10+ Airport Tricks to Travel Safer and Easier

See that person at the airport checkpoint? They're getting scrutinized by security, keeping everyone else waiting in the line. Yeah, getting through the screening seems like it takes forever, especially with those strict and confusing rules. But there are tips to make it faster. You want to know them? Well then, pull up a seat. Oh, you're sitting already? Way to anticipate, pal! 1. Don't travel with coffee. Most people bring magnets or keychains from their journey. But if your type of souvenir is packs of java, don't expect to go through the security in the blink of an eye. Usually, this love for coffee results in TSA workers searching through your bags. And it doesn't matter if you travel with a carry-on or checked baggage. Apparently, the strong smell of coffee might be used to hide the smell of suspicious substances. But not only coffee can get you into trouble. 2. Avoid packing cheese. Many countries just call for taking a giant wheel of cheese back home from holidays. And who doesn't like cheese? But it's gonna be the reason for a fuss during the x-ray monitoring. Because cheese, as well as all other organic products like meat, looks orange on the screen, which raises suspicions. 3. Pack smart. It's better to pack the bare minimum if you really want to make it quickly through the security check. If that's not an option for you, then don't put things on the bottom of your carry-on if you know you'll have to take them out for separate screening. Such things usually include electronics and the bag with liquids. However, security can ask you to remove even snacks or books from your carry-on to make sure an overstuffed bag is safe. So it's better to place those things in a side pocket or at the top of your bag for easy reach. 4. Choose the right outfit. Wearing slip-on shoes is your best bet. No one wants to be that person who makes everyone wait in line while they're fumbling with their shoelaces when asked to take off their footwear. I've been there. Yeah, the poor schmuck with the shoelaces. As for clothes, put on something simple without many pockets or a lot of metal decorations. Also, change your belt for one with a plastic buckle. And try to minimize the number of accessories such as jewelry, watches, and hairpins. 5. Don't make a fancy hairdo. Guys, more on airport fashion. If you have long hair, just snatch it in a simple ponytail or keep it loose. Otherwise, you set yourself up for an additional inspection from security. Anything from carefully braided hair to an elaborate updo will keep you at the checkpoint longer. Piled up hair can look like a great style choice for you. But for TSA agents, it looks like a place where something might be hidden. Like a Cornish game hen, or worse. 6. Keep in mind the 3-1-1 rule. You can only bring 3.4 ounces or smaller containers on board in your carry-on. But here's a little catch. All those containers must fit in one quart-sized Ziploc bag. This is the so-called 3-1-1 rule, which many airports follow around the world. Best check the website of your airline for more info on carry-on though. Notice that toothpaste, as well as various face and body creams, are considered liquids. All other containers that are larger than 3.4 ounces, regardless of the actual amount inside, must be packed in checked baggage. 7. Leave your spare change at home. Okay, here's a bit of statistics for you. The estimated amount of change U.S. travelers collectively left behind at security checkpoints in 2018 was somewhere around 1 million dollars. So, to save your money and time during the security check, simply leave your pocket change at home. This way, you'll have to put less stuff in plastic bins when you go through the scanners, and won't make others wait while you're fishing for your dimes in that bin. Speaking of money... 8. Don't bring a lot of cash. If you travel abroad, it seems logical to exchange money for the currency of the country you're going to at the best rate. Your travel agent might even recommend this. But carrying anything in bulk will inevitably make you suspicious for airport security. They most probably are going to ask you questions about why you need so much cash, and where it came from. 9. Weigh your bags. No, not wave at your bags. Either do it at home or before heading out to the airport, or use the scales that many terminals have in front of the check-in areas to make sure your baggage isn't overweight. And even if it happens to be a bit heavier than it's supposed to be, then you'll have some time to do any swapping between your bags before it's your turn to show up at the check-in counter. 10. No snow globes in a carry-on. Aw, man! Such an innocent thing can be considered a possible security threat. Remember that 3-1-1 rule? Well, your pretty treasure contains more than an allowed amount of liquid, so pack it carefully in your checked bags. 11. Avoid traveling at peak times. By the way, this is not the three hours between 5 and 8 when travelers tend to peak around the corner at unsuspecting passengers. It's the other kind of peak. No, not the mountain kind either. Anyway, you can't avoid it altogether, but if the situation allows, pick your flight wisely to save yourself from huge lines at checkpoints. Airports are usually overcrowded during the holiday season or special sporting events. Also, try to avoid booking your flight on Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m., since this is the time when some travelers are returning home from business trips and others are flying out of town for leisure. 12. Look for far away checkpoints. People tend to choose the closest security line to them. If that line turns out to be super crowded, just look around after ID and ticket check. You may see another checkpoint with much fewer people. Some checkpoints at the airport are situated at the far edges of the terminal, and that's why passengers fail to notice them. 13. Use TSA PreCheck. Applying for TSA PreCheck can be a great time saver for traveling in and out of the U.S. Being a member of this program has some great perks. First, getting through security and passport control happens faster. If you're a PreCheck traveler, you won't have to take off your shoes or remove a belt. And forget about placing your stuff like liquids and laptops in special bins. If you weren't flying to or from the U.S., then you can look up similar services available in your country. 14. Fly premium class. Of course, not everybody can afford it. But if you travel a lot for business, for example, and in your situation time is money, then you should consider this option. You'll not only get an enhanced in-flight experience with more comfortable seats and taste your food, but also will be whisked away to your business or first-class seat faster. Premium class passengers can expect expedited security lane access, which makes check-in go more smoothly. 15. Keep your documents close and your enemies closer. Oops, sorry, that's from the Godfather. No need to waste your time by digging through your bag searching for your papers when you reach the check-in desk. You'll have to show your ID and ticket a few times going through airport security. So it's better to have them ready in an easily accessible spot like an exterior pocket or simply in your hand. Also, keeping them in hand is a great way to avoid forgetting them at home or in your car. 16. Check-in online. Most airlines now have this option which can save you lots of time. You can also print your boarding pass in advance. If you're someone who usually travels only with a carry-on, checking in online will make your way through security checkpoints faster and easier. But if you have bags that must be checked, then check-in agents will reissue another boarding pass for you at the airport. And finally, remember, leave the spare change, take the cannoli. If you know what that line's about, leave me a comment.