Airports can be stressful. This could be your first trip and negotiating the maze of buildings is challenging. There are so many people, corridors, signs, shops and distractions.
You may be running late to make your flight. You might be in a foreign country. Luckily, you’re travelling with carry-on luggage only – so no baggage check is required.
Whatever the circumstances, it’s inevitable that you have to go through security and passport control.
I don’t know about you, but I always feel anxious lining up to have my baggage and body checked. I’m glad that security is so carefully monitored, but it is unnerving – and you don’t want to cause the security guards any reason to detain you as you’re rushing to get to the gate.
Nor do you want to have any of your goods confiscated – just because you’re carrying too much liquid, for example.
To help you pass safely and swiftly through security, I’m sharing with you the Planepack top tips for clearing security.
Not taking sharp objects might seem like a no-brainer, but it is easy to forget you have these items in your toiletry bag. Check carefully that you are not carrying the following:
As a light traveller, you’re already aware of the limits on liquids, but it’s a good idea to refresh your memory:
On 1 July 2018, powders joined the likes of liquids, aerosols and gels as restricted carry onboard luggage. The definition of powder is:
“Fine dry particles produced by the grinding, crushing or disintegration of a solid substance (for example, flour, sugar, ground coffee, spices, powdered milk, baby formula or cosmetics). Powders may also be presented in clumpy, grain or compressed material forms.”
There might be a time when you have to travel with prescribed medicines. If this is the case, you should do the following:
Don’t you just hate being told to take off your shoes when going through security? I feel so undignified walking through the airport in my stockinged feet. Not to mention the embarrassment of putting on my shoes again with everyone looking at me. So, to evade that, I suggest you:
I consulted my sister, who is a knitter, and this is her advice:
“Make sure your knitting needles have knitting displayed on them. Show your knitting intent! There are many different kinds of needles (bamboo, plastic, etc.), which might be considered safer. But always check with airlines before flying to make sure you know the rules. There’s nothing worse than trying to prove to security staff you are well within your rights by travelling with your knitting.”
I think it’s a nuisance to have to take your laptop out of your carry-on bag when going through security. I find it slows me down, and I get flustered about unpacking and repacking.
So, my advice is to leave your laptop and tablet at home. Instead, take everything you need for business and pleasure on your smartphone.
Passport control is automated at many airports, so you no longer have to front up to a real person. But you are checked via photo recognition, so remember to:
What do you do to get cleared faster at airport security? Do you have any tips to share that aren’t mentioned here? What is your advice to a first-time flyer? Please share in the comments below!