TSA....

Okay...so much to write on this topic.  It's a hot button issue with these new body scanners.  But I want to focus on making your TSA experience easier.  I also would like to point out my Toronto, Canada experience from yesterday- They had signs that said "Please Allow Flight Crews to Advance" in their checkpoint lines.  Thank you YYZ & USA- take note that's awesome :)


Okay...so one of the reasons that American's are against these scanners is because of the invasive, graphic, images the body scanners produce.  The whole point of these machines are to detect explosives, drugs & other contraband hidden on (or inside) the passenger that the outdated metal detectors are unable to detect.  The images are not stored anywhere & only TSA has access to the images.

Well....they take too long & make the lines longer than they are now....No my friends the TSA checkpoints do not take a long time. Its PEOPLE going through the checkpoints who must have been living in a cave for the last 10 years and act like TSA is a surprise that make the line take a long time.  To be fair- there are a lot of people who don't travel often & although it may seem like the rules are always changing- passengers have not prepared themselves for this battle prior to arriving.


So for you infrequent travelers:

1. Visit www.tsa.gov to see what you can & cannot take with you through the security checkpoints.
2. Remember 3-1-1 to speed your checkpoint process. You hear this at the checkpoint- but by this point it's a little late in speeding your checkpoint process don't ya think? Before you leave for the airport...All liquids must be in 3oz or less containers and fit into ONE 1-quart sized clear ziptop bag.  Just go with the Ziploc ones so you know its the right size. 3-1-1 :) I suggest just going to get a box of the Ziploc baggies & put with your luggage. Label the box "3-1-1" so you will remember this during packing. You can even go as far as taking a marker and writing "3-1-1" on the actual clear bag.
3. Put your filled "311" baggie in your carry-on. Be sure to place it on top or in a pocket that is easiest to access. This way- you can just put your carry-on on the security belt & pull the bag out.  No digging around.  You have to take the liquids out of your carry-on, otherwise they'll have to re-run your stuff and further inspect your luggage....sooo don't be that person who holds up the line...people will hate you.
4. Again....be sure you do not have anything in your carry-on that is not permitted through security. If you think that maybe it's not allowed because it could be used by a terrorist as a weapon- then you shouldn't pack it.  If you need it- then plan to check your bag (more on the checked bags thing later) check the TSA website if you are in doubt.
5. What to wear for your big travel day: Wear whatever you want.  The key is wearing shoes that slip on/off. Before it's your turn to put your stuff up on the belt....have your jewelry, keys, wallet, & phones in your purse or briefcase.  You'll be less likely to forget it at the checkpoint if it's already in your bag.
6. Put your large rolling bag up on the belt first.  Then your laptop bag, then your laptop (be sure to take that out).  All the stuff you have to put back on (shoes, belt, hat etc) should go up last.  When you get through- pull your suitcase down from the belt. Put your laptop bag on it ready to insert the laptop.  Then you have allll your bags together & ready to take your bin of stuff over to a seat and get put back together. (don't leave the gray containers at the end of the checkpoint belt.....stack them up to make room for people behind you to move down.)
7. Put yourself back together at the seats conveniently provided AWAY from the security belt to allow people behind you to move along. 

I know it sounds hard....but it's really not.  Watch flight crews do this a few times & you'll see that we don't get through fast because we're crew & got to get ahead in line. We get through faster because we've done this a zillion times & have figured out the most efficient way in doing so!


Happy Traveling!