Nov. 07--Thanksgiving is just weeks away, and that means Christmas is right behind it. And that means it's time for the busiest travel season of the year. Travel Leaders (travelleaders.com), a travel agency network, has some tips to help you pass through security quickly during the upcoming holiday season.
Upon approach at airport security checkpoints, be prepared to:
-- Remove your coat or jacket and your shoes and place them in security trays for screening. Children are usually subject to these rules as well, and may need help with their coats and shoes.
Frequent travelers often opt for slip-on shoes like loafers to speed through the process; lace-up shoes can be difficult to take on and off.
-- Secure all liquids or gels in your carry-on bag in a clear, quart-size plastic bag and place it in a security tray. If you forget to prepare this bag at home, most airports have bags available at security checkpoints. Remember, each container of liquid or gel can be no more than three ounces, or it will be confiscated. The TSA refers to this rule as 3-1-1, meaning three ounce liquids or gels allowed in a single (one) one-quart bag. Frequent travelers make sure that this bag is easy to reach upon approach to the security checkpoint and may even have it out before they approach.
-- Empty your pockets of change, keys, cell phones, combs, eyeglasses, etc., and put these items in a small security tray for screening. If you're wearing a belt, you may also be asked to remove it as well. Frequent travelers further help to speed up this process by minimizing the number of items they have to place in security trays. They often place these items into their carry-on bags prior to their approach through security screening.
-- Remove any computers or other large electronics (video game consoles, remote-control toys, etc.) from your carry-on bag. Frequent travelers have purchased TSA-approved computer bags so they don't have to remove their laptops for screening.
-- You may be in a hurry, but double-check that you've collected all of your belongings from the security trays before you leave the security checkpoint. Frequent travelers will already have minimal items to retrieve because they've planned ahead.
Copyright 2011 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
