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You are over-thinking it. Security is a 2 minute drill you have to go through, not a big deal. The worst part is the long lines.
Wear what you will be comfortable in, not what makes the TSA check easier. It already is easy.
I agree OP is over-thinking it. Just be sure you get there at least two hours prior. If there are no lines, yippee, relax on the other side. If there are lines you can relax that you have gotten there in plenty of time.
Mod cut.
Last edited by PJSaturn; 08-29-2016 at 08:46 AM..
Reason: Orphaned (quoted post has been deleted).
I just went through LAX as well and when I put my shoes (and only my shoes) in the bin, a TSA agent "scolded" me for using up a valuable bin, took my shoes out, and put them directly on the belt. She said "Do you know how many of these bins we have to bring back and forth during the day? Thousands!" ... so I said "Whatever you want me to do is fine, just let the passengers know what to expect beforehand." This is the first time in all my trips that I was told to take my shoes out of the bin.
ok. and I'll just have to remove my belt right? and a sweater if I put it on?
You have to remove your thongs and put them into the tray for scanning, along with your belt. Your lap top will need to be put into a tray also. I like to wear socks, and slip on shoes, so I avoid being barefooted in the security area.
Easy solution: Put the shoes on the belt immediately in front of the tub. If your shoes would get hung up in the exit end flaps they will be pushed through by your tub.
ok, I'm flying to Los Angeles in a few days, and I was wondering if you guys could give me any tips so I can breeze through security hassle free. My friend told me to 'dress appropriately' for security, but didn't really elaborate, so I dunno what she meant. here's the exact outfit I planned to wear to the airport (yeah, I plan my outfits...only for stuff like this though)
I know I have to take off my belt. I was told not to wear a hat. can I put my laptop in my backpack or is it better if it goes in my suitcase? I'm probably making a much bigger deal out of this than I need to...
anyway, thanks!
Clothing is fine. Footwear is important....something you can get off and on quickly and easily.
Keep your laptop with you! Don't ever put a laptop, iPad, etc in your suitcase especially if you check your luggage. You'll never see it again if you check it.
The OP's outfit looks fine for flying. When in a confined place, comfort is important, so it's good to wear flexible clothes that aren't too tight or too baggy.
When going through security, outer jackets must be removed but sweaters need not be. The biggest pain is having to take off shoes. I'm not a flip flop guy, but I can see the practicality of wearing them since they come on and off easily.
People used to dress up to fly since it was once an elite and exciting thing. Those days are long gone. As long as a person is clean, I don't care what he/she wears. For me, the biggest concern when flying coach is whether the person next to me is fat enough to spill over into my space. Being trapped in a window seat next to such a person would make me crazy.
Yeah, I wanted to wear something that didn't make me look suspicious or anything lol.
They're really going to make me take off my flip flops though? Lol, what the hell can I hide in a flip flop? I don't really mind walking barefoot through security as long as it's not too long...what is it, 20 seconds ?
Unless you're pre-check, shoes come off. The agents didn't make the rules. They aren't going to evaluate which shoes could hide something and which could not, all shoes come off.
Another point I've not seen mentioned - there is usually an agent there telling people what to remove or not. Listen to them. Procedures sometimes vary. I've been through lines where they told people to leave shoes on.
All of these tips are oriented towards making the process flow smoother, making it quick and easy to pass through security. Mostly by being prepared to do what they are going to want you to do. Looking "suspicious" isn't really relevant. You're approaching it wrong if that is your focus. Security isn't going to be more lax with you because you look like a happy young man dressed for vacation. They aren't going to profile you based on clothes but they are going to scan you and if your clothes make it more tedious to do that then it is going to be more tedious.
What is more likely to attract "extra" attention from security is talking. Don't be talking in the line especially trying to make small talk with them about how their day is going or how crowded it is or such.
I've seen people put their shoes directly on the conveyor belt, and the friend I was with does it all the time when she flies. I read online that you can do it too. but it's not even the fact that he put them on my sweater, it was the manner in which he did it. he sighed and gave me a dirty look, and just shoved them on top of my sweater, and they actually left dirt marks on it (the soles were directly on the sweater, and it was kinda wet outside). There are nicer ways to point out my 'mistake' than that.
Please don't be looking for reasons to be offended. He has a mind numbingly boring job and is frustrated from dealing with idiots all day long. They have probably had to stop the show and fish out small objects that got hung up inside the scanner too many times.
Clothing is fine. Footwear is important....something you can get off and on quickly and easily.
Keep your laptop with you! Don't ever put a laptop, iPad, etc in your suitcase especially if you check your luggage. You'll never see it again if you check it.
Lithium batteries (ie computer and phone batteries) are also generally banned from checked luggage because they're seen as fire hazards. If an offending battery is in an overhead bin or under a seat, a flight attendant with a fire extinguisher can see and control the problem well enough for an emergency landing to be made. A fire that starts in the cargo area, not so much.
Not that this kind of thing is extremely, extremely rare. As is any incident that might require the emergency evacuation of a plane. However, many safety folks will say 'no sandals, no synthetic fibers next to the skin' in case you do hit a million to one scenario.
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