As an aviation journalist, I pass through a lot of airport security checkpoints, and I’ve developed a whole suite of tricks to make it as easy and stress-free an experience as possible.
Put as many items in the bins as possible. Image by Digital Vision/Getty Images
First off, prepare in advance: read up on what the local regulations are at your departure airport. Most of the time you won’t be able to take liquids, gels, pastes or creams with you, but search the web for “security checks _____ airport” or even “_____ country”, and there’ll be some useful info: there’s no liquid restriction inside New Zealand and some other countries, for example.
Obviously, don’t try to take through anything not allowed. I’m always surprised at the number of people who I see turning up to checkpoints with full bottles of shampoo and who are simply shocked that they can’t take them on a plane.
Don’t try to bring anything that isn’t allowed. Image by Erik Isakson/Getty Images
Next up: figure out where you’re going to stow all the things you’ll need to take out of your pockets and off your person. You don’t want valuables rattling around in the gross bins getting dirty and tempting a pickpocket, and you want an easy-on, easy-off routine so you’re not fumbling with your belongings.
The ideal place is an internal compartment of your carry-on bag that opens and closes easily enough for you to pop them inside when approaching the screening area, but that isn’t easy for someone nefarious to rifle through. If you’re carrying a bag with a removable sleeve for laptop or tablet, this is the perfect spot: out comes the laptop and in goes all your stuff.
If you have kids who haven’t flown recently (or at all), think about playing a game of airport security with them at home so they know what to expect and don’t freak out when you have to put Mr Cuddles or their favourite blanket through the scanner. It feels a little dystopian but it works a treat.
Security area at Zaventem airport, Brussels. Image by © Santiago Urquijo/Getty Images
Speaking of scanners, my first set of tricks is to minimise the amount of metal on my person when passing through a metal detector. Do you have a pair of glasses with sturdy metal frames? If so, do you have a lighter or plastic pair for travelling, or can you pop your glasses in a case in your bag? Boots, hiking shoes, and even some more casual shoes can sometimes have metal structure in the shank, which can set off the alarm. Watches, big metal belt buckles or button-down jeans with shiny rivets or clothes with metal zippers also add up to the beep that means you just lost the speedy security game.
The second set of tricks is for those body-scanning machines, and it’s to reduce the amount of clothing they have to get through to see your body. If they can’t see through, they flag up an “anomaly” and send you to the pat-down. Womp womp.
Avoid wearing anything that’s very pleated, rolled or complex in its design, or any bangles, bracelets or hair accessories. The machines and their software were designed by engineers and not fashionistas, and their capacities are limited.
Pop as much of your clothing and accessories as you can in the bin to reduce layers, unroll any rolledup sleeves, and make sure you don’t have anything at all in your pockets — it’s not just metal for these machines, it’s anything all the way down to tissues or paper. Oh, and always wear socks, or at least carry a pair with you. You don’t want to have to slip out of your shoes onto the dirty floor if security requires it or if you set off the alarms.
Got any super tips of your own? Tell me about them! Tell me on Twitter or on Instagram: I’m @thatjohn!
John Walton is an international aviation journalist, follow him @thatjohn.
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