THE WORST PART OF YOUR FLIGHT

The TSA security line is often the most dreaded part of traveling by air, trudging haplessly behind your fellow travelers in a never ending switchback of what sometimes feels like zombies.  Each person hoping in vain that everyone moves along with no problems.  Most often standing and internally groaning at the family with 4 children that's going on that international trip digging for their passports or that business person that can't quite get the airline ticket on their phone to scan or the woman who's lost her ticket in her purse, that's been me!

Although the security line is never a truly pleasant part of travel, it can be less stressful if you follow a few basic guidelines.

1.  Always plan on long security lines. People traveling with small children and people who haven't flown in a long time will hold up the line at times.
2.  Pack your patience and comfortable shoes you can remove easily.
3. Keep it simple by unloading your pockets and taking your jacket off early.
4.  Roller carry on luggage is almost a must for a frequent traveler and a nice to have for a newbie.  I prefer a backpack to a briefcase for my travel for the extra pockets.
5. Have your ticket and ID ready for the TSA agent they get grumpy if you aren't ready as do your fellow zombies.
6. When it's your turn at the x-ray everything but your shoes, jacket and laptop should be in your luggage or carry-on.
7.  Make sure your stuff goes in the x-ray chute or you'll peeve off the people behind you. They won't necessarily push your things through.
8. Step up to the line to be scanned.  Yes the new machines are a pain in the caboose, but we're all going to die from something. I don't know about you I don't want it to be my plane exploding in flames.
9.  Coming out the other end grab your items, assuming a TSA agent doesn't want to meet you personally and take a closer look at your belongings and move away from the line.
10. Breath, reassemble and proceed to your flight

* If a TSA agent does want to take a closer look at your belongings remain calm, personable and do not crack jokes about bombings!

This part of the journey is just the beginning and should not stress you out.  Just remember everyone has to go through it. 

PS: please wear deodorant.  You don't want to be the one sniffing the air wondering, "is that me?"