As a productivity keynote speaker, my business takes me across the US and beyond most weeks and a regular part of every week is getting through the airport security line. Here are a few strategoes to help you make your time waiting more productive.
Print boarding passes out at home – avoid the long lines at the airport check in by printing out the boarding pass up to 24 hours before your flight. You can check your seat, change it if necessary and then print it out at home.
Get ID quickly – before I get out of my car or taxi I find my photo ID and my boarding pass and have them in my hands for the security agent the moment I meet them.
Get organized in your car or taxi – before I leave my car, rental car shuttle or taxi I pull out of my bag my laptop and toiletries bag. This way I don’t have to open the bag again in the security line and I am ready and waiting to be processed.
Choose wisely – find an outfit you can wear every time you travel with minimum zips, buttons or catches that will allow you to move smoothly through the line without feeling like you are as you pass through the security sensor.
Wear socks or pantyhose – don’t allow your feet to touch the floor of the airport and think about wearing some protection on your feet when you have to remove your shoes.
Choose your shoes well – find slip on type shoes that will allow you to quickly remove them before the security sensor and place them on when they have been x-rayed. Don’t waste time feeling awkward trying to do up laces, zippers on boots or straps on sandals.
Minimize jewellery – find jewellery that won’t set off the sensors, wear the same items each time you travel so it is one less thing you need to remove in the security line.
Ziploc only – make sure every possible gel, liquid and cream is in this bag. Save yourself time by complying with this rule to avoid bag checks and more wasted time waiting in lines.
Smile – understand these people are trying to do their jobs to keep us all safe, make their lives easier and your trip more pleasant by smiling at them and greeting them whenever you can.
Take reading material – some lines are very long at certain times in the day and times through the year. Be prepared to wait and take a book or magazine to help you pass the time. This is a great opportunity on catching up on all those journals you have been ‘meaning to read’.
Apply these simple guidelines today and your next trip through security at the airport will be more productive.
