We’ve all been there — stuck behind someone at airport security who seems completely unprepared. Their ID is buried somewhere in a bag, pockets are still full, liquids are scattered throughout the carry-on, and everyone behind them is silently watching the clock.
Airport security is an unavoidable part of flying, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. A little preparation can make the process much faster and easier for you and everyone waiting behind you.
Security procedures can vary by airport and country, but if you’re flying from an airport in the United States, here are seven common mistakes to avoid.
1. Arriving without the right identification
Don’t wait until you’re standing at the TSA checkpoint to discover that you don’t have acceptable identification. Since May 7, 2025, travelers age 18 and older flying domestically in the United States must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, or another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport or passport card. TSA also accepts several other forms of identification, including Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI cards. If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll normally need your passport, and you should check the entry requirements for your destination well before departure. Some countries require a passport to remain valid for a certain period beyond your trip. Keep your identification and other important travel documents somewhere easy to reach rather than buried at the bottom of your carry-on. One more useful detail: TSA currently accepts certain expired IDs for up to two years after expiration, although international travel has separate passport-validity requirements.
2. Not giving yourself enough time
Even experienced travelers can underestimate how long it will take to check luggage, clear security and reach the gate. Security lines can change dramatically depending on the airport, day of the week, holidays, staffing and the number of departing flights. A checkpoint that takes 10 minutes one day might take considerably longer the next. A good general rule is to arrive about two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight, although you should also check your airline’s recommendation for your particular airport. TSA itself recommends allowing enough time and generally advises arriving two hours before your scheduled departure. It’s much nicer to spend an extra half hour relaxing near your gate than racing through the terminal while your flight is boarding.
3. Assuming TSA PreCheck is only for frequent flyers
If you fly regularly in the United States, TSA PreCheck can make airport security considerably easier. Passengers using TSA PreCheck lanes generally don’t have to remove laptops, compliant liquids, belts or light jackets from their bags or bodies. Another option is Global Entry, which provides expedited processing when entering the United States from abroad and includes TSA PreCheck eligibility for qualified members. But remember: TSA PreCheck is a U.S. program. It doesn’t mean you’ll receive the same expedited screening when departing from another country. And there’s been another major change since older versions of this article were written: you generally don’t have to remove your shoes at U.S. TSA checkpoints anymore, even in standard screening lanes. The Department of Homeland Security ended the routine shoes-off requirement in July 2025.
4. Packing your carry-on without thinking about security
A beautifully packed suitcase isn’t necessarily a security-friendly suitcase. Keep anything you might need at the checkpoint easily accessible. Depending on the screening equipment being used at your airport, TSA officers may ask you to remove certain items from your bag. The familiar 3-1-1 liquids rule remains in effect for ordinary liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in carry-on luggage: containers must generally be 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or smaller and fit into one quart-size clear bag per passenger. Exceptions exist for medically necessary liquids and certain infant and child items. It’s also smart to keep larger electronics somewhere you can reach them quickly. At some checkpoints you may need to remove laptops or other electronics; at checkpoints equipped with newer scanners, you may be instructed to leave them inside. The key is simple: listen to the TSA officer at your particular checkpoint. Procedures aren’t identical everywhere. And contrary to a common misconception, laptops and many other electronic devices are permitted in both carry-on and checked luggage. Expensive or fragile electronics are generally better protected in your carry-on, while spare lithium batteries and power banks have additional restrictions and should not be packed in checked baggage. TSA’s current guidance, for example, lists laptops as permitted in both carry-on and checked bags.
5. Wearing things that complicate screening
Airport security isn’t the best place for an outfit involving lots of bulky accessories. Although passengers at U.S. TSA checkpoints now generally keep their shoes on, you may still be asked to remove a belt, jacket or certain accessories during standard screening. Security officers may also request additional screening when necessary. Wear comfortable clothing and avoid filling your pockets with coins, keys and other objects. Before you reach the scanner, empty your pockets and put loose belongings somewhere secure. And remember that U.S. procedures don’t necessarily apply overseas. On your return trip from another country, you may once again be asked to remove shoes, belts, jackets or electronics according to that country’s security rules.
6. Packing something you didn’t realize was prohibited
This is one of the easiest mistakes to prevent. Many travelers know that obvious weapons aren’t allowed in carry-on luggage, but the rules become less obvious with things such as tools, sporting equipment, scissors, aerosols, batteries, food and other everyday items. Some objects are allowed in checked baggage but not carry-ons. Others are permitted in either. And some aren’t permitted on the aircraft at all. If TSA has to stop and inspect your bag because something suspicious appears on the X-ray, you’re not only delaying yourself — you’re slowing down everyone behind you. Before leaving home, check questionable items rather than guessing. Also remember that even an item normally allowed by TSA can be subject to additional screening, and the final decision about whether something is permitted through the checkpoint rests with the TSA officer.
7. Not checking TSA rules before you leave
One of the best airport-security tools is also one of the simplest. TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” database lets you search for hundreds of individual items and tells you whether they’re permitted in carry-on luggage, checked luggage, both or neither. If you still aren’t sure, you can contact AskTSA. TSA currently offers assistance through X, Facebook Messenger, Apple Business Chat and text messaging. Live assistance is available daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time. It’s especially worth checking before traveling with unusual items, medications, medical equipment, specialty foods, sporting equipment or anything you’re unsure about. A few minutes of research at home can save a lot of time and embarrassment at the airport.
The bottom line
Getting through airport security doesn’t have to be the worst part of your trip. Arrive early, bring the correct identification, pack with the checkpoint in mind and check the rules before leaving home. And perhaps most importantly, pay attention to the instructions at your specific checkpoint. Airport screening technology is changing, and procedures can differ from one airport and even one security lane to another.
