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makes sense to put laptop bag (unzipped) through first then laptop, then luggage, then shoes, liquids bag, coat...for security reasons and ease of reloading

when they pass through, grab the bag, then the laptop and put it in the bag, then grab you luggage (open slightly if necessary to put in liquids bag) and finally your shoes and liquids bag and coat. then walk away to put on shoes, coat etc.

I agree about the post-screening process. Why people insist on hovering at the end of the belt to put all their stuff back on is beyond me. I love the airports that now have an area with benches to get composed again.

Great tips!

I agree with all of the above, except the slip-off shoes part. I always wear comfortable shoes with laces or buckles and closed toes. They're better for walking the airport, and they're much safer in the admittedly very unlikely chance of an accident.

How do so many people maneuver through airports with flip-flops? They're much more talented than I am.

All good tips, except nail clippers are now allowed on planes - no need to check them.

The TSA website has a list of prohibited items - some things, like nail clippers and tweezers, that used to be prohibited are now allowed.

A jacket with an inside pocket for your passport and boarding pass is helpful, or a carryon with a zipper pocket that's easy to get to for this stuff.

I always take a pashmina on planes - I get cold and putting on a jacket or taking it off is a pain in an airline seat if you don't want to stand up or are in a window seat.

I wish people wouldn't take such HUGE carryons, too. Jeez, you can check a bag... free. If you board after the people around your seat half the time they've used the entire overhead compartment for their weeks' worth of clothes in a duffel and a coat or whatever.

Actually, for some airlines, checking a bag is no longer free. Also, some airlines offer online check-in which saves a lot of time.

Get rid of change!

At the security line it is major hinderence. If you dont empty it in the bucket, it will go off, so you have to fish for every last piece.

I would really like to see the TSA put out change donation jars right before security for various charitable organizations. That will give people a productive outlet for getting rid of their change before it becomes a real nuissance.

the airlines are all moving towards charging fees for checked baggage, even for just one bag. so it becomes even more imperative to have just one small carryon -- if you can. this means whittling your stuff down to the essentials.

Yeah I get that many airlines are starting to charge, but i'm still extremely annoyed with people that pack huge carry-ons. Its just smacks of "i know you all left suff behind, but see i really need everything in here!".

i really feel for parents, once i reproduce i think i might refuse to fly for a couple years.

Anyone have good refrences for packable food, i've found pretzel chips and the single serving jiff containers to be fantastic.

last tip, EarPlanes, if you get alot of ear pain during decompression. I have allergies and messed up sinuses they are a godsend, they also have kiddie size.

I wish more people put their carry-ons under the seat in front of them instead of spending time trying to get things out of the overhead compartments. I think if more people did that it wouldn't take quite as long to board the plane and everyone could get off a little faster.

Remember that you can't take a drink bottle with any liquid, but EMPTY bottles are allowed. Rather than wasting another plastic bottle, bring your own EMPTY refillable. In the spirit of full disclosure with the TSA I usually put the bottle in a bin, too.

I whole-heartedly second the smiling tip. It helps to create a slightly friendlier atmosphere and may even help you to calm down.

I love it - What a great idea- tallguylehigh - about the TSA putting in change collectors for charity! Maybe it's not the TSA, but the individual charities that need to investigate it. Pass this on to any charities you sponsor. So simple, yet the impact could be substantial. I'm calling the animal shelter I work with right now.

I think we need to grow about 8 arms for going through the airport security line. I used to love to travel,even for work.

Now I hate it because of the lack of credible screening. The last time I flew, I completely forgot to pull my baggie of toiletries out of the rolly bag back pocket and went through the line--nothing. Once about 3 flights before that, I was finishing drinking my water so I would go through the line with an empty bottle for more fill ups and I practically got strip searched because I had left about a swallow of water in my haste.

"rush hour" can differ depending on time zones and route... Perhaps my travel finds me crossing int'l borders more than this post was intended for, but I try to avoid returning to my airport from outside the country between noon and 3pm, when I know the big 747s from overseas are arriving and will unload their passengers in the customs hall, resulting in long lines post-flight...

"How do so many people maneuver through airports with flip-flops? They're much more talented than I am."

Every airport I've ever been to has had a flat solid floor - no cattle grids - no rope suspension bridges - no hot coals - why on earth would it be difficult to walk in an airport in flip-flops????

I travel for business a lot. I am digging their new "expert traveler lines" vs. "Casual traveler" vs "family".... But my hot tip to add- BE HONEST when you pick the line.... There is nothing worst than being in the expert line and having someone who 'didn't know' they had to take their shoes off' and forgot to take their computer out and has a bottle of water and then puts their ticket in the bin when they were supposed to hang on to it....