Proper Airport Security Etiquette
Sometimes checking into your flight can be more frustrating than a blind date. But before you fly the unfriendly skies, check out these 3 easy do’s and don’ts for getting through airline security.
Richie Frieman
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Proper Airport Security Etiquette
Modern Manners Guy Richie Frieman on How to Navigate Airport Security
The other week I wrote about proper airplane etiquette and was happy to see through emails and Facebook postings that my personal issues are shared by many.
Although I could have included the etiquette rules of the security check-in line in that article, I felt it deserved its own separate treatment.
Proper Airport Security Etiquette
I will openly admit that my initial reason for doing this topic was to shout my grievances to the world about how much I dislike the security line at airports. However, I need to keep a more neutral stance and concede that there are always two sides to every argument. I mean, after all, maybe I’m wrong that the line should move faster? Maybe we should get full body searches as if we’re all smuggling illegal substances? And maybe that elderly couple who can hardly walk, let alone assault someone, is a danger to society? Who knows, right?
Thankfully, when it comes to proper airport security etiquette, we can all be a part of the solution.
With that, have your ID and flight information ready, take out all items from your pockets, remove your shoes, socks, sweatshirts, the titanium in your hip from your surgery, your laptop, iPhone and your soul and enjoy my top 3 Quick and Dirty Tips for proper airport security etiquette:
Tip #1 – Arrive Early
As I write this, I’m planning my trip to Chicago next week. As much as I love Chicago, I am dreading the security line at the airport in Baltimore. I have to say that of all the airports I’ve ever traveled through, Baltimore Washington International (BWI) is the worst. I know that’s not very mannerly to say but it helps to prove my first point – always show up early.
Being early to airports will ensure that you get through the security line in a reasonable amount of time and make your flight. After all, the airlines wait for no one. They don’t care if you are just a minute late or if you got held up for an hour because your great Aunt Trudy’s wheelchair had to be screened for bombs. The plane has to leave on time. I respect that. No one wants to be the reason a plane is delayed – it’s a nightmare domino effect – so arriving to the airport early is the best way to make sure everyone has a smooth transition through the security line.
If you find yourself planning a trip, give yourself two hours before the plane leaves. Too much time? Some would say so, but I will say it’s a heck of a lot easier to arrive early to the airport than get there and see the security line is wrapped around the perimeter of the entire airport. I once traveled during Christmas (a bad idea, I know) and it felt as though I was in the line for a free iPad or something. If we all arrived early, the security lines would move more efficiently because they do adjust for people who arrive late. You know those people, they get to go ahead of everyone like they are so special when really the airport security doesn’t want them to hold up the airplane from leaving on time. I can’t stand when that happens.
Tip #2 – Dress the Part
In a recent article about Proper Job Interview Etiquette, and as I discussed on FOX Extra the other week, I mentioned dressing the part to land a job. Although, I’m not saying dress like a security guard to fit in (that will never go well), I am saying to dress specifically for the security line. Traveling, like any industry, has its preferred dress code, which – like on “casual Fridays” – some people can incorrectly execute (i.e. the revealing belly shirt to the office). I’ve found that when you dress ready to maneuver through the security line (bonus points if you can undress quickly), you’d be surprised how much smoother the security lines can be.
A lot of times when traveling, you have to go somewhere else right away after landing at your destination. With quick business trips, you usually dress for the upcoming meeting. With family vacations, you usually dress ready to go to your hotel as soon as you land. And even with the romantic getaway, you may dress ready for a fun night out. Still, I recommend dressing to make it through the security line first, and worrying about what you’ll be wearing second. Yes, you can wear loads of jewelry, a nice coat, high heels with many straps, and carry everything you need in your pocket. But the proper thing to do is to pack that stuff in your carry-on and wear more “security-friendly” clothing. After all, they will ask you to remove it anyway and it will only hold up the line and annoy everyone behind you if it takes you forever to get past the checkpoint. You can change and look good after you get out of the line.
Tip #3 – Take a Deep Breath
The final tip is simple – know that airline security will be rough. No matter how well you prepare, the line will always be annoying. People will be mad, they will be in a hurry, and they will complain. Kids will cry, teenagers will be texting, and the busy business person will refuse to get off their crackberry. It’s like dealing with traffic, you can leave early, you can be fully gassed up, but one person talking on their cellphone who rear ends the car in front of them, can ruin it for us all.
As I said in my previous article, air travel is not glamorous and the security line is the epitome of frustrating. More often than not, people will be unfriendly – whether it’s fellow passengers or the unsmiling FAA drones looking at your license as if you are on America’s Most Wanted.
Sometimes I wonder if they had a bar before the security check-in rather than after, it could save a lot of aggravation and make the whole process much more tolerable.
There are no surprises here, no velvet ropes to sneak under – it’s a security line and they have a job to do. They are not there to be your friends and, frankly, couldn’t care less if you have an enjoyable trip. Their job is about safety. So, expecting comfortable, special treatment is a colossal waste of time. Take a Zen approach to the security line and realize patience is a virtue…Namaste.
Related: Check out Get-It-Done Guy’s tips on the best web tools to make air travel easy
Do you have a great story about a trip through airline security? Post all the details in Comments below. As always, if you have another manners question, I look forward to hearing from you at manners@quickanddirtytips.comcreate new email. Check out my Modern Manners Guy Facebook page, follow me on Twitter @MannersQDT, and of course, check back next week for more Modern Manners Guy tips.