We all want our experience at TSA checkpoints to go quickly and smoothly. TSA agents want that, too, but people often enter the security line unprepared, leading to delays and frustration. With these five simple tips you can learn how to get through security at the airport faster and avoid the stress and hassle of trying to clear a busy TSA checkpoint.
Tip 1: How Early Should You Arrive at the Airport?
Generally, you should be at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours for international flights. You may not need all this time, but arriving early provides a buffer in case of delays, whether you spend longer than expected finding parking, run into long security lines, or experience other issues. The TSA offers the helpful MyTSA app, which provides approximate airport security wait times and helps you decide how early you should be at the airport.
How early can you go through security for a flight?
Surprisingly, you can go through security up to 24 hours before your flight’s departure time, as long as you have your boarding pass and photo ID or passport. If you think you’re likely to encounter long security lines, such as during holiday season, you can arrive earlier than the usual recommended times to beat the rush.
Tip 2: What Can You Take through Security?
It’s upsetting when you have an item confiscated by the TSA. It can also be time-consuming, as you have to open your carry-on to retrieve the item, and heartbreaking if it’s something you value.
That’s why knowing what the TSA will and will not allow on the plane is essential. You need to know how many ounces of a liquid, gel, or paste they’ll allow. Whether your nail clippers will pass muster. And whether you can wear a jacket or belt through the scanner.
If you're unsure whether to pack an item in carry-on, checked luggage, or not at all, check out the TSA’s What Can I Bring Page, which offers a comprehensive list of items that are allowed or prohibited.
Tip 3: Understand the 3-1-1 Rule
The 3-1-1 rule limits the amount of liquids, gels, creams, aerosols, and pastes you can bring as carry-on. All such items must be in a quart-sized bag in individual 3.4-ounce containers. While there’s no official TSA-approved toiletry bag, a clear toiletry bag makes a suitable container for carry-on liquids. Pack it at the top of your carry-on to make the inspection go faster.
Tip 4: Understand the Security Process
You’ll get through security screening faster if you know what’s expected of you in advance. When you reach the X-ray machines, take the following steps:
- Remove your clear 3-1-1 liquids bag and place it in the bin with your carry-on or personal item.
- Check to make sure your pockets are empty.
- Remove your shoes, jacket, and belt and place them directly on the X-ray belt.
- Remove all electronics larger than a cell phone from your bag. Place these items in a separate bin from your bag. This includes laptops, tablets, e-readers, and handheld electronic games.
- Proceed through X-ray screening when promoted by the TSA agent.
- Once through the X-ray, collect your belongings and move as far to the end of the belt as you can to make room for the next person.
- Double-check you're not missing anything.
Tip 5: Apply for TSA Precheck
TSA PreCheck helps you streamline the security process and get to your flight faster. Apply for TSA Precheck before you travel, and once approved for the program, you can go through the special PreCheck line; you don’t have to remove your shoes or have your bag scanned, and you can skip the long TSA lines everyone else is standing in. Once approved, your TSA Precheck membership is good for five years.
How do you keep moving through TSA security quickly? What do you do to avoid delays and standing around? Share your secrets on our Facebook page, or on our Twitter stream. You can also find us on our Instagram page at @TravelproIntl.
