No one enjoys waiting long in airport security lines. But there are some ways to make it quick, efficient, and a whole lot less painful. Here are the 11 most useful, traveler-tested hacks for breezing through airport security.
TSA PreCheck
If you’re a U.S. traveler who flies at all in the country, PreCheck is for you. It lets you keep your shoes, belt, and a light jacket on and you don’t have to remove laptops and liquids from your bag.
With this program, you can also skip to shorter, faster lines. On average, it saves about 5–20 minutes, sometimes longer at peak times.
NEXUS: best for U.S.–Canada frequent flyers
Think of this program as PreCheck for people who primarily cross between the U.S. and Canada. It has priority security lines and faster processing at border crossings (land, air, sea).
The best thing is that it already includes TSA PreCheck eligibility. However, it’s only available to U.S. and Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Global Entry: international travelers’ best friend
Waiting in those long, post-flight immigration lines at a U.S. airport is awful. Global Entry puts you in a totally different line. With it, you can use automated kiosks to zip through passport control.
It also gets you quicker customs clearance and TSA PreCheck. Both U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for this program.
CLEAR: skip to the front of the ID check line
CLEAR won’t replace going through security, but it will help you skip to the front of the line. After verifying your identity with fingerprint or face scan, a CLEAR agent will walk you through the security scanners.
It’s best for travelers at crowded airports, busy business travelers, and frequent flyers fed up with the ID check line. You can also combine CLEAR with TSA PreCheck for the ultimate shortcut.
Pack smart, so you don’t have to unpack in line
Airline security personnel like to move quickly. You can help them.
Tips:
- Follow the one 100ml bag per passenger rule for liquids
- Place electronics in an easily accessible spot
- Pack carry-ons with some organization
If everything has a place, you won’t scramble to unpack in line while people behind you sigh loudly.
Pick the right line, so you can zip through security
Not all lines move at the same speed. Avoid lines with family and large groups (takes more time) and pick the business travelers line as they move fast. Traveling midweek, midday? You’ll breeze through. Just studying each line first for 3 seconds makes a difference.
Leverage technology to stay one step ahead
Don’t slow down the line by carrying printed documents or dealing with slow manual checks. Use mobile boarding passes; they are easy to scan. Use airline apps for real-time wait times at security. Some airports even have biometric lanes that reduce wait times even more. The technology is there. Use it.
Avoid common mistakes people make at security
Security wants to move fast, too. But here are things that slow them down (and you):
- Coins and keys in pockets
- Bottles of liquids hidden in the bottom of the bag
- Too many metal jewelry/accessories
- Trying to sneak through an oversized bottle of liquids
Do a quick pocket check before the scanner: phone, wallet, watch, glasses. Take them all out.
Tips for traveling with family & special needs
Children can slow the process down. But there are things you can do to help yourself. Collapse strollers once you’re near the front. Brief kids on the process to prevent them from getting scared and bring snacks for unexpected delays.
If there are travelers with disabilities or special needs, request special assistance in advance. You can also call TSA Cares for extra help going through security smoothly.
Prepare yourself for random additional screenings
Random checks are normal, even if you have PreCheck or Global Entry. Keep calm and listen to instructions. And don’t joke about security topics. Travelers who know what to expect and how to prepare move quickly because they’re cooperative.
Stay chill: the best airport security hack is your mindset
Security agents are people too. They’re just doing their jobs. Keep in mind that a calm traveler moves through security quickly. Prepare yourself before you even reach the bins.
Don’t argue with officers if they ask you to rescan an item. Smile, it’s good for the mood of everyone around you.
The following sources were consulted in the preparation of this article: