Airport Series - TSA Security Screening

1. Packing
2. Getting to the Airport
3. Checking In Luggage
4. TSA Security Screening
5. Boarding Gate
6. Immigration

Yesterday, we went through what to expect when you first arrive at the airport to check your large bags and get your boarding passes.

Today, we'll continue our Airport Series and teach your parents how to get through the dreaded TSA security checkpoint with as little disruption as possible.

4. TSA SECURITY SCREENING

The security checkpoint is one of the biggest challenges for many parents who are not frequent flyers. This is usually due to the fact that they're already carrying so many things - in addition to having an infant or two. And more often than not, the infant isn't thrilled about having to patiently wait in a long 20-30 minute line (photo credit: CNN).

There's a lot of different views on the best way to approach the TSA security line as a family, but I'll just tell you what we do. We're always open to hearing some more advice so please comment and let us know if you have some tips/tricks you use with your parents.

I wasn't born yet, but apparently September 11, 2001 was a big milestone for TSA. After having terrorists use commercial airplanes to make their attack, TSA security increased their role of protecting passengers on flights. In addition to many other rule changes, they came in to manage airport security and instituted the 3-1-1 rule (3oz limit on liquids) as well as the removal of shoes and pat downs to ensure no contraband was getting onto the flights.

The security process is broken into 4 stages: (A) Pre-Airport, (B) ID verification, (C) Loading the plastic trays, (D) Metal detector. So knowing these stages, here's what we do as we're approaching the plastic trays.

A - Pre-Airport Stage

1. Dress appropriately - have my parents wear slip on shoes; don't wear belts or layers of jackets that need to be removed; no watches or metal jewelry

2. Pack appropriately - know what will need to be taken out of your carry on bags (laptops, baby food, etc) and put them in places you can access quickly and easily


B - ID Verification Stage

3. Cell phones/wallets inside one of the carry on bags - saves you time from having to empty your pockets

4. Passport and Boarding Pass in our hands - you know they need to check your ID, so don't have it deep inside your purse or overcoat pocket where you'll need time to dig for it


C - Loading the Plastic Trays Stage

5. Secure 3-4 Trays First - Your mother and father should first get all the trays and claim your table space before starting to fill them. You do this so the person behind you doesn't start taking up space and unloading their stuff before you're done.

• Tray 1 - Laptop/iPad
• Tray 2 - Baby Food 
• Tray 3 - Shoes/Jacket (if you forgot to put your wallet inside your bag, then put it here)
• Tray 4 - Extra 

6. Immediately load the last tray first - starting with the last one helps tell the people behind you not to use it and secures your table space until you're done

7. Remove Infant from Stroller / Carrier - and have the parent carrying you go second.

8. Stroller first - so you can quickly start setting it up on the other side

9. Carry on bags second and then finally trays - it will allow you to watch your valuables (laptop, cell phone & money in the trays) longer until they go into the machine and also avoid having the trays exposed on the other side before you get there


D - Metal Detector Stage

10. Parent w/o the child goes through the metal detector first - after getting through, they start setting up the stroller, then move to Step #12

11. Parent w/ the child goes next - the stroller should be set up and waiting; secure the infant then go to Step #13

12. First parent starts loading - quickly get the tray items back into the bags as they come out, while moving the bags away from the crowded conveyor belt area

13. Second parent monitors - watch (but don't help) the first parent to make sure they don't forget anything

I've trained my parents well to stick to the plan and we've been able to get through security as easily as possible. Yes, there's sometimes the "random" checks where my parent has to get an additional screening or my baby food needs to be swabbed by the magic security machine, but as long as the other parent sticks to their responsibilities, you should be fine.

Now, off to the Boarding Gate!