What do you think about when you hear TSA?
Long lines of angry people all piled on each other?
Picky TSA officers yelling at you to take all computers and electronics out?
‘Take your shoes off, throw liquids away, belts off, hats off’
And the worst part is when you finally get to the other side of the metal detector and you watch your bag get rerouted to be searched.
Sometimes they open it, peek under a specific area, send it back through and you’re good, but other times your whole bag gets opened up, all your carefully packed items moved around leaving you with the task of meticulously piecing it all together again to fit as perfectly as it did before you got there.
All in all, TSA is one of those things in travel that can add a lot of stress, if you don’t plan well.
Getting to TSA even 5 minutes late could even be the cause of missing your flight altogether.
Thankfully, there are some things you can do that can make your time run a little smoother.
Table of Contents
Useful Tips for Smooth Sailing Through TSA
Packing Tips: Personal & Carry-On
Carefully and purposefully packing your carry-on and personal bag is more than just an organizational skill; it’s your ticket to a stress-free TSA experience. By strategically arranging your essentials, you ensure that everything you need is easily accessible, saving you time and sparing you the hassle at the checkpoint.
Here are some packing tips that could organize your bags to help smoothly get through TSA every time:
The Personal Bag
This bag should house all the essentials you’ll need to present to the officer at the checkpoint within arm’s reach. (Even better, one that can snugly fit into your carry-on once you’ve navigated through TSA).
Examples of the essentials to keep in your personal bag:
- IDs: Keep your passport and any other identification documents at your fingertips.
- Phone with Boarding Pass: Have your phone with the boarding pass at the ready (or a printed version if that’s your style).
- Pair of Socks: A pair of socks can be a game-changer during a lengthy flight. (They’re also handy when you have to take off your shoes for TSA if you’re sporting sandals)
- Lip Balm & Hand Sanitizer: These might be small items, but you’ll find them to be invaluable allies as you navigate through the airport and during your flight.
Carry-On
This is your bigger, but still compact, bag, where you place bigger essentials. Think, comfort on the plane, and ‘if my checked- in bag were to not arrive right as I land, what are some things that will get me by for 24 hours‘. Even if you’re not checking in a bag, these tips are good to remember when packing your carry-on:
- Toiletries and Liquids: Dedicate a small, bag for toiletries and liquids to keep them apart from other things, and together in one spot. Position this bag at the top or in front for quick access. If you’re checking in a bag, think about stashing all your toiletries in your checked-in bag instead to declutter your carry-on.
- Remember, only 3.4oz per liquid.
- Also, some airports have you place all of the liquids in a quart- sized plastic bag so make sure it all fits.
- Electronics: Consolidate all your electronics – cables, chargers, devices – into one bag. Reserve an easily reachable spot for your laptop, ideally a separate compartment, since you’ll likely need to take it out during the security check.
- Unusual Items: Objects like hair straighteners or curling irons might appear odd on the scanner. Any unusually shaped item should be kept easily accessible and not too tucked away. This way, if TSA requests you to remove them, (which many times they will), you won’t have to dig too deep through your bag. If you’re checking in a bag, these may be great items to go into your checked bag instead.
Navigating the Conveyor Belt
Once you’ve made it past the officer, it’s time to tackle the conveyor belt. Here are some tips to ensure you don’t miss a beat:
- Take Deep Breaths: First and foremost, you want to stay calm. Try as much as you can to silence the noise and just breathe. This is important so you don’t rush and end up leaving anything. (Plus, looking frantic may make you look suspicious).
- Bin Management: Try to keep your bins together while packing them before sending them down the belt. This way, when you’re waiting for them on the other end, you won’t forget anything. It’s all about staying organized.
- Footwear: If possible, opt for shoes that easily slip on and off – no shoelaces. Not only will this speed up the process, but it’ll also make your journey more comfortable (remember to use the socks that you so intelligently packed in your personal bag to avoid walking on those airport floors barefoot).
- Stay Calm: Depending on where you are, the officers may be a bit more assertive, urging you to hurry up. But remember, just stay calm. Keep track of your belongings, especially the essentials in your small bag. Once you have everything, move to the side and repack at your own pace.
Always Go With More Than Enough Time
Always make it a point to arrive with plenty of time to spare. It might seem like overkill, but navigating through TSA without feeling rushed is one of the best travel strategies you can adopt.
By arriving early, you give yourself the luxury of time to handle any unexpected situations that might arise, like:
- Understaffing: TSA checkpoints could be understaffed, which can lead to longer wait times.
- Sensitive Machines: Some machines are more sensitive than others, which might require you to send your items through again, sometimes even multiple times.
- Bag Checks: Occasionally, TSA officers might need to thoroughly inspect your bag, which can take extra time.
- Long Lines: Sometimes, the line is just really long.
Making the Most of Your Time at the Gate
The hard part is done! You’ve gone through TSA. You walk to your gate, look at your watch and it shows that you have two hours before your flight arrives.
Thankfully, sitting at your gate with time to spare doesn’t have to be a complete bore. Here are some engaging activities to make the most of your wait:
- Save a Local Treat To Eat At the Gate: Bring food from the place you’re leaving, that may be hard to find elsewhere, and enjoy it at the gate. For example, when leaving Austria, bringing a bag of ‘Manners’ to the airport, (an Austrian wafer cookie that is so hard to find outside of Austria), is a must.
- Explore the Airport: Go on a walk around the airport. You’ll often find interesting exhibitions or artwork on the walls. Plus, it’s a great way to stretch your legs before boarding your flight, and an easy way to soak in a little bit more culture before you leave.
- People Watch: Find a bustling intersection of halls and indulge in some people watching. Airports are fascinating crossroads of stories and cultures.
- Dine In: Try out an airport restaurant. While they can sometimes be pricier, you might stumble upon a hidden gem. It was upon arriving at the Reykjavík airport in Iceland where we discovered ‘Joe & the Juice’ and it has now become a staple.
- Always Carry a Deck of Cards: If you’re traveling solo, a game of Solitaire can be a fun way to pass the time. If you’re with company, a round of cards is always entertaining.
- Journal: Jot down your favorite memories of the place you’re leaving. No matter how big or small, these reflections will become precious keepsakes of your travels. You can keep a physical journal or use an electronic one.
- Make a Playlist: With the extra time, maybe make a playlist that reminds you of the trip, make one for your next flight, make one full of songs that make you feel good, a workout one.. the list is endless. Sometimes the relaxed state of mind allows for a bit of creativity, so choosing music that lifts your spirits can be a good idea to listen to in the future.
Summary
Navigating through TSA doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a little preparation and the right mindset, you can turn what is often seen as a stressful process into a smooth and even enjoyable part of your journey.
Here is a summarized version of the TSA Tips:
Packing Tips:
- Personal Bag: Keep essential ID, boarding pass, socks, lip balm, and sanitizer within easy reach for TSA.
- Carry-On: Organize toiletries (liquids under 3.4oz in a separate bag), electronics (laptop accessible), and unusual items for quick TSA inspection.
Navigating TSA:
- Stay calm and breathe.
- Keep your bins together.
- Wear slip-on shoes (use packed socks).
- Stay calm and repack at your own pace.
Arriving Early:
- Give yourself ample time for unexpected TSA delays (understaffing, machine issues, bag checks, long lines).
- Enjoy your wait by eating local treats, exploring, people-watching, dining, playing cards, journaling, or making playlists.
Remember, the key lies in packing purposefully, managing your time wisely, and making the most of your wait at the gate.
Here’s to an amazingly smooth trip, every step of the way.
As always, sending you lots of love <3
Until Next Time,
Cristina Marie
