We all know that dealing with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) can be a hassle. But the security was put in place for the greater good of everyone else at the airport and onboard your flight. It’s a routine that you’ll have to deal with.
The TSA folks are actually quite fast at what they do. It is us, the customers, who are slow and forgetful with our belongings. We fumble with our items and cause the metal detector to go off, thus, slowing down the line for everyone.
Here’s a few tips to speed up your time at the TSA line:
- 1. Have that passport, flight ticket, and license ready! They always ask you before you get in line.
- 2. Take off your shoes or at least untie them while you’re inline. Some may disagree and would rather keep them on. But you’re going to have to take them off in the end anyways.
- 3. Remove the belt! If it’s not going to fall off while you have your hands up in the air in the metal detector, it surely won’t fall off while you’re in line. At the very least, unbuckle it.
- 4. Unzip the major pockets on your backpack. Cause you’ll need to pull out that DSLR, or laptop when you’re up. I also take my laptop out of the sleeve since that is one of the rules.
- 5. Remove everything out of your pocket prior to chucking them into that nice gray bucket. I actually carry a zip-lock bag and place all my belongings into the bag. Passport, wallet, keys, cellphone, flight tickets, watch, etc. Tiny pocket materials all in one bag, good, done, chuck. Besides, you can reuse the zip-lock bag for later travel use.
Even though you might look a little weird, taking off your shoes, belt, pull things out of your wallet and around your neck, this will shave off a minute or two of your time and for everyone else while crossing TSA checkpoint.
If you’re curious about the history of TSA, you can look up the TSA’s wiki here.
If you like to know more about the official rules and regulations prior to visiting the airport, you can look it up at from the official TSA site.
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