Although I really hope this will end tomorrow, I wanted to share some tips if you need to travel this weekend and next week.
- Check wait times in advance. I heard that big airports such as LGA post estimated wait times on their website.
- Make sure you are not bringing prohibited items when you go through TSA. This will make the wait longer for you and everyone else. You are allowed to bring in your carry-on bag:
- Alcoholic beverages that are less than 3.4 oz/100 ml
- Antlers
- Artificial skeleton bones
- Baby food, baby formula, baby powder, baby wipes
- Bottle opener
- Bottled water that are less than 3.4 oz/100 ml
- Breast milk
- Food
- Stay alert when you stand in the security line. This way you are ready to get everything out of your pockets, remove your shoes, and be ready when it’s your turn.
- Enroll in TSA pre-check which cost $85 for a five-year membership. It makes the screening faster. However, if you are like me and are wearing shoes with small heels, you will still have to remove your shoes at the TSA pre-check line. I have to wear shoes with heels because I am not very tall (LOL).
- Download the MyTSA App because it is a great resource to check delay information as well as the current weather conditions at your airport.
- Come to the airport early enough. Normally, you are supposed to arrive at the airport at least one hour early for a domestic flight, and two hours early for an international flight. That’s only if you fly like me out of Kansas City airport. However, if you fly out of Los Angeles or New York for instance, you might want to get there even earlier.