Traveling through an airport can make you feel like it is a world of its own. Time can seem to slow down while simultaneously speeding up. People are often moving in every direction and a sense of organized traffic falls by the wayside. Depending on flight times or potential time zone changes, you might have dinner for breakfast, or breakfast for dinner! But the prospect of an airplane taking you to a wonderful new destination, a familiar getaway spot, or even back to the comfort of your own home, can help make everything make more sense. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of some ways to help you navigate the airport and get through security.

Preparing before you leave home

There are a few things that might make your airport time a little easier. While you're packing for your trip, or re-packing to come home, consider what you might need in your carry-on baggage and what can be safely packed away in your checked baggage. Referencing TSA guidelines and airline specific guidelines can be a great way to help ensure that you won’t run into bumps in the road upon arriving at the airport. You may want to weigh your luggage and even break out the measuring tape to verify that your baggage meets the requirements referenced above. Consider checking in for your flight ahead of time, it may be that by doing so you can skip one or two lines at the airport and head straight to the baggage drop off or the security line.

Arriving early

Many times, airports and airlines have suggested arrival times listed on their websites. To be safer, you may want to plan to arrive a few hours ahead of your scheduled boarding time regardless of your destination. There can be times of day when the airport is busier than others; you may want to try to plan ahead for this. You may expect one scenario and find that when you arrive, it is not like the image you had in your head.

Understanding the security procedure

In the majority of airports, there is no way to get into the various airport terminals, and consequently to reach your gate, without passing through security. Often times we see travelers frustrated with the length of the line or the pace at which it moves. By understanding the security procedure, you might be able to help keep the line moving and get through it without a hitch. It’s a good idea to have a form of ID ready before reaching the front of the line. In addition, having your ticket ready, either printed or via electronic device, can help you slide through one check point to the next. Consider the clothes and shoes you plan on wearing to the airport. You may want to pick a pair of shoes that can be easily slipped on and off if you are asked to remove them when going through the metal detector. Similarly, limiting the amount of metal you have on and preemptively emptying out your pockets before entering the security line can make the process easier for both you and the people behind you. Try to be aware that there may be certain airports that may require you to take electronic devices out of your carry-on luggage, and even possibly medication. Once you’ve made it through the metal detector, try to clear your items from the belt and move forward so that you don’t risk holding up other items and people trying to make the same journey you just did. If you’ve never been to an airport before or have forgotten the drill, there are many online resources you can look to for guidance on what exactly to expect.

Locating your gate

After going through check-in, it can be helpful to navigate your way to the correct terminal, concord, and/or gate. Knowing where you’ll need to be when it comes time to board your flight can be helpful if you have time to spare and want to explore the airport a bit. You may even want to grab a bite to eat. Some airports are quite large while others are very small. Regardless of the size of the airport you’re flying out of, knowing the lay of the land is probably a good way to help ensure you don’t miss your flight. Checking the flight schedule board is an easy way to confirm where you should be and at what time.

No matter where or when you’re flying, we hope that these tips help you to endure your time at the airport. Try to enjoy your time traveling. Talk to your travel advisor or visit our website to learn more about the ways that travel protection can help you, should things not go as planned.

AH-4470