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.

• 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.

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. 

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. 

• 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.
  

• 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.