Getting through the airport shouldn’t take you that long, but if you have a plan, and you stick with it, you can fly through the airport in no time.

Show up early

The best way to ensure you are not late for your flight is to show up at least two hours in advance.  Two hours may seem like too much time to spend waiting in the airport, but it is better to have a little extra time to wait than to miss your flight!  By the time you check your luggage, go through security and find your gate, those two hours may easily be whittled down to just a few minutes. With airport security as tight as it is these days, one never knows when a big delay might crop up.  Bring along a good book or magazine so that any time you have left to wait will not seem so boring.

Pack smartly

If possible, try not to check any luggage.  If you do check luggage, make sure it is easily identifiable so that you don’t waste time looking for it when you arrive at your destination.  The most efficient way to travel is with only carry-on luggage.  This way, one can skip baggage check altogether and move straight to security.  If you put enough thought into packing before you leave, you may find that everything you need fits nicely into a smaller bag.  Doing so not only reduces the amount of luggage you have to carry around, but it also removes the risk of your checked luggage being lost or misplaced.

Pay attention to FAA and airport regulations

There are many rules out there regarding what one can and cannot have in their carry-on luggage.  Liquids, sharp objects, wrapped packages and other such items may not be allowed in your carry-on.  These rules and regulations are usually posted all over the security areas within the airport, so there really is no excuse to ignore them.  It is a very unpleasant experience to have throw away or leave something behind just because you did not read the rules.  Moreover, when you are stopped by security and they have to inspect your bags by hand, you are delaying not only yourself, but everyone who is behind you in line.