Get Ready for the Screening

Notice that several people in this line are talking on their mobile phones. But contrary to your usual routine, a phone is not what you should have in hand as you enter airport security.

When you enter the terminal, have your boarding pass and relevant photo ID in your hands, ready to enter the airport security line.

If this is not the case, stop.

Find a waiting area in the terminal and stow the following items in your carry-on baggage, camera bag or purse: wristwatch, metal belt, wallet, keys, jewelry, pocket change and mobile phone.

This is a time when you want to let go of the phone, stow it safely and move forward without it in your hand. It will have to be scanned -- and for your own security, it's better for the phone and these other items to be out of sight.

Keep in mind that travelers are sometimes targeted for theft. A wallet and an expensive phone are tempting for people who work security lines in attempts to steal the valuables of others. They count on the confusion and stress within the checkpoint to bring your guard down. Don't risk it. Stow everything and walk into the security area with empty pockets.

Dress for the Scanner

On the day of your flight, it's not a good idea to wear something with metal zippers or other features that will almost certainly set off the scanners and require an individual screening.

Likewise, piercings could set off a detector and result in a delay passing through airport security.

In most U.S. security checkpoints, it is necessary to remove your shoes. For the sake of swiftness, it pays to wear loafers or any other kind of shoe that can be removed and restored quickly.

The same is true of jackets. Stow them in your carry-on or be prepared to place them on the conveyor belt for scanning.

Get Behind a Competent Traveler

At larger airport security areas, you'll often have a choice of lines. One long line splits into several smaller lines as you approach the scanning checkpoint.

It's not always possible, but at least make an effort to scout out people in front of you who appear to be competent travelers.

Avoid lining up behind people who look confused, nervous or lost. Find the person who looks as if they go through this line four times a week.

They're prepared, confident and ready to pass through without any problems.

It's a simple tip, but you must get into the habit of practicing it if you want to clear checkpoints quickly.

Check Luggage for Surprises

On a trip recently, a member of my travel party nudged me as we approached the security checkpoint. At his side and out of sight was a pocket knife.

I was stunned.

He quietly explained that a few months earlier, he had used the suitcase during a move to transport small items. He noticed the shape of the knife on the outside of a zippered compartment just as we approached the security checkpoint.

If security personnel had found it, we might have been detained for questioning.

At the very least, the knife would not have been allowed past the checkpoint.

Faced with an urgent decision, he discarded knife in a trash can set up for bottled water and other items that won't make it through.

Make it common practice to check all the compartments of your luggage for potential contraband before you leave home.

Take out Laptops and Tablets

If you choose to travel with a laptop or a tablet, realize that it must come out of your luggage and go through the scanner in its own bin.

Some travelers believe they can save time by simply keeping it in the carry-on bag. Others think that when personnel see what is obviously a laptop bag, they'll simply let it go through the scanner.

This is an important exception to the previous advice about stowing expensive items.

You will almost always buy yourself delay and scrutiny if you fail to follow this rule.

The examination of laptops is almost universal, but the rule on unpacking tablets can vary between countries or even between checkpoints within a country.

In London, I failed to take out a tablet and it cost me about 30 minutes at the security checkpoint. Thinking it was not necessary proved to be incorrect, and the personnel proceeded to unpack and inspect every item in my luggage. This lengthy, intrusive process doesn't begin immediately at many checkpoints. You'll wait in line behind others who made the same mistake. Security personnel usually are not all that sympathetic about final boarding call concerns.

Assume all laptops and tablets need inspection and put them in plain sight. If there is someone else in your party, have them go ahead of you so they can keep an eye on your valuable electronics at the other end of the scanner.

Know the Restrictions on Liquids

As with laptops and tablets, any liquids, aerosols or gels in your carry-on luggage will receive attention at airport security checkpoints.

The best advice is to leave all such items at home, but that's not always practical. The next best approach is to stow all such liquids in a see-through plastic freezer bag.

In the U.S., you can bring liquids on a plane, but only in certain quantities.

The best way to remember the rule is to think of it as the 3-1-1 Regulation: bottles must be 3.4 fl.

oz. or less (100 ml), one quart transparent plastic bag hermetically sealed, and one bag per passenger placed in the inspection container.

Any quantity larger than 3.4 fl. oz. will not make it on the flight, and you'll be asked to discard it.

So as you work on preparing lightweight baggage prior to leaving for the airport, make the 3-1-1 routine part of your packing process.

If Randomly Selected, Keep Words to a Minimum

One moment you're waiting patiently in line, and the next moment someone says "You need to come with me."

It's a shocking moment. You fear you've been misidentified as a security risk. The natural inclination is to begin asking for an explanation.

But a better approach is to simply follow the instruction. Chances are good that you've been selected for "enhanced screening." Such screenings are supposed to occur at random.

This process can also surface if you trigger an alert -- perhaps you forgot to remove some change from your pocket.

The more you express your discomfort or disapproval, the more likely you'll be seen as a person of interest. The best policy is to follow directions.

This is not to suggest that you should become a doormat. There is a point at which you need to speak up if you think you're being treated unfairly. But most of the time, the enhanced screening ends within a minute or two and you're on your way.

Frequent Traveler? Sign up for TSA Precheck

It shouldn't surprise you that airline pilots and flight attendants breeze through airport security. They fly every day. They simply flash an ID badge showing their status.

But it is also possible for frequent fliers to breeze through the checkpoint. They experience lines that are far shorter. Sometimes, their security procedure is simplified.

How does one qualify for such status?

In the U.S., TSA Precheck involves filling out an application, filing fingerprints and paying an $85 administrative fee.

In late 2014, TSA extended the membership term from three years to five years.

The vetting process takes an estimated 2-3 weeks. There are nine participating airlines: Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, United, US Airways and Virgin America. The service is only available at about 100 major U.S. airports.

Some might wonder if such a program jeopardizes airport security. But the principle at work here is that known travelers who frequent the airports are much less risky. If you're a frequent-flier, take advantage of this opportunity.

Tip: Sign up for expedited U.S. Customs clearance through a program called Global Entry (cost is $100 for five years) and receive TSA Precheck at no added cost.

If you've ever tried to keep track of three or four bags while passing through airport security, you know it's slow and stressful business.

Maybe you had small children with you. Perhaps you were unaware that most airlines only allow one carry-on and one small bag.

Excess baggage devalues your trip. Limit yourself to one bag. This checkpoint is the first of many places where you'll benefit by keeping baggage to a minimum.

The people in line behind you will be grateful.

This sounds like obvious advice, but so many people fail to afford themselves the luxury of time and show up late at the airport.

In large airports, security lines tend to be long. Outbound business travelers can make Monday mornings slow and difficult, even in medium-sized airports. Holiday travel periods bring out lots of novice travelers who move slowly through security.

In these situations, allow 90 minutes or more to get through airport security.

You might not need that much time, but on occasion, the time cushion could save you the expense of a missed flight.