For more than a decade, the sheer act of getting through airport security has become the world’s most hated part of traveling. Ask anybody who’s flown on a plane since 9-11 and you’ll likely get an earful about the hardships of simply trying to get on your darn plane. Even if things go according to plan, you still have to run a gauntlet of crowded lines, removed shoes, and grumpy passengers. It sucks. Of course, if you head into the TSA line outfitted with the right clothes, you can make your next security stop much less aggravating, for you and the other passengers around you.
1. DON’T Wear a Skirt
Stick to pants when you’re going through the security line or you’ll likely make yourself a target for pat downs. TSA agents are obligated to make sure that your flowing skirt isn’t hiding some contraband. If you don’t want to get felt up by some nine-to-fiver (who will hate it as much as you do) then it’s probably a good idea to save the dress or skirt for after you get off the plane.
2. DO Leave the Metal Bracelets and Necklaces at Home
This one seems like a no-brainer, but you’ll obviously want to avoid wearing bulky jewelry — necklaces, bracelets, watches, earrings, etc — on your way through the airport. Not only is jewelry a great way to set off metal detectors, it can also be time-consuming as heck to remove and then put back on. That means inconveniencing the people around you.
3. DON’T Wear a Belt
When it comes down to it, a belt is just one more thing you’ll have to take on and off before and after heading through the metal detector. If at all possible, consider just packing your belt in your suitcase. If you absolutely must have a belt, just toss it in your carry-on and put it on once you’re through security.
4. DON’T Do Anything Fancy With Your Hair
The longer your hair is, the less you should do with it. Updos might get you singled out because they could be hiding some kind of illicit substances. Too many bobby pins in your hair might set off the metal detector, which could get you pulled aside. In the eyes of a TSA agent, even long, flowing hair holds the possibility of some possible harm.
5. DO Leave the Lace-Ups At Home
Unless your a geriatric or you’re in a wheelchair, you’ll likely need to take your shoes off when approaching security. So, unless you want to eat up valuable minutes unlacing your boots or tennis shoes, you should consider just wearing some slip-ons.
6. DON’T Wear Clothes With Tons of Pockets
When you get ready to go through security, you’ll be asked to take all the metal and random accoutrements out of your pockets. The more pockets you have, the more likely you’ll forget to take something out of one of them. Even more, the more pockets you have, the more likely they’ll seem suspicious to an overzealous TSA agent.
7. DON’T Wear Overly Complicated Fashion
Just like with your lace-ups, a lot of buckles or zippers on your clothes and shoes can be a huge time-waster. The more time it takes you to walk through the scanner, the more steam the people behind you in line will build up.
8. DO Wear Clean Socks
Since you can count on having to take your shoes off, you should know that you’re going to be walking around without them for at least a few feet. Do yourself a favor and avoid cold, dirty feet by wearing a pair of socks, and do the other passengers a favor by making sure those socks are relatively clean and odor free. It’s only polite.
9. DO Wear Easily Removable Layers
The more layers you’re wearing when you try to get through the scanner, the tougher a time you’ll have. As a result, it’s probably a good idea to make sure that you’re wearing as few layers as possible. If you need to wear a hoodie, make sure it’s a zip up so you can easily put it on and take it off.
10. DON’T Wear an Underwire Bra
Far it be it for a guy to say what kind of bra a woman should or should not wear, but you should understand that if you wear an underwire bra, you’re upping your chances of tripping the metal detectors.
11. DON’T Wear Anything Offensive
Listen, you might think that your hoodie featuring a picture of Johnny Cash flipping the bird is hilarious and awesome (and you’d be right), but it’s got no place in the security line unless you’re hoping to draw a lot of attention to yourself. Outspoken social or cultural statements will unwittingly turn you into a target for TSA harassment.
12. DON’T Leave Liquids and Gels in Your Carry-On
It’s best to try and either check or simply not bring any kind of styling product like gels or hairspray. If you’re the kind of person who likes to keep a bottle of water on you, you can always carry an empty one through security and then get it filled once you’re through security. In fact, a lot of restaurants on the other side of security will fill up your water bottle with ice and water for free.
13. DO Wear a Smile
Okay, it seems incredibly cheesy, but when you head through security it’s always a good idea to try and be the one upbeat person in line. Don’t overdo it, of course, but you’d be amazed how much easier getting past a TSA agent can be when you don’t act like they’re single-handedly ruining your vacation. TSA Agents are people, too, and after an endless line of muttering grumps going past them, it’s often nice for an agent to see someone who understands they’re just doing their job.
