Know what you need before packing for a trip. Most domestic airlines permit you to take on board one approved standard-sized carry-on bag (9 x 14 x 22 inches and weighing up to 40 pounds) and one personal item or smaller bag (e.g., a purse, camera or laptop case). Realize you'll have to check anything else along with larger luggage at ticketing counters. Find out about specific requirements for international flights from your airline.
Buy zip-top bags to hold liquids, such as shampoos, gels and lotions as well as makeup. Purchase small clear bottles to hold liquids or get travel size toiletry items at your grocer or drug store. Note that 3 oz. liquids and gels are permitted, but they must be in a quart-size clear zip-top bag that is easily removable from purses, suitcases and other carry-on bags.
Pack makeup and toiletries in different zip-top bags but know that you may only be allowed to walk through security with one quart-size zip-top bag. Even if you end up having to put some of the zip-top bags in your checked luggage, they're convenient and helpful for keeping stuff organized while traveling.
Leave any type of sharp object at home. Accept that you'll have to get out of line and go mail it to yourself if it isn't permitted through security. Exclude sharp nail files, scissors, pocket knives and even toe nail clippers from packing to efficiently get through airport security at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. If in doubt about items, leave them out.
Make sure you can easily remove and replace laptops, cell phones and other personal electronic devices from your carry-on bags. Avoid planning to carry on strange objects or items not understood or recognized by airport security, such as bizarre artifacts or weird electronic gadgets. Leave those things at home or mail them to yourself before you leave if you want to efficiently get through airport security at Austin International Airport.
Wear shoes that you can easily take off and put back on. Removing shoes is still required to get through security at most airports. Avoid wearing a shirt as a jacket over another shirt-security will likely make you take it off, and if you're wearing a skimpy shirt underneath (like a thin camisole), you might feel awkward as they examine your outer shirt). All types of jackets must be removed at security.
Keep luggage unlocked. Tie down clothes inside of luggage or put clothes and other items in clear or mesh bags if you don't want airport personnel messing up your things too much as they rifle through your stuff. Workers may or may not go through checked baggage. Make sure your carry-on bags meet acceptable size and shape standards.
Maintain a positive attitude when going through security. Have your I.D., tickets and boarding passes ready for check points. Be organized since others tend to be impatient. Make sure you don't have metal or aluminum objects in your pockets or on you anywhere before you enter the walk-through metal detector (e.g., underwire bras, buttons and even gum wrappers can set off security alarms).
Go through the security check point by removing your shoes, belt and jacket or over shirt and placing them in separate tubs on the security conveyor belt for the X-ray screening machine. Remove your laptop and also place it separately in a tub on the conveyor belt. Take out your cell phone and place it along with your purse or bag in a tub on the conveyor belt too. Get out your toiletries and/or makeup in zip-top bags and place them in a separate tub.
