How much do you hate airport queues? Not only do you have the long haul flight ahead, but you must allow extra time waiting around to check in your luggage, extra time to get through customs and extra time to get through security. It’s all about to get worse too. New security measures mean that you will need to show that your electronic devices will switch on, and you can be assured that this is going to cause all kinds of chaos. The one item you won’t want to forget is your charger, lest you have to leave you device in the hands of an over-zealous security guard.
There are some things you can do to minimise this wasted time (or perhaps maximise might be the better term). Here are a few suggestions…
1. Accept that you’re in for a long wait and take a good book
Now I know this isn’t what you wanted to hear but more often than not you won’t have any control over how long you have to queue so make the most of it and get stuck into your book rather than getting irritated by the length of the queue.
2. Pay someone to stand in the queue for you and head to the bar
Now wouldn’t this be nice. I’m sure it’s possible somewhere in the world.
3. Fast track through security at select airports
Most airlines allow you to purchase access to the Fast Track or Priority Lanes at security checkpoints around the world. For frequent flyers of certain status levels, this service may be complimentary such as for oneworld Emerald frequent flyers. Heathrow airport says that using their Fast Track service should get you through in less than 5 minutes. Now that’s worth investigating.
4. Avoid certain airports
Sometimes you’ll be better off flying a slightly different route to avoid congested airports or countries with extreme security measures. For example, when I was flying out of Nairobi, Kenya I needed to go through 3 different security areas times for some reason. Ask your TTFN Travel Confidante for advice about which airports are best to avoid.
5. Don’t be ‘that guy’
There’s nothing more infuriating than having to wait for the person ahead of you who despite also having queued for a ridiculous amount of time, failed to be ready when it was his turn. Get your passports / tickets / shoes off / lap top out etc etc before it’s your turn. If everyone did this, maybe we’d all get through in half the time.
Article by Nicola Billens.
Nicola Billens is an experienced traveller, having visited all the continents (except Antarctica) over the last 20 years. She’s lived in France, England, Austria and New Zealand and spent many years and many dollars experiencing what this wonderful world has to offer.