1) Get Thru Lines Faster: Avoid the epic lines all together by signing up for TSA PreCheck ($85 for 5 years) or Global Entry ($100 for 5 years), NEXUS ($50 for 5 years) that fast tracks you through security. I’ve gotten through security lines in five minutes that took other people two hours! Sure, there are some steps you have to take and the cost, but isn’t it worth $17 a year for five years ( TSA Pre-Check) to avoid those huge lines?
2) Get to the Airport 2 to 3 Hours Before Flight: The TSA is saying forget about the old advice of getting to the airport an hour before your flight boards, saying now you often need to arrive at the airport least 2 to 3 hours early to get through the longer lines and make your flight.
3) Research Before You Fly: A quick Google search or social media search ( #IHateTheWait) will let you now what airports are seeing the longest security lines so you can plan accordingly. It’s no surprise you’re often seeing the longest lines in the largest airports like Los Angeles International Airport, Chicago’s Midway, New York’s JFK and La Guardia, New Jersey’s Newark, and Seattle’s Sea-Tac, but smaller airports are also feeling the crunch, so don’t let the size of an airport fool you.
4) Look for Shorter Lines: Don’t just go to the first security line you see if that line is long. As a TSA agent if there’s a shorter line somewhere else. Wouldn’t you rather walk a little more to another gate then be stuck standing in line for an extra hour or two?
5) Pick Your Line Carefully: When it’s your turn to go through security quickly check out who is in front of you and don’t get behind the family with a bunch of kids, or someone who is untying their shoes or looks confused like they don’t fly often. Instead pick the line where it looks like there are business travelers, people who know what they’re doing, because that line is going to move a lot faster.
