15 Tips to Whisk Through Airport Security
You are making agony almost tolerable! That is what these tips will do to your air travel. I have been on several flights lately, and if you've been through airport security checks, you know that each country and airport in the same region have different policies.
One airport may be very strict about putting toiletry bottles (100 ml or less) in clear plastic bags that you can then put in the tray. Others could care less. How close you are to the end of the security shift may be even more important than local rules or supervisor biases.
One airport may be very strict about putting toiletry bottles (100 ml or less) in clear plastic bags that you can then put in the tray. Others could care less. How close you are to the end of the security shift may be even more important than local rules or supervisor biases.
Angkor Air. Source: aesta1
Luck Sometimes Work in Airport Security
I was lucky on a recent trip. When the airport security who went through my bag saw my toiletries spread inside my carry-on, he got a plastic bag and just put them all in for me. In the previous airport in this multi-plane flight, security did not bother, although the toiletries needed to be ziplocked.
The primary factor is the randomness, arbitrariness, and mood of the terminator wannabees. Another family member was not so lucky. The lump taking revenge on those who could afford to travel made him buy the plastic bag where he could display his toiletries accordingly. Methinks, the local ziplock wallah was undoubtedly a cousin!
I was lucky on a recent trip. When the airport security who went through my bag saw my toiletries spread inside my carry-on, he got a plastic bag and just put them all in for me. In the previous airport in this multi-plane flight, security did not bother, although the toiletries needed to be ziplocked.
The primary factor is the randomness, arbitrariness, and mood of the terminator wannabees. Another family member was not so lucky. The lump taking revenge on those who could afford to travel made him buy the plastic bag where he could display his toiletries accordingly. Methinks, the local ziplock wallah was undoubtedly a cousin!
What a hassle airport security has become, especially for those who have to travel for work and go through security checks often. However, in light of the recent Brussels incident, there is a call to tighten security even more.
In some countries, they have programs where frequent travelers go through intensive personal security checks, and once they get their cards for passing the process, they go through security fast lanes. Only a few countries offer this program.
In some countries, they have programs where frequent travelers go through intensive personal security checks, and once they get their cards for passing the process, they go through security fast lanes. Only a few countries offer this program.
Airport Check-In. Source: aesta1
A Swift Way Through Airport Security?
There is, of course, a swift way through security in some airports. It may be related to the "flagship "airline in a national capital airport.
From my experience, it only happens in this. Easy. Purchase a first-class ticket, especially one with your suite or an executive key (when airlines don't separate first and business, they call the top-class Executive).
Here's another. Enroll in Global Entry Program, so you go through the fast track. This program is for low-risk travelers for entry into the U.S. Before your trip, or if you are constantly traveling, it is best to enroll in this program.
There is, of course, a swift way through security in some airports. It may be related to the "flagship "airline in a national capital airport.
From my experience, it only happens in this. Easy. Purchase a first-class ticket, especially one with your suite or an executive key (when airlines don't separate first and business, they call the top-class Executive).
Here's another. Enroll in Global Entry Program, so you go through the fast track. This program is for low-risk travelers for entry into the U.S. Before your trip, or if you are constantly traveling, it is best to enroll in this program.
In some airports and only with some airlines, first-class passengers are escorted through a particular line and whisked through immigration and customs. Singapore Airlines does this for their first-class passengers when they arrive at Changi Airport and Thai Airways in Bangkok.
Although a bit unpleasant for your wallet unless your company pays or you have a padded allowance from your trust fund, this is very pleasant. For those lined up with cattle class tickets, this is a spark plug to anger as it suggests that potential terrorists cannot afford expensive airline tickets!
Although a bit unpleasant for your wallet unless your company pays or you have a padded allowance from your trust fund, this is very pleasant. For those lined up with cattle class tickets, this is a spark plug to anger as it suggests that potential terrorists cannot afford expensive airline tickets!
For cattle class, how do you get through security with less hassle?
When you are like the rest of us cattle-class refugees, there are a few ways of helping you get through airport security faster and with less stress. Stress-free? Not, but at least, with less stress, meaning your bags will not be flagged, you don't have to go through the pats or the special electronic wave-through, nor give up your precious Leatherman, Victorinox knives, German-made nail cutters or Japanese scissors. So, below are some things you can do:
When you are like the rest of us cattle-class refugees, there are a few ways of helping you get through airport security faster and with less stress. Stress-free? Not, but at least, with less stress, meaning your bags will not be flagged, you don't have to go through the pats or the special electronic wave-through, nor give up your precious Leatherman, Victorinox knives, German-made nail cutters or Japanese scissors. So, below are some things you can do:
Things You Can Do to Wade Through Airport Security Faster
1. Go to the website of the airline and airport you are flying with. They often have their guidelines for hand-carried items and follow these to the letter.
2. Often, you have to take off your boots, but open shoes go through. Not all the time, though. You sometimes take off whatever shoes you wear, but in other cases, you don't. Wear socks if you want to avoid walking barefoot on airport floors.
3. As you line up, instructions are often posted on how Security wants you to organize your things and yourself, such as what to place in the trays and what clothes to take off.
4. Go early for your flight to give yourself enough time to go through Security. Ensure you have your boarding pass and other documents, such as your passport, so you can show them when asked.
5. Be attentive. Do not stare at security mouth-breathers or knuckle-walkers.
6. Watch other people ahead of you to make it faster and easier for the security people. It is not a fun job, though some of them can be nasty, true. I have my share of getting angry. However, like correctional officers, they are the authority for this brief moment and are always searching for a way to show you their power.
7. Keep yourself in control and do what they ask. Go through your pockets. Make sure you clean them thoroughly.
Once, my husband and I went through a security check, and I thought he was following, so I just went to greet friends waiting for us. After several minutes, my husband had not yet come out.
Almost an hour later, there was still no husband. As it happened, the wand rang when he went through, so they searched him, but when they made him go through the check, it rang again. They vacuumed him with pockets out, but he passed through with bells ringing, so he was nudged, prodded, and threatened with a " full cheek check."
Finally, one searcher found a tiny bit of aluminum foil from a mint that my husband had left in his pocket. Later, he needed clarification on whether the security doof or the sniffer dog turned up the trash as they seemed similar, except that the sniffers had refined manners. So watch out for small scraps to avoid an "interesting" experience.
8. Remember not to buy a bottle of wine or other liquid over 100ml at duty-free when you have a stop-over in another airport and must go through Security once more to board the next plane.
I made this mistake when boarding a plane in Vancouver, Canada. I bought a bottle of iced wine for a friend in Cambodia. But my plane was not going straight to Cambodia, and we stopped in Singapore and went through Security. I had to let go of that bottle even though I bought it duty-free in Vancouver. One passenger in front of me opened his wine bottle and emptied it in the waste can.
I only purchase in duty-free shops if I am on a direct flight. So, before you let that glossy duty-free airline magazine tempt you, check your itinerary carefully.
9. What about those computers/iPads, phones, and their accompanying accouterments/accessories and power supplies that take over our carry-on luggage? This year, I got a MacAir, and it is much lighter. I can put this in my carry-on purse and take it out quickly. Some airports no longer ask to put iPads and phones on trays, only computers.
10. Ensure you meet all the country requirements, such as passports, visas, and customs regulations. Because of the pandemic, health documents as well. If your destination requires a permit, get this before you fly. Then, you don't line up to get one when you arrive. This recommendation is only convenient if your destination has an embassy in your area.
Always bring extra pictures, photocopies of your travel documents, and a marriage certificate, especially if you have different family names or are staying longer and, if you are bringing children, letters from the assorted parents with their permission to travel.
11. Make sure you have a transit visa in places requiring this, so check your itinerary. The US involves transit visas, so if you want to avoid the hassle, avoid the US if there is any possible alternative.
12. Alcohol and cigarettes have limits and differ from country to country. The cash you can take out of a country has limitations as well.
13. But hold on. Don't be hasty. In some countries, there is now a program in place to facilitate entry for those who apply and get approved. Once you are approved, you can go through the fast lane. There is hope for those who have to go through Security frequently.
14. Think also about what you wear. Think wireless, Ladies, so you don't ring and must go through pats. If you must bring all those favorite accessories, take them in your purse and wear them after going through Security.
15. Wear slip-on shoes and beltless pants.
Indeed, there are so many things to think about now before you can take that flight.
But the less you carry with you, the better able you are to deal with the airport mafia and the faster you get through.
Think of what fits in one tray for X-ray, in one carry-on that you can easily pop on your shoulder rather than a bag that takes two men and a dog to put up in the plane's luggage bin. Less is faster.
1. Go to the website of the airline and airport you are flying with. They often have their guidelines for hand-carried items and follow these to the letter.
2. Often, you have to take off your boots, but open shoes go through. Not all the time, though. You sometimes take off whatever shoes you wear, but in other cases, you don't. Wear socks if you want to avoid walking barefoot on airport floors.
3. As you line up, instructions are often posted on how Security wants you to organize your things and yourself, such as what to place in the trays and what clothes to take off.
4. Go early for your flight to give yourself enough time to go through Security. Ensure you have your boarding pass and other documents, such as your passport, so you can show them when asked.
5. Be attentive. Do not stare at security mouth-breathers or knuckle-walkers.
6. Watch other people ahead of you to make it faster and easier for the security people. It is not a fun job, though some of them can be nasty, true. I have my share of getting angry. However, like correctional officers, they are the authority for this brief moment and are always searching for a way to show you their power.
7. Keep yourself in control and do what they ask. Go through your pockets. Make sure you clean them thoroughly.
Once, my husband and I went through a security check, and I thought he was following, so I just went to greet friends waiting for us. After several minutes, my husband had not yet come out.
Almost an hour later, there was still no husband. As it happened, the wand rang when he went through, so they searched him, but when they made him go through the check, it rang again. They vacuumed him with pockets out, but he passed through with bells ringing, so he was nudged, prodded, and threatened with a " full cheek check."
Finally, one searcher found a tiny bit of aluminum foil from a mint that my husband had left in his pocket. Later, he needed clarification on whether the security doof or the sniffer dog turned up the trash as they seemed similar, except that the sniffers had refined manners. So watch out for small scraps to avoid an "interesting" experience.
8. Remember not to buy a bottle of wine or other liquid over 100ml at duty-free when you have a stop-over in another airport and must go through Security once more to board the next plane.
I made this mistake when boarding a plane in Vancouver, Canada. I bought a bottle of iced wine for a friend in Cambodia. But my plane was not going straight to Cambodia, and we stopped in Singapore and went through Security. I had to let go of that bottle even though I bought it duty-free in Vancouver. One passenger in front of me opened his wine bottle and emptied it in the waste can.
I only purchase in duty-free shops if I am on a direct flight. So, before you let that glossy duty-free airline magazine tempt you, check your itinerary carefully.
9. What about those computers/iPads, phones, and their accompanying accouterments/accessories and power supplies that take over our carry-on luggage? This year, I got a MacAir, and it is much lighter. I can put this in my carry-on purse and take it out quickly. Some airports no longer ask to put iPads and phones on trays, only computers.
10. Ensure you meet all the country requirements, such as passports, visas, and customs regulations. Because of the pandemic, health documents as well. If your destination requires a permit, get this before you fly. Then, you don't line up to get one when you arrive. This recommendation is only convenient if your destination has an embassy in your area.
Always bring extra pictures, photocopies of your travel documents, and a marriage certificate, especially if you have different family names or are staying longer and, if you are bringing children, letters from the assorted parents with their permission to travel.
11. Make sure you have a transit visa in places requiring this, so check your itinerary. The US involves transit visas, so if you want to avoid the hassle, avoid the US if there is any possible alternative.
12. Alcohol and cigarettes have limits and differ from country to country. The cash you can take out of a country has limitations as well.
13. But hold on. Don't be hasty. In some countries, there is now a program in place to facilitate entry for those who apply and get approved. Once you are approved, you can go through the fast lane. There is hope for those who have to go through Security frequently.
14. Think also about what you wear. Think wireless, Ladies, so you don't ring and must go through pats. If you must bring all those favorite accessories, take them in your purse and wear them after going through Security.
15. Wear slip-on shoes and beltless pants.
Indeed, there are so many things to think about now before you can take that flight.
But the less you carry with you, the better able you are to deal with the airport mafia and the faster you get through.
Think of what fits in one tray for X-ray, in one carry-on that you can easily pop on your shoulder rather than a bag that takes two men and a dog to put up in the plane's luggage bin. Less is faster.
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