Getting Through Airport Security With Less Stress

Pack for the tray, not just the trip

Put liquids, laptops and anything metal in one accessible place. Digging through a full bag while a queue builds behind you is the main cause of checkpoint stress.

A small pouch for cables, chargers and power banks helps, since dense electronics bundles are a common reason for a bag being pulled for a manual check.

Liquids rules are not identical everywhere

Some airports have newer scanners and relaxed rules, others do not, and airports in the same country can differ. Packing to the stricter standard means you are fine in both cases.

Medication and baby food generally have exceptions, but they usually need to be declared rather than hidden in the bag.

Dress for the checkpoint

Belts, heavy jewellery and boots with metal add time. Slip on shoes and a light layer you can remove quickly make more difference than any queue strategy.

Empty your pockets before you reach the belt, not at it.

• Liquids bag on top and easy to reach
• Laptop in its own sleeve near the opening
• Power banks in the cabin bag, never checked
• Boarding pass and passport in one hand, everything else stowed

If you are travelling with children

Many airports have a family lane, and it is usually worth asking even when it is not signposted. Staff are generally used to helping with prams and car seats.

Give yourself extra time rather than extra speed. Rushing children through a checkpoint rarely works and it makes the rest of the day harder.

After the checkpoint

Repack properly before you walk off. Two minutes at the repack bench prevents the lost phone and forgotten laptop problem, which is more common than most people realise.

Then check the departure board again. Gate numbers change, and the board after security is usually the most current one you will see.