When you're flying, one step you have to go through is the security check. At this stage, passengers have their bags and themselves scanned to ensure safety.
Many people find this security check a bit troublesome because they have to take out several items from their bags and off their bodies. This can feel even more hectic when the airport is busy with lots of passengers.
To help this inspection go faster and more smoothly, get your luggage ready in advance. If you do this, you won't have to hurry to prepare your things when you're already at the security check.
In this article, I'm going to talk about the things you need to get ready before the security check. I'll cover items you need to take out of your bag and things you need to remove from your person. What are these items?
When you're carrying a laptop, tablet, or any electronic device bigger than a mobile phone, you need to take them out of your bag. These devices should be placed in a tray during the scanning process.
It's a good idea to keep these electronic devices near the front of your bag or close to the zippers. This makes it easier to take them out quickly when you're at the security check.
If your mobile phone is in your pants pocket, you'll need to remove it before going through the scanner. You can put your phone in a tray, or it might be safer to just place it in your bag.
You can carry liquids, aerosols, and gels in small containers, each not more than 100ml. Even if a larger container is not full and has less than 100ml inside, it's still not allowed in the cabin.
So, before you get to the security check, it's best to throw away any mineral water or other liquids that are over this limit. If you have a drink tumbler, make sure it's empty.
Besides the 100ml limit per item, all your liquids should fit into one clear, sealable bag no bigger than 1 litre. This bag should close well to avoid any leaks during your journey.
You don't usually have to take this clear bag out of your bag for screening. But, it's helpful to keep it near the front of your bag, so it's easy to show if the security staff want to check it.
If you're wearing a jacket, hoodie, sweater, or other layers, you need to take them off at the security check. These should be placed in a tray or in your bag before going through the scanner.
Removing your jacket helps the officer check your clothing more easily, ensuring you're not hiding anything not allowed. It also lets the scanner get a clearer view of your body than if you're wearing multiple layers.
Anyone wearing a hat or similar headwear needs to remove it before going through the scanner. You can then put your hat in your bag or on the tray with your other items.
Hats need to be removed so the officers can see your face clearly. Also, there's a concern that hats might be used to hide things that aren't allowed.
Belts are another item you have to take off before the inspection, whether they have metal in them or not. This is to prevent people from hiding illegal items with their belts.
Taking off a belt can be a bit of a hassle. That's why I like to remove my belt before I get to the security area and put it in my bag. To keep things simple, you could wear pants that don't need a belt.
Not every type of shoe has to be removed for screening. Usually, you only need to take off boots, heels, and high-top shoes. These shoes should go on the conveyor belt along with your other things.
For other kinds of shoes and sandals, you can usually keep them on while going through the scanner.
Watches need to be removed because they can set off the metal scanner, especially if they're made of metal. But even watches made of other materials, like smartwatches and smartbands, should be taken off. This makes it easier for the officer to check you.
You can put your watch in the tray with your other items. But if you're worried about it getting lost, it's a good idea to put it in your bag for safety.
Coins and keychains are often metal, so they'll make noise in a metal detector. It's best to take these out of your pockets and put them in your bag or the tray during the check.
This also goes for other small metal items you might have, like nail clippers and tweezers.
Apart from the items already mentioned, you should also remove things like wallets or passports from your pockets. This helps the officers check your shirt and pants pockets more easily.
Make sure to empty all your pockets before you go through the scanner. You can put everything you take out on the tray or in your bag to keep them safe.
So, that's the list of items you need to remove or take off during the security check at the airport. With good preparation, you can get through the process quickly and easily without any problems.
