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Some parts of travel and going abroad aren’t all rainbows and sunshine. Airport security is usually one of them. There are times when it just depends on the mood of the person working, which is unfortunate. And yet sometimes the process goes so smoothly you don’t even notice the inconvenience of taking apart all the stuff you’ve so neatly packed.
Imagine it could be like that all the time. For a lot of people, it won’t be, but there are a few ways to make sure you can minimize the hassle on your end. And when you’re finished going through the rather invasive process, you can put yourself back together quickly and in time to catch your flight.
Before you go
1. Keep your toiletries and laptop easily accessible in your carry-on
Most, if not all, airports require that your liquids be in a clear plastic bag and that you separate out your laptop. You know this is required, so pack for it. Have the liquids ready in a pocket you can reach quickly. The idea is to not be digging around for it in the security line.
Don’t bury your laptop in the back pocket of your backpack. I’m a big fan of the laptop bags that have the zipper pocket in the back for the laptop, which protects it and makes it easy to reach for. If you travel often (or plan to), it would be a good investment to look into.
2. Wear fewer accessories
I like to travel lightly, which usually means I’m wearing the bulkiest clothes I have so I have more room in my pack. But even if you’re traveling lightly, make sure you’re not wearing too much: too much additional jewelry, boots, an accessory scarf, a jacket. You’ll have to remove all of it.
Pack the scarf and jewelry if you don’t need it, wear the jacket if you need to, and wear comfortable, easily removable shoes with socks (socks are good to keep you warm on the plane and they keep if your feet clean if you’re in an airport that asks to remove your shoes).
At the airport
3. Have your ID and boarding pass out and ready
You’ll have to show it before you can even approach the X-ray lines, so have them out. You can put them away after they’ve given you the approving nod.
4. Choose the line you get in wisely
People tend to get into the middle lanes because they’re closer, so try getting in the outside ones. Try to gauge how much people stuff people have. If they’ve got a lot of stuff or they’re a big group, chances are they’re going to take longer. Don’t get in their line.
5. Grab two containers
One for your laptop, the other for everything else. Put the one with your shoes, liquids, jackets through the X-ray first. Then push your laptop container through, then your bag. You’ll be able to put your slip-ons and jacket on while you’re waiting for your other stuff. Then grab your laptop and put it back in your bag when it’s through. Done!
Always grab two containers.
Keeping to a consistent process will help you get through an inevitable process that much more smoothly. When you know what to expect you can better prepare for it.
There will be times when not everything will go as you planned, but with a little patience, you’ll be able to get through it calmly.
