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Expert Q&A
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| By James Feldman (a.k.a. Doctor Travel) Certified Facilitator | ||
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How early should you arrive at the airport before your flight?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been forced to hire untrained personnel. In addition, TSA personnel often feel that they are the airport police charged with administering rules and regulations that, overall, are poorly designed to prevent passengers from carrying items that are really a threat to our national security.
Ninety minutes is the minimum time needed to get through the process at most airports. Denver, Las Vegas and often Chicago and Los Angeles find themselves with longer lines and fewer TSA personnel to handle the volume, which result in longer wait times. Add in the increased volume of holiday travelers and two hours is minimum for a stress-free wait.
Here?s what you can do to speed your personal passage:
- Carry as little as possible on the plane.
- Make sure you triple check for metal that could trigger the scanners. Metal support in your shoes, all metal watches, belt buckles and sewn-on ornaments may cause you delays and initiate a personal search. Remember not to ?jokeś or ?argueś with TSA workers. They have been instructed to take every comment seriously and will delay your passage. Put your cell phone, money clip, coins and other metallic objects in your carry on and keep quiet. ZIP IT!