As authorities tighten security at airports in the wake of several airport attacks, lines are becoming unbearable, ‘to pass airport security with ease’ is the new watchword, especially for most international destinations.

 

You could continue to ease on out of the queue at each stop, but wait times aren’t just a concern for travelers; airliners’ business activities are slowed  down by the long waits, which could last throughout the day.

 

Finding that the dude ahead of you is tad slow could be infuriating, more so not being able to check a bag. So, how do you pass airport security with ease?

Place your jewelry inside your carry-on bag

When ill at ease that your precious gem might set off the walk-through metal detector alarm, it is advisable to place them somewhere safe than to end up without them. Unlike wallets, bags and other items which carry identification information on them, calling out a passenger over the intercom to return for their jewelries could be difficult when they leave them behind unknowingly. The worst that can happen is being subjected to secondary screening when you have them in your bag.

Know the standard maximum exterior dimension for checked luggage

You wouldn’t want your luggage deemed too large for the overhead bins or under-seat by your preferred airliner, which could be worse than failing a security check. Every airline lists what the maximum size of a luggage can be checked. When in possession of excess bag and baggage, you may have to pay for an over-sized baggage. The general size is 62″ (the sum of all your bag’s dimensions) but it’s advisable to carry less.

[The tweet above was part of updates by DJ, songwriter and producer Ramble Jon Krohn, better known by his stage name RJD2. The American musician took to Tweeter after his carry-on was rejected by American Airlines, saying it “need to meet the under-seat dimensions.”]

Don’t take prohibited items along

You can find a list of items that are prohibited on most airport authority websites like the TSA (in case you are headed for the United States). Depending on which part of the world you will be traveling to (as well as the period), some items are strictly prohibited while you may be allowed to take some quantities of other items along.

Keep your boarding pass and ID in sight

The former will help you get into the plane and the latter will help you return to the check-in point to retrieve any item you might have forgotten.

Check in online

Where available, spare yourself of unnecessary wait time by checking over the internet – works best if you will be traveling light and wouldn’t need to check bags.

Don’t clutter your bag space

Stow everything else you won’t need out of reach so you can concentrate on others required for you to secure a seat on the airplane.

Put your ID, credit card and boarding pass (if applicable) in an easy-to-reach part of your wallet before going to the airport

This will help you not to forget these important items at home where you need them the least. The other being that you don’t waste other passengers’s, airline agents’ and, even your own time searching clumsily for them when you need them most.

Arrange necessary documents (according to their relevance) before you take your turn

Before getting in line to check in, bring out all the items and documentations required of you, so you don’t make anyone wait for too long.

Take stock of things you need take charge of before you step in front of the security line

When you get to the checkpoint, do a quick review of your stock and roll straight into action, like: replacing your steel-shank-plated shoe with a pair of slippers from your carry-on bag, bringing out liquid, your laptop (and other electronic) from your bag.

Place items that require extra scrutiny in the divest tray separately

If you are carrying a walking stick, blunt-tipped scissors or a coin purse, place them in the divest tray separately. It allows for quick an easy assessment and, when required, interrogation, if the x-ray operator should have any question about these items without having to call for a bag check.