Getting stuck in airport security isn’t just an irritation. These days, with so many passengers travelling with just a carry-on bag, a backlog of cases waiting to be checked manually can quickly build up. If you make a mistake and are pulled aside for additional screening, you might just miss your flight.
So take the stress out of the process by preparing thoroughly and following the airport security rules. Here’s how.
Sail through airport security in 7 easy steps
- Get your packing right
- Arrive at the airport in good time
- Go through security as soon as you can
- Put your laptop/tablet in a tote bag
- Make your final preparations while you’re queuing
- Don’t joke with the staff
- Leave plenty of extra time for US flight pre-clearance
1. Get your packing right
A little bit of forward thinking goes a long way. Take a bit more time to properly prep your case, rather than throwing things in haphazardly, and you’ll speed up the screening process significantly.
First, you should double check the list of items banned from cabin baggage. For example, a knife with a sharp blade longer than 6cm is not permitted. Then prepare your liquids. It’s these that are the most frequent cause of delay in airport security.
Remember, everything should be in bottles smaller than 100ml, and contained in a clear, sealed 1-litre plastic bag. In some, but not all, airports these bags are provided free of charge; but you’ll save time if you’ve got your own, pre-packed.
Without exception, this bag must come out of your carry-on case and be placed in the screening tray, so pack it where you can find it quickly. Don’t think this rule is optional, by the way. Lots of travellers end up waiting for an extra baggage inspection as a result.
Note: mothers with babies can take larger quantities of drinks through security. But they are often asked to prove their authenticity, which inevitably slows their progress.
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2. Arrive at the airport in good time
You never want to be rushing to, or through, an airport. You might face traffic on the journey, or an exceptionally long queue at security. And you can never rely on skipping ahead of the line if you’re running late. It’s always best to err on the side of caution. Killing time with an airside coffee is far better than missing your flight. Generally, plan on arriving at least 90 minutes before a short-haul flight (add an extra 30 minutes if you’re parking a car), and three hours in advance for a long-haul journey.
If you know your time will be tight, then consider paying for access to the Fast Track security lane. In Dublin airport, this must be booked in advance and costs €5.95 – €7.99, depending on the time and date, and promises to get you through security screening in 10 minutes (provided your bags are in order). This is worth considering on the return journey too: especially if you’re flying from a busy airport such as London Stansted.
3. Go through security as soon as you can
No matter how desperate you are for a bite to eat, always go through airport security as soon as possible. Generally, the amenities are far better post-security anyway, so don’t waste your time with a coffee in arrivals or a browse in the shops. The one exception? A visit to the bathroom. Aa security pat down is no fun if you’re dying for the loo.
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4. Put your laptop/tablet in a tote bag
All laptops and any electronic devices larger than a phone have to be clearly displayed, outside both your carry-on bag, and their protective cases. So put these items in a slim canvas tote bag before you get into the security queue, so they can be quickly unpacked. Then, when you’re done you can roll it up and tuck it, along with the items, back into your luggage.
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5. Make your final preparations while you’re queuing
There’s almost always a line at security, so use this waiting time to get yourself prepped. As your turn approaches, take your belt and jacket off, empty your trouser pockets into your jacket pockets, and take your shoes off if needs be (not every airport requires you to do so unless you’re wearing boots, so take a look ahead of you to make sure). Don’t wait until you reach the front of the line to start faffing around – it’s a waste of everyone’s time. And don’t wear shoes or boots that are fiddly to take off.
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6. Don’t joke with the staff
There are certain places where you should never crack a joke, and an airport is one of them (US customs is another). Joking about there being a weapon in your bag will, at the very least, lead to you getting booted off the flight and into the company of a police officer. Airport staff have a zero tolerance policy to any kind of quips, so save your stand-up routine for a different audience.
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7. Leave plenty of extra time for US flight pre-clearance
If you’re flying directly to the States from Dublin or Shannon, you’ll be clearing US customs while on Irish soil. While this is a huge bonus (you land in the USA as a domestic flight would, therefore skipping the long immigration lines at airports such as JFK and LAX), you must allow extra time to complete the process.
The TSA precheck at Dublin airport is done after you have completed the regular security process, so you’ll need to factor in this time. Once you’re through security, make your way to the airport’s US Pre-Clearance area. You’ll be told the best time to do so upon check-in. There, you’ll have to go through a separate TSA security screening, so keep your liquids bag and laptop/tablet handy.
There are duty-free shops and cafés on the other side, so don’t waste valuable time in Departures when you should be making your way to Pre-Clearance. You never know how long the lines will be.
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