A few decades ago, getting onto an airplane didn't take much longer than getting into a car. But since the hijackings of the '70s -- and particularly since 9/11 -- security at airports has been beefed up exponentially to help keep travelers safe. In exchange, travelers have had to sacrifice some of their privacy and a lot of their time.
Just because the days of breezing through customs are over, it doesn't mean that you can't travel with as much speed and as little hassle as possible. To get through airport security you need to understand airport procedures; then, you should do what you can to maximize your own efficiency. Here's how.
1- Know your luggage
One of the easiest ways to get into trouble with security is to carry something in your bag that doesn't belong there. Make sure that you don't pack anything that is forbidden, such as explosives, firearms or ammunition. You should also keep in mind that there are higher security standards for carry-on baggage. Personal items like scissors, penknives, matches, and lighters should be transported in your checked baggage, otherwise they'll be confiscated.Make sure that you're the only one who packed your bags and that no one has opened them since you did. If there's something incriminating or dangerous in your bag, you'll be held responsible, whether you put it there or not.
2- Keep your papers handy
These days, you should expect to be asked for identification more than once at the airport; so, if you want to get where you're going faster, keep your ID within reach -- not buried in your carry-on. For domestic flights, you'll need government-issued identification, such as a driver's license, as well as your plane tickets. For international travel, it goes without saying that a passport is a must.Make sure that all your documentation is accessible. For example, if you have an e-ticket, it's a good idea to keep a computer printout as a backup in case there's a problem.
3- Prepare for scanning procedures
When approaching x-ray machines and metal detectors, a little preparation will get you through faster. Security will want to make sure that your personal electronics are legit, so have your laptop, PDA or cell phone ready for inspection.Furthermore, keep their batteries charged so you can demonstrate to security that they're functioning normally. If you're carrying gifts, don't wrap them, in case they need to be opened.
To get through the metal detectors more efficiently, take coins and keys out of your pockets in advance (and remove your watch) and put them in your carry-on bag or briefcase. Take care not to wear steel-toed boots or other items with metal in them. Make sure that any metal that you do wear (in a belt buckle, for instance) is conspicuous, so that security will know what's setting off the detectors.
4- Look professional
Before leaving for the airport, do your best to keep from looking sloppy and poorly groomed. You may be tired and jet-lagged, but keep in mind that appearance matters.Security personnel's suspicions will be aroused by someone who wears something strange, who hasn't shaved in days or leaves his sunglasses on. Prevent hassles from developing in the first place by dressing in a respectable manner.
5- Remember your itinerary
To speed through security, have a sense of your travel history and future plans, so that when asked at customs, you can be as clear as possible. When traveling with others, make sure that everyone agrees on where you were, where you're going, and for how long. If you start telling officials contradictory stories, you may be detained until they're all sorted out.6- Avoid guilt by association
Airports can be boring, especially if you're traveling alone. While it's okay to chat with other travelers on the plane or in the terminal, make sure you're alone when you're on your way through customs and security.Don't say you've been traveling with someone just because you sat beside each other on the plane. You don't want to be responsible for the security transgressions of someone you've only just met.
7- Be careful with chemicals
Security personnel doesn't just look for bombs anymore -- they look for signs of bomb-making, which includes chemical tests for explosives. Beware of circumstances under which you could be inadvertently stopped.For example, some heart medications contain nitroglycerin, which is an explosive. If you use your laptop right after you take such pills, you could transfer trace amounts of the chemical to it, creating a false red flag for security officers. Be mindful of what you handle before going on the plane, and get supporting documentation for prescriptions or other legitimate uses of suspicious substances.
8- Avoid distractions
Even though your electronics should be charged, turn off anything that might distract you when going through security. The last thing you need is for a cell phone or pager to go off right as you're being scanned.9- Keep your cool
Even if you do all you can to prevent being stopped at a checkpoint, there may still be delays. Expect to be searched, and don't try to stop security from opening your bags because you're carrying dirty underwear or socks with holes in them. It's better to ask for a private inspection than to resist and give them a reason to detain you.When dealing with security personnel, be cooperative. Don't complain, and don't make jokes, either. Think of the airport as a sarcasm-free zone. If you're asked any questions, answer simply and clearly. After all, the whole point is to spend as little time at security as possible.
fly through security
If you know what to expect from security, you won't inadvertently make yourself a suspect. As long as you do what you can to work with officers and don't go looking for trouble, you should be able to get through the airport with minimal fuss.Resources:
http://www.tsa.gov/public/
http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?theme=20
http://www.independent.org/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1199
http://travel.howstuffworks.com/airport-security.htm
http://www.flyana.com/security.html
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