Looking for ways to breeze through airport security? Navigating the maze of security checks at the airport can be one of the most stressful parts of traveling.
With early morning flights, long lines, and strict rules, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But fear not! With a few smart strategies and a good understanding of TSA requirements, you can make your journey through airport security quicker and hassle-free.
So, what are the key steps to ensure a smooth passage?
- Firstly, what essential documents should you have ready?
- Secondly, how can you organize your carry-on items for easy screening?
- Thirdly, what are the do’s and don’ts of airport security etiquette?
Get ready to streamline your airport experience and make your next flight a breeze.
To get through airport security faster: 1) Have your ID, passport, and boarding pass ready. 2) Stay alert in line, and listen to instructions. 3) Remove jackets, empty pockets in advance. 4) Wear socks for shoe removal. 5) Organize liquids in a zip-lock bag. 6) Watch your valuables. 7) Avoid jokes about security-sensitive topics. 8) No photography in security areas. 9) Wear easy-to-remove shoes.
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How to Get Through Airport Security Faster
Airport security can be a nightmare. You’re tired as you probably had to get up before dawn, you have to get to your plane on time and the last thing you want is to be in line for an hour. To make matters worse, everyone else feels the same way!
Knowing how to pass through airport security quickly will help speed things up for you and everyone around you.
There are ways to try and minimize the delays at airport security, at least for your part of the process, by knowing ahead of time what to expect. You need to know what you have to do and what you can and can’t take through airport security or in your checked luggage.
Don’t be one of those annoying people, who we have all been behind at some time or another, who cause delays by having things in their carry on that aren’t allowed or are carried in the wrong way.
I have tried to bring together everything you may need to know in one article to avoid any airport security problems.
You will find information on what you can take in your carry on (and what you cannot), what you can and can’t pack in your checked bags as well as how to get through security quicker in the US by signing up for the TSA Precheck program.
9 Tips for The Fastest Way to Get Through Airport Security
1. Documents
DO: Make sure you have your passport or ID, boarding card and any other documentation you may need to show to save fumbling around in bags to find them.
2. Be alert
DO: When you are in line, waiting your turn to put your items in boxes to go through the x-ray machine, try not to be in a little world of your own. Watch what is happening near the front of the line and listen to any instructions that the security agent may be giving others.
3. Be prepared
DO: Remove your jacket/coat and, as far as possible, empty your pockets while you are in the line. It might not be possible to do this unless you have more than two hands though!
4. Wear socks
DO: Make sure you wear socks as from time to time, as security levels go up or down, it may be that you have to remove your shoes to put them through the x-ray machine. You don’t want to walk around that area in your bare feet!
5. Organize yourself
DO: Have your zip-lock liquids bag containing your liquids handy, not buried in your carry on bag. Also try to put all the items you will need to separate in trays together (tablet, mobile phone etc), in the same pocket of your carry on bag perhaps, so you don’t have to search for them.
Read the section below to know what to put in the tray.
6. Be vigilant
DO: Keep an eye on your tray, or trays, containing your valuables such as your laptop, tablet etc as they go into the x-ray machine. Then try to get through the body metal detector and to the other end of the x-ray machine as quickly as possible, keeping a lookout for your tray. This is often the place where things get stolen – by fellow passengers not the security staff.
7. No silly jokes
DON’T: Whatever you do, DO NOT make stupid jokes about bombs, explosives, guns and similar things. All security organizations, no matter which country they are in, take a dim view of this sort of thing. Not only could such infantile behavior cause delays, including a full security alert, but it could also result in your arrest.
8. No photos
DON’T: Do not take out your camera or phone and start taking photos, be they selfies or otherwise. Photography in this area is not permitted so you may get yourself into some trouble if you do. This restriction makes writing articles like this with photos difficult!
9. Wear easy on/off shoes
DON’T: You may need to remove your shoes so they can be x-rayed so do not wear shoes that take a long time to take off and put back on again. Those knee-length lace-up boots might look really stylish but will take an age to remove and replace.
What Items Can You Take Through Airport Security?
One of the frequent things that can slow your progress through the security process, and that of those behind you, is if you don’t know what you can and can’t take in your carry on bags.
You can cause big delays if the security officers have to go through your bags to find something that has been seen by the x-ray operator which is not allowed.
One of the most important airport security rules is the rule applied to carrying liquids. And they do not have to be runny substances to be classed as liquids under these rules as pastes and gels are also considered liquids (toothpaste is classed as a liquid for example).
You can read the full rules in my TSA Liquids Article.
It is difficult to say in a few words what is and isn’t allowed. With most categories there are exceptions. So if you intend to take any of the following with you then I suggest you read the full article in the link to check.
| ITEM | LINK TO ARTICLE |
| Deodorant, antiperspirant | Can I Bring Deodorant On A Plane? |
| Makeup | Can you bring makeup on a plane in hand luggage? |
| Lighter | Can you take a lighter on a plane? |
| Sharp items | Can you bring tweezers on a plane? Or scissors, nail clippers, pens? |
| Electric toothbrushes, toothpaste | Can you take an electric toothbrush in hand luggage? |
| Phone chargers, battery banks | Can you take phone chargers in hand luggage? |
| Lithium batteries | Can you take lithium batteries on a plane? |
| Umbrellas | Can you take an umbrella on a plane? |
| Hair straighteners, hair dryers | Can you bring hair straighteners in carry on bag? |
| Vape/E-cigarettes | Can you take e-cigarettes on a plane? Can you vape on a plane? |
| Food | Are you allowed to take food in your carry on? |
| Razor | Can you take a razor in hand luggage? |
| General | 31 things you are not allowed in hand luggage |
| What is not allowed in checked luggage? | |
| Will aerosol cans explode in checked luggage on planes? |
What to Put in Tray at Airport Security
When you’re going through airport security, it’s important to know what items you need to put in the tray. This will help make the process smoother and faster for you and your fellow travelers. Here’s a quick rundown of what you should put in the tray:
- Your carry-on bag: You’ll need to put your bag in the tray so that it can be scanned by the X-ray machine. This includes any small bags or purses that you’re carrying with you.
- Your personal items: Any personal items that you’re carrying with you, such as your phone, wallet, and keys, should also go in the tray. This will ensure that they’re scanned separately from your bag and that they don’t get lost or damaged during the screening process.
- Your liquids: If you’re carrying any liquids or gels in your carry-on bag, you’ll need to take them out and put them in a clear, plastic, quart-sized bag. This includes items like shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste. The bag should be placed in the tray so that it can be scanned separately.
- Your jacket or coat: If you’re wearing a jacket or coat, you’ll need to take it off and put it in the tray. This will ensure that it’s scanned separately and that any items in the pockets are visible to the TSA agents.
- Your shoes: Depending on the airport and the security checkpoint, you may be asked to remove your shoes and put them in the tray. This is usually only required for certain types of shoes, such as boots or those with a thick sole.
- Your belt: More often than not, if you are wearing a belt, you will have to remove it and place it in the tray.
By following these guidelines and putting the right items in the tray, you’ll help make the security screening process faster and more efficient. Safe travels!
Do You Have to Take Off Jewelry at Airport Security?
In most cases, you do not need to remove any jewelry when you go through the security checkpoint at the airport.
The possible exceptions to this might be if you have some large chunky metal jewelry such as a necklace or a bracelet or perhaps a large watch. Things like rings, earrings and body jewelry can normally remain on you.
Will Metal Implants in Your Body Set Off the Security Alarms?
I have first-hand experience of this as I have lots of metalwork in my right arm which was left in after surgery to repair my badly broken arm and elbow.
I was so disappointed the first time I went through airport security that I didn’t set off the alarms. I felt cheated!
Although I haven’t set them off I understand from others that large implants could potentially set them off, such as a hip or knee replacement. If you have these then according to tsa.gov you should inform the security officer.
If you have a pacemaker then you should also advise the security officer.
Read my full article on flying with implants.
TSA Precheck
If you travel frequently you can apply to join the TSA Precheck program which makes passing through airport security easier and quicker.
Related questions
When can you go through security at an airport?
In general, you can go through airport security whenever you want. In practice, since you will probably aim to be at the airport 2-3 hours before your flight, then you can go through as soon as you have checked in your bags (if you have any) and have your boarding pass. Some airports will only allow passengers to go through within 3 hours of the scheduled departure time.
Do you need your boarding pass to go through security?
Yes, only passengers with a boarding pass are allowed to go through airport security, which makes sense of course. So make sure you have yours to hand. If friends or family are with you to say goodbye then they will have to do this just before you enter the security area.
Can you go through airport security without a ticket?
You cannot go through airport security without a ticket or even with just a ticket. You need to have checked in and have a boarding pass (either at the airport or online) to pass through the security checkpoint which will be checked before you go through.
Can I go straight to security with mobile boarding pass?
These days a boarding card that you have downloaded to your cellphone is becoming the norm. Older people, like me, still prefer to have a back-up printed out in case of problems. If you have your boarding card on your phone then make sure that the battery has sufficient charge so you can show it. If your phone dies before you do then you are rather stuck.
Can I go straight to security with only hand luggage?
Yes you can, provided you have checked in online and have your boarding card either on your mobile device or you have printed it out. This is one of the big benefits of traveling with carry on only these days.
Further reading
Homeland Security has recently published a helpful article about TSA Precheck and other airport security tips – Speed through Airport Security: Your Complete Guide to TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and more
I have been traveling around the world by air since the early 70s and living overseas too. I worked for British Airways for a number of years and I am also a private pilot. About Me
