6 ways to pass though airport security with the least amount of delay

It is often a bottle-neck in airports and nobody enjoys having to travel through it – airport security – but we all have to do it. Here are half-a-dozen tips to make that experience as fast and as smooth as possible.

There is, however, a simple and inexpensive way to by-pass the queue- and that is Fast Track. Costing less than £10 and often bundled in with extra baggage on budget airlines when buying tickets, or an option to buy when booking airport parking, or on the website of the airport you are flying from (and some can be booked on-site using QR codes in the airport building), this is one ‘luxury’ that is worth the money.

There is a certain smugness that you feel when breezing past the huge queue to get to security – and you are on holiday, you are allowed to fell smug. I have enjoyed this feeling in the past – but I have also arrived at security when there are no queues at all.

Fast Track often has a separate staircase to access the level that security is on, and is then roped off along the same passageway as the non-Fast Track passengers. Make sure you have your Fast Track ticket quick to hand – or open on your phone (it may be part of your airline ticket) as well as your passport and any other documentation that you may need to access security.

Many airports have a ‘family lane’ for those travelling with young children – so check on the airport’s website to see if this is an option for you. It is worth noting that Fast Track only gets you past the queue TO security, not actually THROUGH security any faster. And you may also be wondering why everyone doesn’t do this – I also wonder this.

Modern scanners at airports pick up more than just metal – they look for weapons, explosives, liquids, sharp objects, pills, as well as any other objects that may be hidden on a person’s body.

When you walk through the scanner, you should have nothing in your pockets, including medication such as inhalers, and you should remove your watch. You won’t be wearing your jacket or belt and so your aim should be to walk through the scanner wearing as little as possible – if you know what I mean! Oo-er, missus!

You may be asked to remove your shoes, so you want to wear a pair that are quick and easy to remove and put back on again. But you can reduce the chance of this happening at all by wearing simple tennis shoes, there is less chance of being asked to remove these – and they are also much more comfortable for travelling in. Avoid wearing shoes with steel tips or toe-caps, with metal buckles or zips, or metal nails or segs, or anything out of the ordinary – particularly boots.

The bags don’t have to be marked as containing medical supplies, but this makes everything obvious.

Ice packs are allowed in the hold-luggage, but contact the airline in advance about hand luggage. Contact your airline or oxygen cylinders for both hand luggage and hold luggage.

Baby food, baby milk, and formula are allowed (except frozen breast milk in hand luggage) in containers up to 2000ml when a baby is also present. These should also be highlighted to security staff and in its own bag (which it probably already is).

For more information about travelling from UK airports – https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions/essential-medicines-and-medical-equipment

And from EU airports – https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/security-and-emergencies/airport-airline-security/faq/index_en.htm

And from US airports – https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/i-am-traveling-medication-are-there-any-requirements-i-should-be

They are there to keep you and your fellow travellers safe, and as such, should be treated with the respect they deserve. They are also people – and just with all walks of life, there are those who are helpful and happy, and those who are grumpy and officious. But what-ever type of person the security officer you are dealing with is, be patient, polite, and gracious. Follow their instructions – but do ask for clarification if you don’t understand – it is better to do something right first time.

You may be taken to one side for a reason you do not understand where extra security checks are carried out. Don’t be alarmed by this – it is entirely normal. There may be quotas to be met – a certain number of travellers each day where extra checks are made, or it might just be that the boss has turned up – but whatever the reason, do as you are asked with a smile. Don’t worry that the rest of the people travelling with you have breezed through – they won’t leave without you.

Extra checks can be the removal of shoes, further hand-held detectors for metal and other substances being used, and wipes on your hands for detecting chemicals. Be patient and just do as you are asked – including answering any questions.

You don’t want to stand out. Good manners also includes being sensitive to social norms in that country – this may mean that as a woman you will need to wear clothing that covers your arms and legs. Be aware of wording or slogans or images on your clothing – something which may seem innocuous to you, may be politically or religiously sensitive in that nation. DO NOT wear clothing emblazoned with political statements, no matter how much you believe in them.

All liquids – including jam type food stuffs (which must be sealed), pastes, and cosmetics – must be 100ml or under and add up to no more than 1 litre all together. These must be in a clear plastic bag for travelling through security – you can sort them into bog bags and make-up bags once you arrive at your destination.

Large electronic items, such as tablets and laptops, must be placed – uncovered – separately into a tray too. Make sure the electronics and your clear plastic bag full of liquids are easily accessible from your bag.

The Jacket Trick. You have to empty your pockets before walking through the scanners, so put everything you don’t immediately need – but want quick access to once you are out of security – into the pockets of your jacket. That is, money, watch, inhaler, jewellery, phone, etc. Once you have walked through the scanner and you are grabbing your stuff from the trays, you know most of your valuables are in your jacket, and you are not scrambling around at the bottom of the tray, lifting out coins and keys.

ETIAS – the EU visa – will come into force later in 2024 for non-EU citizens and will require application BEFORE travelling and will cost EUR 7. This can be done on the ETIAS website or mobile app – full information can be found HERE. It is also worth noting that the EES system will also be in effect in the EU in 2024 which is doing away with manual stamping of passports and will involve submitting biometric details at your port of entry – facial recognition details and electronically scanned finger-prints.

Whatever is needed, make sure you have your travel documents – including boarding passes on your phone, certificates, and passport open at the page containing your details, ready as you approach the passport control desk at airport security. This is normally situated just before the hand luggage checks.

There may be a cursory check, or it may be a more detailed operation – but either way DO NOT MOVE onto the next part of airport security until you have been handed back your documents and you are given permission to do so.

Don’t try to smuggle something through that might cause alarm – such as a cigarette lighter shaped like a hand grenade. Or something which may be against local laws, like archaeological artefacts – these can carry heavy prison sentences and fines. Just don’t do it.

DO NOT JOKE about bombs, guns, being a terrorist, hijacking, drugs or anything else you might immediately regret as you are hauled off in handcuffs for an unexpected stay in a foreign prison and an expensive fine.