{"id":179483,"date":"2022-09-12T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-12T18:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.www.smartertravel.com\/?p=179483"},"modified":"2022-09-15T10:52:16","modified_gmt":"2022-09-15T14:52:16","slug":"airport-security-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smartertravel.com\/airport-security-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Things Not to Do at Airport Security"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Airport security is a nuisance, but it\u2019s one travelers must accept if they wish to be able to fly around the world safely. The best you can hope for is to get through security<\/a> as quickly and painlessly as possible. That means being prepared and avoiding airport security mistakes that will slow you and everyone else down, and maybe even get you into trouble with the TSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The following 10 suggestions for what not to do at airport security will make you a savvier flyer, capable of breezing through the checkpoint like a pro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t bring more than 3.4 ounces (or 100 milliliters) of any liquid.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"People<\/a>
Mihail | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This may be obvious to frequent flyers, but even though the so-called 3-1-1 rule<\/a> went into effect back in 2006, inexperienced travelers still show up with full-sized bottles of shampoo, water, and other liquids in their carry-on bags. Each time this happens, a TSA agent has to pull the bag off the security belt, call the passenger over, search the bag, scold the passenger, and throw the bottle out, thus slowing the security line down\u2014and earning the offender annoyed head shakes from those stuck waiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few exceptions to this rule, including medications, breast milk, and baby formula. (A temporary rule<\/a> is allowing passengers to bring up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer in a carry-on during the pandemic.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, if you\u2019re flying to the United States via a connecting flight from overseas, you may carry full-size duty-free liquids as long as they\u2019re sealed in a secure, tamper-evident bag by the original retailer, they were purchased within the past 24 hours, and you have the receipt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information on what you can and can\u2019t bring through airport security, check out this comprehensive Airport Security Q&A<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t leave liquids and gels deep in your carry-on.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One surefire method to slow a security line down is to waste time digging through your carry-on for items that need to be placed in the bin individually. Putting travel-sized liquids into a clear, see-through quart-sized bag is not enough. Keep the bag stored in a handy place\u2014such as an external compartment on your carry-on\u2014so all you have to do is reach in and grab it. Note that although electronics and liquids are increasingly allowed to remain inside carry-on luggage <\/a>thanks to new technology, it may not be the case at every checkpoint.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

5 Surprising TSA Rules You Didn\u2019t Know<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget to have your boarding pass and ID handy.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Similar to the above, you don\u2019t want to be pulling out your wallet to grab your ID while you\u2019re standing in front of the security agent. Do that while waiting in line or, better yet, before you even get in line. You\u2019ll not only make things faster for yourself and those behind you, but you also won\u2019t annoy the security agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t wait to take off your belt, watch, jacket, and shoes.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Bin<\/a>
Chalabala | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you haven\u2019t caught on to the \u201cbe prepared\u201d mantra yet, here it is again. The best way to move through security as fast as possible is to have everything you need out and ready to be placed on the conveyor belt as soon as you get there. If you\u2019re wearing a belt or watch, take it off while you\u2019re in line. Same thing with your jacket and even your shoes if possible, especially if they\u2019ve got shoelaces\u2014at the very least, have your laces untied so all you have to do is slip your shoes off. Caveat: Seniors over the age of 75, kids under 13, and those who have TSA PreCheck<\/a> may leave their shoes and light jackets on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t remove items you don\u2019t need to remove.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common airport security mistakes is to take out all your electronic devices to be scanned separately. You don\u2019t need to do this. According to the TSA<\/a>, only electronics larger than a cell phone must be removed from their carrying cases and X-rayed separately. This does include laptops and tablets, but it doesn\u2019t include phones, electric toothbrushes, or hair dryers. TSA PreCheck members don\u2019t have to remove electronics for separate screening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, in most cases you do not need to remove your jewelry before going through security. If you\u2019re wearing particularly bulky items, you might want to take them off, but smaller pieces such as wedding rings and earrings can usually stay on. If you set off any alarms, the screening agent will work with you to determine the problem, which might or might not require jewelry removal.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

Airport Security Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Don\u2019t wear sandals.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do you really want to expose your bare feet to whatever\u2019s on a filthy airport floor? Yes, sandals are easy to slip on and off, but they\u2019re not worth a potential case of athlete\u2019s foot. If you can\u2019t give up your flip-flops, consider bringing a pair of disposable booties<\/a> to protect your feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t overlook less busy checkpoints.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Sign<\/a>
Dmitry | Adobe Stock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Most large airports have multiple checkpoint entries for any given terminal, and some may be busier than others at certain times of day. The TSA offers travelers an app called MyTSA<\/a> that you can use to check security wait times based on historical data. Just be sure you actually can reach your gate via the checkpoint you\u2019ve selected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t give the security folks a hard time.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may think your trial shampoo bottle is smaller than 3.4 ounces, or maybe the last time you went through security, no one cared that your mascara wasn\u2019t in a clear bag. All that matters is what they\u2019re telling you this time. While the particular TSA agent demanding you give up your \u201ccontraband\u201d very well may be in the wrong, at that moment he or she has all the power, and arguing isn\u2019t going to get you anywhere but possibly detained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t joke about national security or bombs.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Technically, cracking jokes about national security at an airport is not illegal, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t get in trouble for doing it. There are numerous cases of passengers being arrested after joking about explosives or bombs while being examined at security. You may think your joke is funny or harmless, but remember, the TSA has no sense of humor when it comes to doing its job. Always err on the side of caution.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

Related:<\/h3>\n

5 Surprising Items That Could Get Your Luggage Searched by the TSA<\/a><\/p><\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget about the PreCheck program.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The TSA\u2019s PreCheck<\/a> program is a risk-based prescreening system that allows frequent flyers to apply for access to a restricted\u2014and faster\u2014airport security lane. The application process is essentially an in-depth background check, but once cleared, PreCheck flyers no longer have to remove their belts, shoes, or lightweight jackets, nor must they place their 3-1-1 compliant plastic bag and laptop in separate bins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PreCheck lanes are currently available at more than 200 airports across the United States. Do you often travel internationally? Consider Global Entry<\/a>, which includes PreCheck membership as well as expedited re-entry into the United States. Read SmarterTravel\u2019s summary of Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014written by Dori Saltzman<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor\u2019s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Airport security is a nuisance, but it’s one travelers must accept if they wish to be able to fly around the world safely. The best you can hope for is to get through security as quickly and painlessly as possible. That means being prepared and avoiding airport security mistakes that will slow you and everyone 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