9 Tips to Make Airport Time Shorter

What's the latest suggested arrival time before your flight? 2 hours? 3 1/2 hours? 90 minutes? It's highly doubtful that you would need anywhere near that length of time. How could you prepare yourself to get through the airport and to your gate in a much faster period of time? And how about making your entire trip a little bit faster, such as after you land?

Tip 1=Lightweight Luggage?

Don't put half of your wardrobe into your luggage. Airlines now charge fees for heavy luggage. So, to avoid making that large suitcase too heavy for a free flight, pack your heavier things in your smaller suitcase, and your lighter things in your larger suitcase.

Tip 2=Smart Packing?

Your carry on luggage should never contain anything that has been listed as prohibited, including matches, scissors, liquids over 3 oz., and rhinoceros horns. If security does find any of them in your baggage, they will most likely take away the offending items and send you and your things to additional and embarrassing screening procedures. Check that souvenir hunting knife and that bottle of rum. That means put them into your checked baggage. And, for the bottle, make sure it's well protected among your clothes.

Tip 3=Avoid Checking Luggage?

Checking luggage is mandatory when you have too much to carry on, or use as a carry on, or when your carry-on is larger than a specific size. If you can carry on everything, you will definitely save time at the airport because you wouldn't have to wait in a long and somewhat slow line at the check in counter. And, if your carry on has wheels, that's even better!

Tip 4=Prepare for Checking In?

International flights take longer check in times than do domestic flights. So make enough time for that. Each airport has an average check-in time somewhere online. Find out where your airport stands. And, peak travel times and days, such as the busiest Monday mornings and Friday and Sunday evenings, are times you should try to avoid flying.

Tip 5=Prepare for Security?

Have your passport, identification, and ticket at the ready before you arrive at the security gate agent. Wear shoes that can be easily removed, preferably a style without laces. Before you get to the security gate, also, put all metal objects into your jacket pocket instead of the tray you will be given at the gate. You will have to remove your jacket and send it through the scanner anyways. This includes your watch, keys, wallet, and even your cell phone. And, if you have a laptop, you will be required to turn it on at the security gate, so have it also at the ready.

Tip 6=Prepare for the X-Ray Machine?

This one is just about the order you put things on the X-Ray conveyor belt. First your shoes and jacket, then you laptop and camera, then your carrying case for them, and finally your carry-on suitcase.

Tip 7=Prepare for Customs?

You don't need to impress customs, but certainly avoid wearing any garment or style that could raise a red flag with a customs agent. Leave your political statement shirts and tattered jeans in your luggage, instead wearing something a little more conservative. Fill our your customs form either on the plane, or while you are waiting in line if you get the form later. And, please, make sure to put something other than $0 for your declaration amount. A $0 declaration makes the customs agent very suspicious. However, if you truly have nothing to declare because you have not bought anything, I don't see why you wouldn't want to put that big $0 right on the form. Also, keep your receipts handy, just in case.

Tip 8=Prepare to Fly?

You will probably already have your seat assignment when you book your tickets. Make sure to choose one that isn't too close to the front of the plane, because it would likely get stuck in the deep central recesses (or the belly) of the plane, and be the last ones to arrive on the luggage carousel. Also, since most airlines seat passengers from the rear to the front of the plane, the overhead bins will fill up as more and more people get on the plane.

Tip 9=Prepare for Baggage Claim?

TOO many people have black luggage. If you are one of the vast majority, you really need to set your luggage apart from the mass of other black suitcases. Some tie a noticeable and visible piece of fabric around the handle. I happen to use a ribbon.

Now that you know the best and fastest ways to speed through the airport, you will be ready to go on your next trip. And the first step to making that next trip is to go to www.kingarthur.myttn.com and book it!