How has your US airport security experience been?

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Norwicâ™¥fruit

Getting through the airport security on the last flight I took wasn't that bad. Yes, we had to stand it line, yes we had to empty everything out of our pockets and take off our shoes and let them go under the scanner too, but everything moved smoothly. Of course I guess it's all about how you look at it..Is your glass half full or half empty?; If you're pessimistic about everything anyway, then it will be pure hell for you, but if you're optimistic about things it will be a breeze..If you are in the middle of the two just remember they are doing this for YOUR protection. I'd rather be safe than sorry...So pack those bags, get to the airport, wear a smile, and get in line!
And most importantly ENJOY YOUR TRIP!!

popofosho

IT WAS GREAT! I used to work for airport security lol.

just be nice and dont expect the worse, people with bad attitudes usually have bad expierences.

have a good trip. P.S. no matter what happens just remember NO ONE IS PICKING ON YOU!

bstrong.

Ugh it's extremely annoying. The people who search your stuff are so extremely rude and obnoxious. I hate it so much.. one time they took my suitcase before putting it on that conveyor belt thingy and they opened it and dumped like everything out, in front of tons of people.. people saw my like spongebob boxers and everything. So embarrassing!! and they searched every little nook and cranny of my suitcase. Then they were like "okay now pack it back up" .. I just gave them a really fierce dirty look...

Some airports are better than others, but the 3 I've been in (NYC-JFK, Washington O'Reagan, and Miami) were nuts.
Oh yeah and the unpacking incident happened in Miami.

Matthew D

First the TSA website can tell you what the wait time you can expect is.
Second, these folks are just doing their job. It is not their fault for any inconveniences we experience.
The best thing to do is prepare to go through security BEFORE you get in line. I actually had a TSA agent thank me for doing this once on a busy day when people were waiting until right before the detectors to get everything ready.
Wear slip on shoes.
After checking in, head to a bench near security and get all your metal items off and either into your carry-on of a plastic bag. Change, belts (I got padded down once because I forgot to take my belt off).
If you have a laptop, take it out of your bag.
When you get to security place your objects and carry-on in a tub and (if you have one) the laptop in a seperate tub.
You will walk right through grab your items, move away and put yourself back together. If you do this, going through secutiry takes about 10 seconds. It's all the people who wait or do not know the rules that slow thigns down.
If you get pulled aside for a random check, just listen and follow what they ask. It's not a big deal, and is truly random.

Coolmama

It is pretty basic. I fly out of O Hare. Take your shoes off, don't wear certain underwire bras if it is wire and not that plastic underwire because it sets off the detector. Don't wear metal jewelry. Very basic. We travel with our kids all the time and you would not believe the toys that show up in the xray machine and they search our bag and it turns out to be a starwars thing that looks like a blade on the screen. Be aware of that.

FavoredbyU

So far so good. I only got sent to secondary (extra checking) once, but that was because my ID was expired and I didn't know it...and i travel 10x a year for work...

xxdonxxrodrigoxx

Airport security is actually pretty ok. I'm glad it's there,,, All you gotta do is pretty much follow all instructions. Anything with metals has to come off your body so that you won't get into any mishaps. Belts, earrings, rings, watches, buckled shoes,, cigarettes..... Anything that has metal on it,, you might wanna prep them when you get in line so that it's not much of a hassle..

Happy trip and have a great day!

Joy H

You'll need to have your photo ID (best if government-issued like driver's license, state ID, military ID) out and available when you check in at the ticket counter and again at security (along with your boarding card). DON"T make any kind of jokes or comments about bombs on planes or anything like that...those folks have NO sense of humor about such things (the stakes are too high). Don't try to strike up a conversation with the security folks, they need to concentrate on the task at hand (just do what they tell you with no "attitude"). You'll most likely have to take off your shoes and any jacket/coat you're wearing, so plan for simplicity, stuff that's easy to take off/put on. Also your cell phone/pager/Blackberry/laptop will have to go in a bin or bowl, also some watches, belts and metal jewelry may set off the detector so some folks take those off too. You have to put pretty much everything into a little grey bin (or 2 or 3) that then goes through the X-ray and they'll look into your bags that way. If you need to take any kinds of liquids with you (hand lotion, mouthwash,etc.) keep it in small containers (travel size) and I believe the current limit is 3 oz. of liquids total, and you must have it in a ziplock-type bag, so have it that way in your purse or whatever bag you carry on with you.

When it's your turn to walk through the portal, an official will motion to you to do so, so don't try to walk through until they do. Also don't touch the sides of the portal, just walk through without touching it.

DON'T take bottled water, they'll make you throw it out (have to buy it AFTER going through security if you want it). Best to have a bag/purse you can zip shut and don't overstuff since the bag will go through security and sometimes stuff falls out if not secured well. I always put my shoes/coat in the first bin and my purse in the last one that I use so I am sure I am through the portal before my purse (so **I** get my purse at the other end and not someone else). They have a little area where you can sit down after going through and put yourself back together (shoes, jacket, belt etc.) You may feel like you've half-stripped in front of strangers....that's the way I feel but it's part of the world we live in now.

After you go through security do a mental check to make sure you haven't left anything behind...they are not likely to call after you unless it's really obvious (a big coat) ...and you don't want to leave your watch, cell phone etc. behind (that stuff they ask you to put in a bowl before you walk through the portal).

The rule of thumb is to allow at least one hour to get through security for domestic flights and 1.5 to 2 hrs for international flights, but I'd recommend more time if you're travelling around peak holiday travel times. Take a good paperback book or small portable game or something to entertain yourself while you're waiting, you'll find it's much easier to be patient when you're entertained!

Happy travels, you're doing the right thing to prepare in advance!

Mean Mr. Clean

Well, I once had a very pretty security office give me the old rubber glove treatment up the wazoo.....I guess that was sort of cool.

Honestly, now

I found it intrusive and irrelevant. I stopped flying after 9-11. It's all about creating the ilusion of safety. Anybody can drive onto the tarmac and put a package on the plane. I used to be a courier and do that all the time. I take trains now just to avoid airport security.

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