Often the process between arriving at the airport and getting to your departure gate can be daunting, but only because travelers tend to make a few mistakes that add unnecessary time to the routine. Here are a few simple things you can do to help expedite your pre-boarding process:
Check in 24 hours in advance
This early check in should be the very first thing you do before your trip! Checking in 24 hours in advance ensures that you will not lose your reservation and will definitely have a seat on your flight. Anything can happen the day of your flight and if you arrive late to the airport the system could prevent you from checking in at all—losing your seat to another passenger. Checking in 24 hours in advance also gives you an advantage over anyone that waits to do it at the airport. It allows you to choose your preferred seat, which gives you a better chance at snagging a seat closer to the front of the plane and helps you avoid getting stuck in a middle seat. It also gives you the opportunity to choose a seat next to any friends you may be traveling with who did not book a ticket on the same reservation.
Download your airline’s app
If you’re a millennial this may seem like a no-brainer. However, if you are not used to operating your life through apps you may not understand the advantage. Having the airline’s app on your phone gives you access to all the information a gate agent or airline phone representative can give you. The app can alert you about gate changes, flight delays and even flight cancellations. In the case that your flight is canceled, the app allows you to choose another flight almost effortlessly. This ability will save you from being on hold for more than 30 minutes as everyone on your flight tries to call the booking agent at the same time. The app can also give you information on travel warnings, advisories and even severe weather. You can even use the app to change your seats, check in and buy new flights. Nearly every airline has a free app available for download.
Avoid counter lines by traveling with just a carry-on
Aside from the security line, the lines at your airline’s counter are what take up most your pre-boarding process. Avoid that line altogether by leaving your large suitcase at home and only traveling with just a carry-on. This practice is best used on busy travel days (think holidays and long weekends) when the airport is more crowded than usual. Traveling with just a carry-on allows you to head straight to the security line when you arrive at the airport. If you choose to follow this advice, it is your responsibility to determine that your carry-on suitcase does in fact comply with your airline’s carry-on dimensions. You can find that information on your airline’s website, or their app. Also, if you do choose to travel with just a carry-on, be sure that your toiletries follow TSA guidelines (visit https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-rule) and that they are all packed together in one bag—it will expedite your search if your bag is chosen.
Pick the right security line
If you have been reading my articles, then you know that I believe every traveler should sign up for TSA pre-check as it truly makes traveling so much easier. Therefore, in my opinion, the “right” security line is the TSA pre-check line. However, if you do not have access to the TSA pre-check line you should use your surroundings to determine which security line will get you through the quickest. There is no rule that says you must use the line that is suggested to you, especially if your departure airport’s terminals are all connected. Use your best judgment to determine which line you should stand in. Pay close attention to the TSA agents working the line. Choose lines that have agents that seem to be moving travelers through quickly or lines that have more than one agent working.
Have your documents ready
If everyone in the world followed this step I’m sure we could cut a fraction of the time people wait in security lines. Don’t be that person who must scramble through their belongings—have your documents ready! That means have your photo ID or passport and boarding pass out and ready to be viewed before you reach the TSA agent. If you are using your passport, have the passport open to the appropriate page. And if you are using your phone to store your boarding pass, have the
app up and ready.
Dress appropriately
On travel days, make everyone’s life easier by choosing an appropriate outfit. By that I mean do not arrive to the airport fully decked out in all your jewels. Wear very little metal so that you will not have to take all those pieces off while standing next to the conveyer belt, holding up the line behind you. If you want to accessorize your outfit, keep those pieces in a little bag in your carry-on so you can put them on as soon as you go through security. Be sure to think about the metal detector when you are choosing your belt that morning too! Traveler’s shoes are also a huge factor when it comes to slowing down security lines. If you are going through the TSA pre-check line, you will be able to keep your shoes on. However, if you are wearing heels or any other shoes with metal in the sole you will be asked to take them off. Avoid slowing down the line down by not wearing those shoes while you’re going through security. If you are going through the regular security line you must take off your shoes. Prepare for that by avoiding shoes that are difficult to remove. That simple!
Have your laptop stored conveniently
No matter if you are going through the regular security line, or through the TSA pre-check line, keep your laptop stored in a place that is easy to access. That way when you must remove it (not all TSA pre-check lines allow you to keep your laptop in your bag) it will take little to no time.
Megan Pinckney (@shadesofpinck) is a retired beauty queen turned lifestyle blogger who loves exploring the world and writing about it.
