Best Practices to Get through Airport Security

I travel a fair amount.  I get to see a lot of people go through the security lines.  I try to get through as fast as possible while allowing others to do the same.  Here are some of what I think are best practices.

1. Dress intelligently - Do not wear lace up shows if possible.  Wear slip on shoes.  They are easier to take off and put back on.  Wear a belt that does not have excessive metal (so you do not need to take it off)
2. Pack intelligently - Make sure your liquids are easily accessible (in an outer pocket of your carry on bag) and take out your laptop (or better yet get a TSA approved bag where you do not have to remove it) and liquids prior to getting to the bins.  That way you are ready to just empty your pockets.
3. Put your laptop in a separate bin first then put your second bin for the remainder of your metal objects, shoes, and coats on top of that bin.  This clears space on the tables prior to the x-ray machine and allows other passengers to start to load their belongings.
4. Do not put your bags onto the tables.  Wait until you are at x-ray machine (where the rollers/conveyor belt are).  Again this optimizes table space for fellow passengers.
5. Put your bags through the x-ray machine before your bins (you will see why in a minute)
6. When you go through the x-ray machine have your boarding pass in your hand in case TSA wants to see (not everyone does, but it speeds things up if they do)
7. Take your bags off the rollers when they come out (assuming you have a roller bag plus a smaller laptop bag).
8. Re-stack your bins (with the laptop in the bottom bin so it provides a flat surface for the top bin) and move them to the end of the line.  This allows others to get their bags out of the x-ray machine more quickly.
9. Put your belongings back where they belong (do not forget your laptop in the bottom bin) in your baggage.

It is amazing how many frequent fliers even do not think ahead in the security line.  Am I missing any best practices?  Do you disagree with any of these?  What do you think?

Comments

[Jim]

Good list. I like to get all of items in my pockets into my laptop bag while waiting in line too.

Plus, I like a slightly different conveyor loading order. I like putting luggage on the belt last as the TSA usually takes longest to view that on the monitor. While they do that, I'm getting shoes back on and laptop stowed.

So in order, on the belt...
1 - bin with shoes - goes through xray fast, drop and slip on
2 - laptop bag - get it open and ready for...
3 - laptop
4 - rolling luggage.

Happy travels!