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Galley Gossip: 5 tips for getting through airport security quickly
As a working flight attendant I'm able to flash my crew ID and bypass the line - one of the few remaining perks of working for an airline. Hey, don't get mad at me. Because the last time a passenger threw a fit, pushing me out of the way while screaming about his flight that was about to depart in five minutes, he not only wound up on my flight, forty five mintues later, but on my side of the business class cabin. It was an awkward flight for both of us.
When I'm not traveling in uniform, I always pick the line that has the most business travelers in it, regardless of how long it may be. Frequent fliers know the drill. They're quick, they're fast, and they're always ready to go. As the mother of a three year-old, I know what's it's like traveling with kids. It ain't easy. But by the time the family of four realizes that the stroller needs to be placed on the belt along with the car seat, and that little Johnny's shoes must come off - even if he is only six months old - I'll be long gone, on my way to the gate. I'm not just a flight attendant, I'm a commuting flight attendant, so if there's one thing I know besides uncomfortable seats and bad food, it's how to pass through airport security quickly.
Here are five tips to get you through security faster...
1. BE PREPARED - Have your ticket and ID out and ready to show the TSA Agent before you approach the podium. Otherwise step aside! And take your bags along with you. Often times I hear passengers complaining about TSA, but it's always the passengers who are running late, traveling with too many bags, and unfamiliar with airport procedures I find to be a problem.
2. TAKE IT ALL OFF - So what if there are five passengers ahead of you! Don't wait until it's officially your turn to begin the strip down. Now is the perfect time to de-shoe, whip off the belt, and remove t
he jacket. Stop complaining about it and just do it - please! And while you're at it, place your cell phone, loose coins and any jewelry that could set the alarm off inside your bag. Really, you don't want to keep going back and forth through the X-ray machine, do you?
3. GRAB A BIN (or two) - There's not a lot of time or even room to get organized on the table, so why not begin the process of preparing the bin on the floor? Toss shoes and jackets into one bin, the computer (and only the computer) inside the other bin. NOTE: TSA requires computers to be scanned separately when passing through the X-ray machine. Stack the computer bin on top of the clothing bin and slide it along with your foot.
4. SHARE THE SPACE - With a rollaboard, a tote bag, and two plastic bins, you could very well take up the entire space on the metal table. This will only slow the security line down even more. Try placing the two bins that have been stacked together on the table while you continue rolling your larger bag behind you, the smaller bag resting on top of the rolling bag. Now other passengers can get their stacked bins up off the floor, moving the entire process along for everyone.
5. NOW GO! - It's your turn. Grab the rollaboard and huck it up on the belt, sending it along first. The smaller bag follows. Separate the stacked bins. Send the computer bin first. Last, but not least, your shoes go. Only because no one wants to wait behind the passenger hopping on one foot, trying to get dressed, as the bags smash into each other causing a bag jam on the other side. Now walk through the X-ray machine and quickly yank the rolling bag off the belt. Place the smaller bag on top of the rolling bag. Push the two bins down, down, down to the very end of the belt. Slide the computer into your smaller bag and your feet into your shoes. If there's a bench nearby available, use it!
Good job. See ya on the flight!
Photos courtesy of Redjar and Redjar
Filed under: Airlines, Transportation, Airports, Galley Gossip
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Richard Nov 17th 2009 9:59AM
Excellent plan for getting through security. If only all would follow it.
msnovtue Nov 17th 2009 10:28AM
Just something I would add-- instead of waiting until you get in line to start juggling everything, find a bench seat near the entrance to security to stop and prepare. I always do this-- stop, set my bag(s) down, stuff my "pocket junk" and big metal watch in my bag, take off my jacket if I have one, get boarding pass & ID ready, etc. Basically, I do everything but take my shoes off. Then, when I get in line, I'm ready to go. I just drop stuff on the screening belt, slip my shoes off, and go. Afterwards, I just pick everything up, get out of the way, and then find a spot to get myself back together.
I've found it's just easier to do this; it's easier to keep track of everything, and you have more room to do it. There's also not usually a disgruntled fellow traveler behind you giving you the stink eye, either. :o)
Traytable Nov 17th 2009 10:30AM
ANother tip- don't EVER put the bin with your valuables in it onto the belt until you are about to walk through the archway. Or, don't walk through until you see your computer moving through the scanner... as FlyingWithFish mentioned once, it's a prime opportunity for airport thieves to grab this bin while you're putting on your shoes if you put it through too soon or too late...
I'd also add, if you Do beep... don't stand in the arch searching through your pockets, step aside so the line can keep moving while you look for whatever it was that set it off in the first place. Happy travels!
M-D Nov 17th 2009 1:15PM
I'd say the reverse is probably better advise - don't even think about moving up to the magnetometer until you see all of your possessions advance through the X-ray machine. Many TSA agents actually announce that instruction now (I suspect a liability issue at play?) but it's a wise precaution.
One thing I'd add to Heather's tips - if you're coming from/going to a colder climate and have bulky clothing on (a sweater, for example), be prepared for TSA to pat you down. You CAN opt to take your sweater off and run through the x-ray, but the pat-down is the faster option - and believe me, the TSA agent doesn't want to do it any more than you want it done to you.
@Johnny Jet - the shoe thing seems to vary by airport - some airports still like shoes in the bin. The best thing is to listen to the TSA barkers at the checkpoint - they'll tell you whether to keep shoes on the belt or put them in the bin.
One last thing - for anyone who travels with a computer frequently, I can't even begin to extol the virtues of an 'x-ray friendly' laptop bag. It seems like a small thing, but not having to take your computer out makes the checkpoint experience go much faster. I splurged on a Brenthaven bag with a 'butterfly' design, and even with the butterfly zipper open, I can still keep the bag on my shoulder while I ready my other items and then just lay it flat on the belt. On the other side, you just zip up and go. It's the little things...
Johnny Jet Nov 17th 2009 10:43AM
Shoes don't go in the bin anymore
Malaycobra Nov 17th 2009 1:50PM
They do at IAH (Houston)
Mary Nov 17th 2009 4:42PM
On our island-hopping honeymoon this year, my husband and I found out quickly that "standard operating procedure" isn't so standard with security at different U.S. airports. (Nine takeoffs and landings and six different airports...we saw a lot in two weeks!) Shoes go on the bin. No! They go on the belt! No! They go in the bin! In some airports, we pushed the bags from the table onto the belt. In others, the TSA person at the X-ray machine did it and gave you a dirty look if you tried to do it yourself.
Bottom line, come to the airport on time, be prepared, and follow instructions. Don't spend all of your time daydreaming while standing in line. Pay attention to what is going on ahead of you so as not to hold anyone up. Just because you did it a certain way on your last flight or at a different airport doesn't mean it will all be the same on your next trip through security.
Unexpected Traveller Nov 17th 2009 6:43PM
I follow some of these tips but I agree with other commenters that it will vary from one airport to another.
My variations:
1 - Place all your metallic valuables (wrist watch, mobile phone, keys, wallet) into your hand luggage so there's no risk of anything getting left behind.
2 - Pack your hand luggage so the laptop is on top and you can whip it out quickly.
3 - Find a belt which has a buckle that is not made of metal (I've been looking for one for years and my g/f found one while on a shopping trip to Madrid - it's my best purchase ever!)
4 - Carry a small plastic shoe horn in your hand luggage if you need one with your shoes. Alternatively, wear slip-ons when travelling not lace ups
The Unexpected Traveller
Traytable Nov 17th 2009 8:31PM
Sure, if the TSA want you to do it that way... but the TSA are not at every airport, Europe and Asia for example. I'm speaking from experience with Australia and Asia... your stuff has to go through the scanner as you are walking through, so it's best to time it as I've described above... simply placing the last tray in as you are about to step through yourself.
Also as mentioned by others, picking up your trays and/or sliding them to the END of the 'pick up' queue.... I HATE getting through the arch only to find a group of people standing at the front of the conveyor. As crew, we can cut the line, but it's still the same line and it's no help to us to have to stand there for 5 minutes waiting for everyone to move so we can pick up our bags.
PS- can people please stop abusing us for using the allowed line cut just so we can be on time? We're trying to make YOUR flight on time!
Ron Nov 18th 2009 12:17AM
PS- can people please stop abusing us for using the allowed line cut just so we can be on time? We're trying to make YOUR flight on time!
Well Traytable, I have to admit, it's real annoying when you've been waiting in the Elite line, (which is supposed to be shorter) for a very long time and a crew of a 5 or more struts up, and cuts ahead of everyone, further delaying the wait. To your point about making the flight- you're correct, you are going to my flight, however the plane will easily leave without me, but it will NOT leave without YOU!
Heather Poole Nov 18th 2009 10:38AM
RON, RON, RON....I'm taking a deep breath and I'm not going to go there. Not today.
frank96 Nov 22nd 2009 12:25PM
seriously, Ron. Dont begrudge the "small perk" I receive at work. When YOU fly some 400 flights per year, then you'll know how thankful we are that we can go to the front of the line. I would hope that most of us say thank you to the person we've cut in front of, I do.
I take less in 1 MINUTE to go through security. I know the rules and more importantly, it's second nature to remove the coat, metal items, etc. etc.
My word of advice to passengers going through security. On the other side of the metal detector, COLLECT YOUR PERSONAL ITEMS AND MOVE ASIDE. It frustrates me to watch passengers get dressed RIGHT THERE in line, preventing other people to collect their items and go to the nearest sitting area and regroup.
Kevin Nov 19th 2009 2:03PM
Here's a couple other ideas.
Please don't think just because it's "you" that the TSA is going to give you a break
It doesn't matter if you "know" you're allowed to do something. TSA staff at the scanner don't care! They operate they way they "know". It's not an argument you're going to win, unless you're willing to miss your flight, and even then - I wouldn't be too sure you're going to get anywhere. TSA's primary charter is security - not your comfort.
If you have a business card, tape it to the underside of your laptop or the laptop lid. I've been through the scanners enough times waiting for my laptop to arrive on the other side, and 2 or 3 identical machines all come through. Who would have guessed that anyone else has a Dell laptop?
Be selective - don't take all 75 of your electronic gadgets! Pick the ones that multifunction and cover the most important functions you want / need while in the terminal and plane.
Personally I just don't bother with items such as belts when traveling - less to take off, less to keep an eye on, etc. Keeping it simple does make all the difference.
Personally - I empty the contents of my pockets while standing in line and drop the items (usually cellphone, wallet, and maybe some coins) into my back pack, and leave them there until I'm well clear of the security area on the other side - again - less items to dump in the trays, and keep an eye on, and pick up on the other side.
Please don't tell TSA the bottle of water you're carrying was bought in the terminal. They don't care. They're usually OK with babies bottles and milk, but I was made to taste test my daughters bottle in London / Heathrow! They made me take the top off and drink some in such a way that they could see the milk going into my mouth. Thankfully it was just whole milk from the store!
Happy traveling!
Traytable Nov 19th 2009 11:34PM
Ron that might be the case in America but there's no such thing as 'Elite lines' for security in Australia. Immigration, yes, security no.
We are always polite and say 'excuse me' before we cut in the line, most people are fine with it because there's no separate crew line line there is in many other countries. But I've been sworn at by several passengers just for doing what the airport tells us to do. (There IS signage to say that due to no separate crew lines, OPERATING crew ONLY may join in front of the queue. And it does say 'Thank You' for allowing us to go in front. I always say thanks to people.
If you're going through security when your crew arrives, may I suggest that maybe you're not at the airport early enough... crew generally arrive to the aircraft at or after the time that check-in cuts off for that flight...
Oooh Hare Nov 24th 2009 11:47AM
You just reminded me why I requested (and FINALLY was given) all holidays off. However, I thought it would be a good idea to pick up a day trip tomorrow -- the day before Thanksgiving -- starting in O'Hare and passing through IAD and LGA.
Dear god help me!
G.