This is a short guide on how to hurry at the airport without slowing down the queue or feeling stupid.
Steps
Step 1. Buy your airline tickets well in advance, on the internet or through an airline
If you buy them online and have the option to print your boarding passes, do so because it is recommended, especially if you don't have any luggage to check in.
Step 2. Pack your bags carefully, considering that you can often only take one bag with you and a smaller one that you can have on board
If you carry liquids in your hand luggage, such as creams, shampoos, body oils, etc. Make sure they don't exceed 100ml. Put them all together in an airtight plastic bag.
Step 3. Arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before your flight departs
This way you will have plenty of time in case of traffic, to check in or go through security.
Step 4. Depending on the size of your bags, you may need to pack more than one suitcase
Find your airline's check-in counter. They are usually indicated on signs outside the terminal in the departures section, and you can also find each airline's logo. Get in line and wait your turn. Usually you can find some sort of scale where you can measure your luggage, to see if the size is suitable for a hand luggage, or if you have to put it in the hold. Also consider that many airlines allow you to check in only one bag and have only one hand luggage. Also prepare a document (passport or identity card).
Step 5. Show the document to staff when asked
Place the suitcase to be checked on the belt near the counter. The staff will put a label on it and the suitcase will be taken away on the conveyor belt, or you will be asked to take it to a scanner. If you don't have any luggage to check in, tell the staff. The staff will then print your boarding pass, if you have not already printed it before. In some cases, if you don't have any bags to check in and have already checked in online, you can skip this step (in some cases Ryanair offers this solution).
Step 6. Now go through security and then go to your gate
First a policeman will check your passport and boarding pass, then you can continue. Then you will have to line up to pass your hand luggage in an x-ray machine and to pass under a metal detector. Hand luggage, all metal objects and shoes will have to go inside the x-ray machine. If you have bags with liquids you will need to take them out of the bag and set them aside. If you have electronic devices, such as PCs, video games or tablets, they will need to be taken out and scanned separately. Take off your jacket or sweater, as they need to be scanned separately. Remove metal objects such as keys, jewelry, belts, etc. Then take off your shoes and put them in a special container. If you have problems or are unsure of what to do, feel free to ask the security staff.
Step 7. Then an agent will ask you to go under the metal detector
Once past, you will find your items that have been scanned in the meantime. Put your shoes back on, take your carry-on baggage and any items that have been removed from your baggage or purse. Now you can go on.
Step 8. You are now in the boarding area
Here are the gates with their numbers; each gate indicates an outbound flight. The check-in staff may have already told you your gate number. The gate may also be printed on your boarding pass. Or you can check the departures screen, where you will find your flight number and gate number. Find the gate, following the signs with the numbering of all gates. It is very easy to find them, so don't worry.
Step 9. Sit in the waiting area and wait for boarding to begin
Step 10. Gate agents will announce boarding and provide instructions
When it is your turn you will have to give the boarding pass to the agent, who will scan it and then return it to you. Sometimes, part of the boarding pass is torn off and a small part will be returned to you.
Step 11. When you get on board, look for your assigned seat and put your suitcase on the shelf above
If you have a small piece of luggage that you want to keep handy, you can put it in front of you, under the seat in front, in order to leave space for your feet.
Step 12. Have a good trip
Advice
- Don't panic if you get lost at the airport. Simply ask the staff for help.
- Don't let anyone rush you when you are at security. If you forget to remove a metal object or don't want to take an electronic device out of your bag, you will slow down the queue. Relax, do things at your own pace and don't worry about others.
- When you've gone through the metal detector and recovered your belongings, take them all, including shoes, and look for a chair or table. This way you can arrange all your stuff and get dressed without blocking the line or being in the way and you can take your time.
- If you are checking in a suitcase, you can add liquids of any weight. Liquids in checked baggage do not have to follow the 100ml rule.
Warnings
- The traffic and chaos of the airport can cause stress and frustration. Take a deep breath and think about the next thing to do. Keep calm!
- Don't make jokes about bombs, attacks or terrorists, because security takes these things very seriously.
- Do not carry sharp objects with you or they will be seized from you.
