Once you check in, make sure PreCheck (if you have it) appears on your boarding pass. Sometimes a reservation snag prevents it from appearing properly, which will cause a delay when going through security. A ticket agent can try to re-enter the Known Traveler Number into the reservation. After all, if you paid for it, you might as well benefit from the time savings.
Pack appropriately
You may have been behind “that person” in security whose bag is full of restricted items—sewing scissors or oversized liquids—while wearing every alarm-inducing piece of jewelry imaginable. To avoid similar woes, review what you’ve packed (or may have forgotten that is already in your bag) before getting to the checkpoint. While some screeners may let certain things slide, others may not, and different countries play by their own screening rules.
Before placing anything in your carry-on, do a scan of all its pockets and compartments to ensure they’re all empty and no TSA-prohibited items have been accidentally left inside.
Avoid packing full-size containers of foods like peanut butter, yogurt, and applesauce in your carry-on. While not entirely liquid, these foods fall into the category of creams and gels and therefore are limited to the 3.4 ounce 100ml rule. The only exceptions are for parents traveling with infants needing to bring food or formula on the plane.
Chaulet also recommends that if you’re checking bags, always place a change of clothes in your carry-on just in case your other luggage gets lost.
Avoid flying at peak times
Early-morning departures may be popular with those that want the best chance at avoiding a flight delay, but it is also one of the busiest times at the airport. All of the planes that overnighted at the facility will be departing early in the morning, and lines are sure to be long. This can be especially true on a Monday morning when many business travelers are flying out. On the other hand, Sunday morning may be less busy. Many airports list the current or expected wait times at different checkpoints on their website. Take a look at those wait times a few days prior to have an idea if lines are generally long when you are flying.
Use the down time to your advantage
Even if you must wait in line, use that down time to prepare for reaching the security scanner. Have the right documents ready to show, and if you need to remove jewelry, watches, belts, or items from your bag, have that ready to go so you don’t waste time (or hold up others) at the machine. Some of the newer bag-scanning machines at many airports don’t require removing anything from your bag. Ask ahead if you need to before you discombobulate.
Try to stay positive, even if the wait is taking longer than expected. Chaulet says she that while she waits she tries to lighten the mood, sometimes wearing a sweater with the words “Champagne please,” embroidered on it, which spurs conversation and creates a laugh with others in line.
Ship your bags to your destination
There are numerous services where you can pay to have your bags collected from your home and delivered to your destination. This no-fuss option means you won’t even have to deal with bags at the airport, saving you check-in time and reducing any carry-on luggage you may have otherwise brought with you. LugLess is a popular option for domestic shipping and sister company Luggage Forward can handle bag delivery farther afield.
No matter how long you have to wait, Chaulet reminds travelers that “patience is key,” and it’s important to be courteous to airport security staff, who are also struggling with the same issues themselves.
