Hello traveling friends

I apologize for not writing in a while! I have been, well….traveling. But don’t worry! My recent trips have provided me with some excellent blog material.

You may have noticed that over the last year airports have started trying to steer people to certain lines at security checkpoints: Families, Casual Travelers, and Expert Travelers. According to USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-03-05-tsa_N.htm?csp=34), the TSA found that segregating passengers speeds up security lines and eases traveler stress. I think this is a great idea, as long as people go to the line they are supposed to. However, everyone seems to think they are an expert traveler. I can’t figure out why today in Nashville two parents with their kids went through the Expert Line, even though they were clearly a family. I also don’t understand why people would think they are an expert traveler but then hold up the line for six minutes because he didn’t take his laptop out of the bag. OMG if you travel enough to think you’re an expert you should know that you have to take your laptop out of the friggin bag!! Deep breath, okay I’m calming down….

So, for those of you who may not be experts but want to get in that line anyway, here are a few tips so you fit in with the real experts.

• If you haven’t traveled in a while, even just a few months, go online to the TSA website to catch up with the latest guidelines.

• Get rid of all bottles of water or any other large amounts of liquid in your bag.

• Have all of the things you’ll have to take out of your bag near the top, ready to go.

• Get your ID and ticket ready before you get in line

• Once you get to the X-ray line get your stuff out, even if you don’t have bins yet. The usual things that need to go through the X-ray machine are:

• Plastic bag of toiletries (one quart size Ziploc bag, nothing over three ounces)
• Shoes
• Laptop and anything else that is a large electronic item, such as DVD player or gaming console

• Keep your boarding pass with you; DON’T put it away in your bag and send it through the machine. Some airports don’t need to see those anymore, but some do. And if you have put away your boarding pass and zipped up your bag and the TSA people need to see it—the people behind you in line will know for sure you are not an expert!!

• Once you and your belongings get through the machine, PLEASE don’t stand there putting your shoes on and your stuff back in your bag. That is holding up the line. Scoop up your stuff, grab your bag, and make your way over to the convenient bench that is just a few feet away. Then you will have plenty of time to put your stuff up just how you want it without people glaring at you.

So that’s it! That’s all you need to know! And if you don’t feel comfortable in the Expert Line,  don’t worry, the Casual Traveler line will be happy to have you.