and put back on) if you can. In the winter, a light jacket, a nice shirt, jeans, and athletic shoes, once again if you can. And another thing, always check what’s in your bag! You may think it’s empty when you get it out from storage, but things can be hidden or accidently put into them over time.
December 21st, 2007 at 11:32 pm
O and I almost forgot, try not to wear a belt if you don’t have to. Belts always trip the metal detectors and sometimes, people forget to take them off, which can make your security experience a big hassle. Recently, some of the TSO’s let you “try again” when you go through the metal detector, which I guess is nice, but remember that is SOME NOT ALL.
December 26th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Hello,
I want to agree with another user’s comment. (and probably offend everyone)
Please take no offense to my comment, but I don’t care about “One Stop to Non-Stop New York” or the Sundance film movies.
As a frequent flier who starts and ends every trip in Atlanta, what I really care about is the huge inconvenience of TSA security.
What I care about more than a web page promoting the oft delayed service in and out of the over crowded airports in New York, is getting a registered traveler service in to Atlanta first, and then more places.
PLEASE DELTA, HELP MAKE THIS HAPPEN…
January 2nd, 2008 at 9:50 am
Many of the points are well taken. As a frequent flyer - I have noted that not all TSA people interpret the rules the same way and you will find inconsistencies in how they execute. Here’s a few tips. If you have a small amount of metal on you, you are OK. I never have to remove my pen or my belt which has a small buckle. You ALWAYS have to remove your shoes, contrary to what Robin said about that in the first post. This will be the case until they get new machines which can detect “stuff” that might be hidden in your shoes. Remove jackets, blazers, coats and put them in a container for Xray, if you don’t they will stop you before going through. Some airports want your shoes on the belt, others don’t mind if you put them in a bin. Some will not care if you put stuff in the bin next to your laptop and others will complain and move it. Best to put the small stuff into a dog food dish, as I call them and NEVER put anything on top of your laptop or that will slow you down (on occasion they let me put my jacket on top but in fairness to the guy running the machine, it clutters his view and slows him down). I have found some screeners are now letting the 3 oz or less liquids go through without being pulled out (I goofed a few times on early morning flights) but don’t test them because they sometimes pull it out and make the bag go back through). Here’s an important point. A container must not exceed the 3 oz. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 6 oz contained that is nearly empty. The container size is the rule, not how much may or may not be in the container. I wear “docker” shoes like boat shoes, slip off easy, no laces, comfortable to travel in. People wearing tie shoes slow things down. My personal biggest frustration isn’t TSA or the screening process but people who are not prepared and don’t know their way around the system. We can’t help that, they are not frequent travelers and during the holidays I have been SO frustrated with what I’ve seen with large families holding up lines because they just don’t know the rules. I wish there were FF security lines at all airports but there just aren’t. Going to the TSA site every once is a while is a good idea because items which were once prohibited are now OK, and they they come up with new items to ban. For instance, lighters are now OK, and so are certain tools under 7″. But that 12 oz bottle of water you try to bring through today is not allowed, whereas before the liquids ban, it was. These TSA people are just trying to do their job and if we follow the rules, we get through quicker and easier. I don’t think it’s going to get better soon, so we just have to make the best of it.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Some good advice here like from royal-jet-service in #11.
hkneller is right, you always have to remove your shoes. I don’t know, a few years ago it was somewhat optional and I started doing it without being asked by the TSA people. So it was no problem when it became mandatory.
I usually put my cell phone and keys into my carry-on either when reaching the end of the line at security or even earlier. My wallet is either in my jacket or my bag so the only possible metallic thing remaining is my belt’s buckle.
And what I always do is arriving early. When I am through airport security and there are still two hours left? Well, I go to a Crown Room and relax there.