Traveling may be a glamorous activity, but enduring the airport check-in process and security screening is not. Unfortunately, these are unavoidable aspects of travel and ones that cause a great deal of anxiety and frustration for many. Having traveled quite a bit, I am now able to discern the experienced travelers from those that only fly a few times a year. Infrequent flyers often have a puzzled look on their face and tend to stare up towards the ceiling as if the answers they need will appear there. They are also the ones who approach the ticket counter and begin spelling their name to the agent rather than handing over their ID, the ones who are shocked to learn they have to pay to check a bag, who don’t understand why they missed their flight when they show up 15 minutes before departure, those who are surprised to learn they have to remove their shoes before entering the security scanner, and those who don’t know how to handle a flight mishap such as a delay or cancellation. Not judging, just relaying a few observations I’ve made over the years!

To avoid calling attention to the fact that you’re not the most experienced traveler and to fend off eye rolls from the frequent flyers, here are some tips and tricks that will help you travel like a pro!

PACK RIGHT

Improving your check-in and security experience starts before you ever arrive at the airport. Remember, you’re only allowed to take two bags on board with you and they have to fall within certain dimensions.  If you’re checking bags, which I highly suggest you don’t if you can avoid it, they must be within the airline’s weight limits (usually 50 lbs). Keep this in mind and put some thought and organization into your packing so you’re not scrambling and rearranging when you reach the airport!

CHECK IN ONLINE

These days, most airlines offer online check-in a whole 24 hours before your trip! Many also have apps that make this process even easier, allowing you to download your boarding pass directly to your mobile device. You can do just about everything on these apps from checking in, to changing your seat, to finding your gate, and even checking your flight status to make sure it’s running on time. You won’t even need to see an agent when you arrive at the airport, which buys you a little extra time and allows you to head straight security.

GIVE YOURSELF TIME

Most airlines recommend arriving 90 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights. If you’re traveling internationally, the recommended arrival time is 3 hours prior. I’m known for cutting it a bit close and usually  only arrive 45 minutes to an hour early for domestic travel and 90 minutes early for my international flights. I’m very familiar with the New York airports, so I know where I can push it time wise. But when I’m abroad or in an unfamiliar city, I like to give myself a little extra time to account for any delays I might encounter. If you’re not an experienced flyer, I highly recommend giving yourself as much time as possible. Traveling is stressful enough without adding the extra worry of potentially missing your flight because you’re running late!

DON’T CHECK BAGS

If you insist on checking a bag, which I strongly advise against, then you’re going to want to give yourself enough time to do so. Most airlines have a cutoff time for checking bags. Check with your carrier in advance to find out. Make sure to factor in wait time, these days airports are always packed and if you get stuck in a long line waiting to drop off your bag you risk missing your flight altogether. Also, be aware of the weight limits. Airlines have found ways to charge for just about everything these days and overweight baggage fees are a biggie. You could be looking at $100 or more for a bag that is just a few pounds over the limit. If you can’t weigh your bag ahead of time, leave some extra room in your carry-on bag or pack an empty bag in case you have to remove some items.

READ SIGNS

It may sound obvious, but all of the information you’ll need is posted somewhere. I know airports are crowded and chaotic and sometimes confusing, but just take a deep breath and read! Trust me, you’ll find what you’re looking for and if you don’t there are plenty of airport employees available to assist.

PLAN AHEAD

After checking in you’ll need to make your way over to the security checkpoint. This is where a little pre-planning goes a LONG way. For starters, have your boarding pass and ID out and ready! Nothing is more annoying than being stuck in line behind someone for 15 minutes only to have to wait on them to fish through their bag to find their ID and boarding pass once they get the agent. If you really want to separate yourself from the pack, have your ID and boarding pass facing the same way. If you’re traveling with a passport, open it to the front page so the agent doesn’t have to search for it. It may seem silly, but it speeds things up!

If you’re traveling with a laptop it will have to be scanned separately, so please don’t pack it in the bottom of your bag! Make it easily accessible and if it’s in a case, unzip it before you get in line.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

It’s annoying, but unless you’re a member of a pre-check or global entry program you will usually have to remove your shoes, belts, scarves and jackets before getting scanned. This is where the pros truly separate themselves. You’ll notice the frequent flyers will already have their shoes and jackets in hand. Wear shoes that slide on and off easily. Because I am horrified by the thought of putting my bare feet on a floor where thousands of other feet have been, I always have a pair of socks ready at the top of my bag so I can slide them on before entering the scanner.

I realize some of these suggestions may seem a bit ridiculous, but it truly is the little things that separate the pros from the oh no’s! A little patience, forethought and time management are really all that’s needed to make your next airport experience a breeze!  Good luck and happy wending!

Do you have any tips for traveling like a pro? Share your comments below!