I LOVE to travel, that’s pretty obvious. My least favourite part of traveling? Airport security! I’m impatient, and get hangry quite often (of course my hunger normally kicks in just as I arrive at the gate), and do not enjoy long line ups in sweaty crowds. Airport security doesn’t have to suck or ruin your trip, so here are my top 5 tips and tricks to make it less horrific!

Liquids

I can’t believe that travelers have still not received the memo that all liquids need to be 100 ml or smaller. Want to travel with your favourite shampoo that comes in a large container? Put some in a smaller container; I find the small containers from Goodfood (yup, the meal kits) are the perfect travel size and I can recycle them before our return trip to get more space in my bag for souvenirs. I would also recommend to label these smaller containers, as not to cause any suspicions, and to help keep track. And last, keep it all in a sealed, completely see-through, airport approved bag (I’ve only had issues with mine once, and I’m pretty sure it was so early that everyone was just lacking caffeine in their system).

Dress to Impress

Common sense says that if you don’t want to strip down, remove belts, etc, then just don’t wear them. You can still look great in a simpler style. Wear shoes that can slide off quickly and easily, minimal jewelry (if any), and keep your pockets empty! My husband wears the same belt on every trip, airport safe, it never beeps when going through the metal detector, and he is rarely asked to remove it. However, it all comes down to the airport staff and their discretion. Another trick if you are wearing a coat is to put everything from your pant pockets into your coat pockets that have zippers. The items won’t fall out into the bin and it will allow you to pick up your bag without having to stuff items back into your pant pockets at the crowded screening area – do this on your walk to the gate or at the gate itself once you have relaxed.

Follow the rules

The last thing you want to do is draw attention to yourself when you just want to start your vaycay. Follow the lines (keeping in mind that the shortest one, is not always the fastest option). Families will often take longer than individual travelers, Sorry y’all, it’s a fact.

Pack accordingly

It’s no secret that you’ll need to remove liquids and laptops and show your paperwork. So why pack them at the bottom of your bag? I see this mistake every time without fail. Be prepared and pack them in an accessible location for quick removal. If you have other items that always get you pulled aside, then be proactive. I have a little bag where I keep my jewelry and change. It gets checked on practically all flights, so I leave it aside for easy inspection. Save us all the hassle. And if you are forgetful like my husband sometimes, do a quick eye scan of your bag before you leave your house. We once got pulled aside since he left a steak knife at the bottom of his bag (the same bag he brought to work daily, which held his lunch, and cutlery…)

More bees with Honey

At the end of the day you are at the mercy of the airport staff. They are working, probably for hours on end, dealing with frustrated passengers all day long. So send some friendly niceties their way. Give them a smile, tell a joke, be nice and that may get you further ahead in the long run. MAY. No promises.

Either way, embrace the long lines, be patient, don’t overdress if your body temperature rises quickly, make sure you are caffeinated, and always go to the bathroom before joining the line and enjoy your trip!

I hope these tips help! Let me know in the comments below if you have any to add!

Cheers,
Melissa