how to speed through security (if you don’t have TSA Pre-check)

Picture this: you’ve just arrived at the airport, lugging your nearly-overfilled backpack and carry-on suitcase behind you. You say goodbye to your parents or partner (or, if you’re like me and often go to the airport alone, the Uber driver) who dropped you off at the curb. Your next step: brave the security lines that are wrapped like spaghetti noodles twirled three lines thick around a fork.

Once you’ve passed the TSA agent who scans your passport, you step up to the conveyor belt of nightmares. The TSA agent yells at you to take your large electronics out of your bag, to take your shoes off, your belt off, your watch and jewelry off. You’re struggling to do as they say, pushing your things along as people line up behind you.

Here are some tips to get through security more quickly and make it a smoother and less anxiety-filled experience.

1. Take out pertinent items BEFORE getting in line.

Take your jacket, belt, jewelry, and watch off and your phone, laptop, and passport out BEFORE you get in the security line. Put them in a small, separate bag like this one that folds up neatly into a little square and is easily packable.

There are usually benches or chairs in the pre-security area where you can put down your stuff. This way, you don’t have to balance your backpack on your knees as you’re trying to take everything out when you’re in front of the security conveyor belt. You can simply set the bag down that has all of the items that need to go through the x-ray machine.

Then, you can pick it up at the end and repack your stuff once you’ve gotten away from the chaos of the security check area.

2. Travel with a backpack that has a separate laptop pocket.

Get a backpack, like this one (affiliate link) or this one, with a section that zips separately from the rest of your bag and store your large electronics (laptop, tablet, etc.) there, so you can open it and take them out without needing to dig through the rest of your stuff to get to the back where the laptop pocket is typically located.

3. Wear sandals, strap-on shoes, or shoes that are otherwise easy to slip off and on.

Your biggest enemy when you’re going through security is going to be shoes that are difficult to take off. You don’t want to wrestle with shoelaces, straps, or a difficult heel tab.

The best shoes for getting through security quickly will be ones that slip on and off easily, like sandals, sneakers without laces, or boots with side zippers.

Birkenstocks or similar sandals are a popular option with travelers because they’re both versatile and fashionable. You can also wear socks with Birkenstocks without drawing too much ire from the fashion police if you’re uncomfortable having your bare feet touch the airport floor.

I’ve made the mistake of wearing Converse high-top sneakers to the airport because I wanted to bring cute but comfortable shoes on my trip, but ended up regretting it because it took me ages to take them off at security, so consider your shoe choices seriously!

4. Catch a super early morning flight (if you can).

This is a tip for way before you even arrive at the airport, but it’s a good strategy to consider if you haven’t booked your flight yet.

Fewer people tend to fly on early-morning flights (and it’s not hard to understand why), so the airport will be less crowded and the lines will be shorter.

Since there will be fewer people going through security, you likely won’t feel the pressure to move through at a breakneck speed in order to avoid holding people up.

Implement these tips for your next trip and see how much less stressful going through security can be. After that, head to your gate to catch your flight!