Travel Tips

As the Christmas travel season goes into full swing, here are some tips from the Airline Industry through their blog, Travelhacker.com.  Its all common sense, but due to the fact that most seasoned travelers are smart enough not to take a plane between December 15 and January 5, the average traveler has little experience and doesn't know the "ropes". My advice is that if you must travel, simply let out a deep breath, lower your shoulders, and go with the flow.

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, airport security is a fact of life. You’d probably rather not deal with it, but it doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience. The key is to know the rules and be prepared before you get there. Follow these guidelines for a stress-free screening experience the next time you take to the skies.

• Take an early flight

  Early birds enjoy more than fewer flight delays: they get to be first in line at security. Monday mornings are even better, as lines are generally populated with ultra-efficient business travelers who know what they’re doing. Some airport security screenings open as early as 4 AM.

• Keep your paperwork up to date

  Have you forgotten to renew your driver’s license? I can tell you from personal experience that if that’s the case, you’d better be prepared for a second screening. Anyone without a valid government ID will be subject to extra security screenings that take longer and are more invasive. This generally means they’ll look through your carry on and have you go through a physical pat-down or puff test.

• Check wait times before you leave

  If you take a look at TSA’s average wait estimates, you’ll be able to figure out a good time to get to the airport. As an added bonus, you may even be clued in to smaller security checkpoints that are less utilized and therefore less crowded.

• Become a Registered Traveler

  Under the Registered Traveler program, you can pay a fee and have your background checked to get registered. You’ll then get credentials that give you access to reserved security lanes and shorter lines. Registered Travelers are also allowed to keep coats and shoes on as well as leave laptops in their bags. However, this program has been criticized for privacy problems, specifically the extent of information that is collected about a traveler.

• Be prepared

  This is simple: pay attention and be ready to go through security. If you’re still on the phone when you get to the metal detector, you’re going to cause problems for everyone, including yourself. Empty your pockets into your carry on, hang up your phone, and get your ID and boarding pass out for inspection.

• Leave your box cutters at home

  Sharp objects like box cutters, ice picks, and swords are all on the TSA’s prohibited list. Even if you only brought the item by accident, it will get confiscated and you’ll be treated with extreme suspicion at best. Other items that are regarded similarly are baseball bats, guns, ammunition, and tools like hammers and crowbars. If you absolutely must have one of these items, check to see if you can put it in your checked luggage, as many items are permitted this way.

• Don’t bring explosives, either

  This should go without saying, but items like hand grenades and lighter fluid are a no-go. Basically, anything that can blow up or create a fire. So if you’re thinking about smuggling fireworks back from China, think again. These items can’t even be checked.

• Take your shoes off

  Yes, it’s a little gross and somewhat humiliating, but taking your shoes off is just part of the process now. Don’t raise a stink about it, either: the screeners don’t make the policy and they can’t do anything about it but enforce the rules. Complaining just makes you look suspicious. Wear socks or protective booties to create a barrier between you and the floor if you have a problem with the germs.

• Take off your belt and large jewelry while you’re at it

  This is old-school airport security advice, but it’s still important. Don’t be the person who has to walk through the metal detector five times, taking off one item at a time until you make it through. Make it easier on yourself, your screeners, and fellow passengers by removing items that will probably set off the metal detector. This includes belts, watches, cuff links, and keys. If you have body jewelry, consider taking it off before you even get to the airport. Otherwise, you may be subject to a pat-down inspection, or have to get out of line to remove the items in private.

• Don’t stuff your carry on

  If you end up going through a second screening, your carry on will be inspected. So if you’ve got it stuffed to the gills, it’s going to be a pain to get everything out and back in again. Pack lighter and consider placing items in plastic bags so they’re easier to handle and organize.

• Put liquids and gels in a baggie

  Certainly you’ve heard of this by now, but passengers are required to limit liquids and gels to containers that are three ounces or smaller. These items must be placed in a quart size plastic bag with a zip top, and you can only use one. Be sure to keep it out and place it separate from your other items when going through screening. Many airports offer bags outside of their checkpoints, but it’s generally easier to take care of this step before you leave home. Otherwise, you may find yourself scrambling through your bag at the last minute.

• Mind your electronics

  Take your laptop, camera, DVD player, and other electronics out of your bag and put them in a bin to make it easier for agents to inspect them. It also pays to keep everything on, especially laptops, in case the screener needs you to verify that it’s working. You don’t want to have to wait for things to get booted up.

• Don’t be a smartass

  Joking about having a bomb or gun might seem like a funny way to pass wait times, but doing so will make things very serious very fast. Security will be all over you, as they’re trained to zero in on these words. You’ll even be subject to prison time and/or a fine. Stick to jokes about cattle or sardines instead.

• Be nice

  Screeners are people too, and they’re working to keep you safe. Be polite and cooperative, and you just might have a more pleasant airport security experience. There’s no reason to be a jerk to the people that protect you.