We've all been there. You're in the airport security line, staring at your watch, and right ahead of you is "that" guy.
He decided today was a great day to wear lace-up steel-toe boots, a belt with a buckle the size of a soup plate and 43 loose coins in his pockets. While he sets up an entire camp at the plastic trays, your patience (and your time for a coffee before the flight) drains away.
Don't be that person. The airport is no place for slow motion. Here are the golden rules to turn yourself into a proper X-Ray Ninja and clear security in under 2 minutes:
1. Dress for the Mission (The Footwear Rule) 👟
Airport security isn't a fashion show. Pick practical clothes. The main secret? Footwear that's easy to slip on and off. Leave the high-top mountain boots and the trainers with 50 laces in your hold luggage. Slip-on sneakers or shoes you can kick off in a second are your best friends. And for goodness' sake, wear socks without holes — you never know when the security officer is going to ask you to take off your shoes!
2. The "All-In-One Jacket" Tactic 🧥
While you're inching forward in the queue, don't stand there staring at your phone. Use that time! Take your watch, coins, keys, wallet, belt and phone and stuff them into your jacket pockets or your backpack. When you reach the trays, all you have to do is take off the jacket and toss it in. Zero time wasted emptying pockets right in front of the machine.
3. Liquids and Electronics: Top of the Food Chain 💻
People still seem surprised by the liquids rule, as if it hadn't been around for nearly 20 years. Your transparent bag with 100ml bottles and your laptop/tablet HAVE to live at the top of your backpack. Don't bury them under your underwear and t-shirts and then dig through your bag in front of everyone. Just unzip, pull out the laptop, pull out the bag and move on.
4. The Tray Isn't There to Admire 🏃♂️
Has your bag come through the X-ray? Grab your tray and GET OUT OF THE LINE. Most airports have benches a few metres further along (or sofas) where people can dress and pack their stuff up. Don't stand there putting your shoes back on and tightening your belt at the very end of the conveyor belt, blocking everyone behind you.
The Real Ninja Saves Time... Long Before the X-Ray
Congratulations, you cleared security in record time and looked like a secret agent doing it. But what's the point of saving 15 minutes in the X-ray queue if you wasted 45 minutes circling the airport trying to find a parking spot for your car?
Your ninja mission has to start the moment you arrive.
Forget the endless hunt for a dark parking lot 3 kilometres from the terminal. Drive in the comfort of your own car and head straight to Departures.
Our Multipark drivers are waiting for you. While you grab your backpack and walk (with the confidence of someone who knows what they're doing) straight to the airport door, we handle the rest and take your car to our secure car park.
On the way back, you land, walk past the doors and your car will be waiting, ready to go. No waiting, no transfer buses, no headaches.
Be quick and smart. Run your Valet Parking quote at Multipark and master the airport like a pro!
