Top TSA Tips to Pass Through with Ease (+ States with the Most Inefficient Travelers)

As the famous song goes, there’s no place like home for the holidays. While it may be true that nothing beats mom’s homemade pumpkin pie, Perry Como leaves out a pretty important detail—what it’s actually like to get home during the holiday season. I guess “getting stuck in the airport security line” doesn’t have quite the same ring. 

Flying during the holidays can be a great experience—it’s what brings you home to loved ones or to the vacation spot you’ve been dreaming about all year. But with literally millions of other people doing the same, there’s bound to be some inefficiency. Sometimes, as a recent study by USA Today found, it’s the result of other passengers’ behavior. 

What people do—or don’t do—when they travel is out of your hands. Though you can’t exactly make someone pack their liquids correctly or keep their personal items out of the overhead bin, there are things you can do to make your own travel experience as seamless as possible. 

In this post, we give you tips to help you get to your flight with ease. We also go over which states have the most inefficient travelers, according to USA Today. 

4 Tips for Getting through Airport Security 

Ah, the dreaded TSA line. Anyone who has flown in the last 20 years or so knows it well. While the security line may not be the hours-long monstrosity it used to be, slowdowns still happen, especially during peak air travel seasons. 

Going through airport security is never a great experience, but it doesn’t have to be a stressful one. These tips can help you get through to your flight with ease. 

1. Get to the airport early. 

Try to get to the airport at least two to three hours before your flight. This gives you enough time to get through all of the necessary steps and leaves plenty of leeway if there’s a delay. 

Most airports require passengers to be checked in for their flights at least 30 minutes in advance, so arriving early gets you through security and ready to board well ahead of that. 

2. Check in online. 

Checking in for your flight online means you don’t have to spend time waiting for check-in at the desk. With online check-in, you can print your boarding pass and select your seats in advance, and head straight to security when you get to the airport. 

Even if you have checked luggage, you should check in online. While you still have to drop your bags at the ticket counter on the way through, for airlines that assign seats, this secures your seat assignment, which is crucial when flights get overbooked. 

If you want to further streamline the process before getting to your gate, you might consider enrolling in TSA PreCheck for expedited screening through security. 

3. Follow the rules. 

The TSA has a lot of rules for passengers to follow—but they’re not a secret. You can find specific guidance for not only how to pack but also what to expect in line on the TSA.gov website. 

Traveler mistakes at TSA checkpoints are one of the biggest reasons for slowdowns. USA Today found that as many as 59% of travelers have made mistakes at a TSA checkpoint in the last five years. What are the most common mistakes? Not taking their shoes or belt off (28%), accidentally setting off the scanner with their phone, jewelry, or keys (28%), and forgetting to remove electronics from their carry-ons (23%). 

Bringing water bottles through security is another surprisingly common mistake. Remember, any liquids you bring in your carry-on must follow the 3-1-1 rule: no more than 3 oz for each container, all containers need to be able to fit into a 1-quart bag, and you can only have 1 quart-sized bag. 

4. Pack neatly. 

In addition to following TSA’s guidelines for what to bring, try to keep your bags organized. It’s tempting to just shove stuff in there, especially if you’re in a rush—but that can make things like going through a routine security check a nightmare if you have to unpack and repack. 

Give yourself enough time to pack for your trip. You might want to start packing a few days in advance, depending on how much you need and how long you’re leaving for.  

States with the Most Inefficient Travelers 

Airports are usually a mixed bag of people—you don’t know if they’re coming or going or if they’re local to the area or just passing through. But just in case, you might want to prepare yourself for some above-average slowness if you’re headed to any of the following states. 

According to a study by USA Today, the top 10 states with the most inefficient travelers are: 

1. North Carolina
2. West Virginia
3. Arkansas
4. New York
5. Alabama
6. Vermont
7. North Dakota
8. New Jersey
9. Louisiana 
10. Oklahoma 

It’s probably safe to assume these inefficient travelers are inefficient in more ways than one. USA Today explored further, breaking down their findings into more specific areas of airport travel. 

Many of the same states on the general list also made the top 10 list for inefficiency at security checkpoints: 

1. North Carolina 
2. West Virginia 
3. Arkansas 
4. New York
5. Alabama
6. North Dakota
7. Utah
8. Illinois
9. Vermont
10. New Jersey 

USA Today also assessed how well travelers handle packing. The states that struggle with their carry-on bags the most are: 

1. New York
2. North Dakota
3. North Carolina
4. New Jersey
5. Arkansas
6. Illinois
7. Massachusetts
8. Idaho
9. Colorado
10. West Virginia 

And finally, no flight experience is complete without getting off the plane. Here’s the top 10 list for the worst deplaners: 

1. South Dakota
2. Texas
3. Nevada
4. Alabama
5. Maine
6. Massachusetts
7. Nebraska
8. New Jersey
9. Vermont
10. Minnesota 

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Final Thoughts

Traveling is always stressful, but you don’t have to let it put a damper on the most wonderful time of the year. When you’re gearing up for your plane ride home, keep our tips in mind. With the right preparation, you can sail through airport security and get settled on your flight in no time. Safe travels!