Airport Travel Tips: Reducing Waiting Times

by Marisol Boatwright

Key Travel Tips

Following these tips will help you reduce your wait time at the security checkpoint.

 

Before you go to the Airport

• Do not pack or bring Prohibited Items to the airport.
• Place valuables such as jewelry, cash and laptop computers in carry-on baggage only.
• Tape your business card to the bottom of your laptop.

• Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry and accessories that contain metal. Metal items may set off the alarm on the metal detector.
• Avoid wearing shoes that contain metal or have thick soles or heels. Many types of footwear will require additional screening even if the metal detector does not alarm.
• Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film.
• Declare firearms & ammunition to your airline and place them in your checked baggage.

• If you wish to lock your baggage, use a TSA-recognized lock.
• Do not bring lighters or prohibited matches to the airport. Editor’s note: As of August 4, 2007, some lighters are permitted. See http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items for details.
• Do not pack wrapped gifts and do not bring wrapped gifts to the checkpoint. Wrap on arrival or ship your gifts prior to your departure. TSA may have to unwrap packages for security reasons.

While at the Airport

Each adult traveler needs to keep available his/her airline boarding pass and government-issued photo ID until exiting the security checkpoint. Due to different airport configurations, at many airports you will be required to display these documents more than once.

• Place the following items IN your carry-on baggage or in a plastic bag prior to entering the screening checkpoint:

• Mobile phones
  
• Keys
  
• Loose change
  
• Money clips
  
• PDA's (personal data assistants)
  
• Large amounts of jewelry
  
• Metal hair decorations
  
• Large belt buckles,
• Take your laptop and video cameras with cassettes OUT of their cases and place them in a bin provided at the checkpoint.
  
  
• Take OFF all outer coats, suit coats, jackets and blazers.

Marisol Boatwright is an Independent Travel Agent with Global Travel International. She has years of experience in the travel agency business and wants to help people with their travel needs. Whether it be for hotel or air reservations, auto rentals, cruises, or vacation packages, Marisol will be able to help.

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