Unfortunately, since 9/11, airports have increasingly been a pain rather than a pleasure. Stressed TSA agents, strange scanners, and invasion of personal privacy might cause any other life form to implode. Thankfully, there are some quick tips you can follow to make your flying journey pain-free. I’ll go through all the basics for the beginners, but make sure to read carefully! There may be some bad habits that you need to break!
In order to start on a good note, you have to, well, start on a good note. When you’re at home packing for the trip ahead, remember what you can and can’t bring on the plane. I honestly recommend carrying everything on, and not to check anything, unless you need to bring some large knife, or maybe a beanbag across the country (not very likely). Why? Firstly, there’s a much lesser chance of losing your luggage or having it damaged. Secondly, you don’t have to mess around with baggage claim when all you want is to get to the hotel (or home). Because I often travel with expensive photographic equipment, it’s a no-brainer to always carry on as much as I can. Of course, there are some disadvantages. You can only bring a certain amount of liquids within the US - 3 ounces (100 ml) or less in a 1 quart (.5 liter) plastic bag. You’ll have to lug everything around the airport (another excuse to pack light!). You might not be able to find enough space to place all of your bags on the airplane (never has happened to me, but you always have the option of a gate check, when they’ll put it in the belly for you and give it back after your flight). But overall, I think the advantages greatly outweigh the disadvantages. Make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes that are easily slipped on and off, so you don’t have to hold up the entire security line trying to tie them after you retrieve your bags from the x-ray machine. If you have a laptop, keep it outside of its case in whatever bag you keep it in, otherwise it will be a pain to take it out and put it back for security.
Once you’ve left your house, make sure that you have everything together - passport (if needed), boarding passes, photo ID, bags, wallet, etc. Set up email alerts if you want, to keep tabs on your flight. Know where you’re going to park, where you need to check in, and try not to get distracted or you’ll end up driving in circles.
OK, you’ve arrived at the airport, parked your car, checked in... Aha! I’ve caught you! You checked in online, the night before, right? Because you used carry on baggage only like I said, you don’t even have to wait in line to check in or check your bags, so there’s one less thing to do.
Proceed to security. While you are waiting in line (not during the screening process itself!), remove your liquids that you packed into the quart-sized bag (you did that the night before too, right? Of course you did!), and hold on to them until you’re in the screening line. Put them in a large side pocket or something, I guess it doesn't matter to me - you’ll be making yourself late if you take too long. Make sure your ID, boarding pass, passport, etc. are in your hand and ready for the TSA agent to check.
POP QUIZ! What should you be holding right now? One hand: ID, boarding pass. Other: Bags, toiletries. Got it?
Everything has been reviewed by the agent, and you’re in line for the actual screening process. This is where the real technique comes in! Half-way slip off your shoes (just enough so you can walk) and put your cell phone, wallet, ID, boarding pass, keys, watch, and any other valuable loose items in a coat pocket. Put your laptop (if you have one) in the first bin, the coat (with valuables inside!) and liquids in the second, and shoes in the third. Why the strange order? Simple. You want to make sure that your most valuable items go in first so they can pass over to the “sterile” side first. Make sure you watch your laptop (if you have one) and coat go through before you step through the metal detector! That way, if someone were to steal something from you, they would only be able to steal your shoes - your laptop/coat/valuables are in the x-ray machine or inside the protective cage (for inspection by TSA personnel) and are already safe!
The second part of this article, the post-security part, will come on Monday. Have a great weekend!
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