Top 10 Travel Packing Tips for Airport Security

Traveling is one of the great pleasures of life. Getting to know new places, cultures, and people and trying new foods can be quite an adventure. Traveling by plane adds an extra touch of pleasure to this experience. The satisfaction of flying over the clouds and appreciating the landscapes or even sunsets or sunrises from an airplane window is hardly comparable. But, anyone who has had the opportunity to board a plane knows there are some rules to follow. Complying with the requirements and security regulations is one of the essential duties of any person who wishes to travel by plane. These security rules are fundamental when packing your bags.

Especially in Europe, the U.K., and the U.S., Airport rules can be pretty strict, regarding what you can take in your checked bags and carry-on luggage. Being aware of these rules can save you a lot of hassle and time when going through airport security. In some cases, it can also save you money and avoid paying extra fees for not being aware of certain baggage rules. If you are looking to understand exactly what airport security rules are, this travel packing tips for airport security article is for you.

What are the Airport Security Rules?

In short, airport security rules are basically a series of regulations that all passengers and airport personnel must follow to protect the safety of travelers, workers, aircraft, and the airport infrastructure. Although there are certain generalities, airport security rules can vary significantly from country to country. Therefore, it is advisable to do a little research about the airport security rules of the country you are in or the destination country you are traveling to, especially if it’s a very distant country or with a very different culture.

Since 2006, airport security rules regarding carry-ons initially mandated by the US, the UK and subsequently adopted by the European Union, have changed somewhat after London media published information about an alleged terrorist plot involving liquid explosives on aircraft. Since then, all gels and liquids over 100ml have been prohibited in hand luggage, except for medicines. You are also expected to remove any metal objects from your body, take off your shoes, and put your laptop aside before going through the security scanners. In most international airports around the world, these rules apply. It is also good to check beforehand if there is an additional rule to those previously mentioned to avoid any misunderstanding or inconvenience, thus saving time when going through security.

How Do Airport Security Rules Affect How You Should Pack?

Airport security rules directly and significantly influence the way travelers pack things to comply with the regulations required by airport and aircraft security protocols. This usually means that you can’t just pack everything you need for your trip in your carry-on backpack, especially if your trip is going to be long and you need to carry a lot of stuff. Carry-on luggage needs to meet size requirements. Therefore, if your trip will be short, usually less than a week, and depending on the conditions, you can likely pack everything in your carry-on and not have to check any additional bags.

Suppose you need to travel for a more extended time. In that case, you may need to use a checked bag to carry everything you need so you don’t waste money or time when you get to your destination looking for those essential things that can usually be a bit difficult to find quickly. Checking a suitcase that goes by load means having more space and freedom to pack everything you want, but it can also mean you carry more things than you need. You should also keep in mind that checking a bag involves extra fees, having to wait after leaving the plane to collect your bag, and facing the possibility of losing your luggage. Sometimes you may even find that items have been broken in baggage handling. To avoid this, we recommend always packing the suitcases in polyester, sanity, or ballistic nylon to prevent them from the incident.

Whether your trip is short or long, and regardless of whether you only carry hand luggage or a large suitcase sent by cargo, it is vital to always pack as light as possible and take with you what is strictly necessary. This way, you can avoid inconveniences and unnecessary extra fees. Here are some travel packing tips for airport security that will save you some trouble.

Top 10 Travel Packing Tips for Airport Security

When packing for a flight, many people just stack their clothes and belongings inside their bag without really giving it much thought. Sometimes you simply throw your things inside the suitcase and toss in extra items that may end up being unnecessary. But packing this way can bring some disadvantages when going through security or checking your bags. This can slow you down when you have to get your electronics out while going through airport security or when there’s a delay.

Taking the time to pack appropriately for a flight and making a security travel checklist can save you time, money, and hassles. Smooth pass-through airport security can make all the difference when traveling.

Pack Light

When packing for your trip, especially if you are traveling by plane, try to plan your outfits in advance, think about what you will really need, and only take what is necessary with you.

Whenever possible, try to call the hotel where you will be staying to check what bathroom products they provide for your stay and decide if you can use them. Try not to pack products that you can get or use for free at your destination.

Have all Your Documents Ready

Try to have all your documents organized in one place and on hand for when you need them. At various stages of your trip, especially during the boarding process, you will most likely need to show or use your identification, passport, airline ticket, boarding pass, and proof of vaccination. The recommended way to carry your identification and travel documents is to use a travel document organizer. In this way, your documents will be safe, protected, organized, and in one place for when you need to use them during the boarding process when going through immigration, or through security.

Choose a Bag that Stands Out

Choosing colorful or standout suitcases and carry-on bags makes it easier for you to quickly locate your items at baggage claim, which can save you time and prevent you from grabbing the wrong bag. If you have a suitcase that is not easily distinguishable or is trendy among travelers, you can tie a colored ribbon to it to stand out from the rest.

Pick the Right Size Luggage

All airlines have size standards for carry-on baggage and checked bags. If it’s a priority for you to pass easily and without problems through security checkpoints and you want to save yourself the extra charges for being overweight or for exceeding the size limits in your checked bags, you must make sure that your suitcases meet the requirements of the airline you are traveling with. In general, you can check what size and weight specifications are allowed on the airline’s website and, in some cases, on the airport’s website as well.

Neutral Clothing: An Intelligent Choice for Traveling

When planning the outfits and organizing the clothes that you will use during your trip, try to choose neutral colors. This allows you to add or change accessories or items on the go. It also makes it easier for you to adapt to different situations if you need to adjust your outfit due to weather or any other reason. Colorful clothing can make it more difficult to improvise and combine outfits, especially when traveling without bringing your entire wardrobe.

Pack Like a Puzzle Game

Optimizing the space inside the suitcase and packing your belongings as if you were playing Tetris can prevent you from not being able to close the suitcase after packing everything. The most advisable thing is to start packing things around the perimeter and then towards the center. By loading your bags this way, you can see exactly how much space you have and how many of your things fit inside your suitcase so that it closes properly and without having to jump on top of your suitcase to make it close.

Electronics in the Same Layer

If you plan to bring electronic equipment such as laptops or cameras on your trip and they must pass through the security checkpoint, it is best to pack them in a single layer so that the security team can easily see them. Checked bags usually go through a physical inspection, so having your electronics in a single layer will prevent airport security from having to unload all your belongings to screen them.

Save Samples and Downsize Self-care Products

Packing small packets of toothpaste, hair products, body lotion, moisturizer, or any other necessary personal use products and adequately packing your vitamins and supplements can take up much less space than carrying regular-sized bottles. Therefore, try to save sample packs wherever you see them since you probably won’t need more than that for your trip. If your trip is a little longer, and you need to bring your own shampoo, hair gel, conditioner, or even food items, try to minimize the containers you carry and place these products in containers of 3.3 ounces or less to follow security requirements. This can save you time when you go through security. It can also save you from having to throw things away, and it will save space in your suitcase, which in the end can also save you some money.

Pack Sanitizer and a Blanket

Some airline experts reveal that aircraft cleaning crews generally don’t clean the tray tables in front of you at the plane’s seat regularly. In many cases, they do not wash the pillows or blankets either. Therefore, we recommend investing in a small bottle of sanitizer that you can carry in your carry-on luggage and bringing your own travel blanket and pillow with you that you can use on the plane.

Check Your Bag Before Leaving

Before leaving for the airport, double check your bag to see if you’re carrying any items that could get you stopped when going through security or something that could cause security to search your entire bag. Remember not to carry scissors, razors, or sharp objects in your hand luggage, as security staff will most likely retain or confiscate these objects when passing through.