It’s a headache you face when you go on holiday. What do you pack, how much can you carry, will you get stopped by security?
This year make the difference. Prevent the chances of getting stopped by security, you could avoid person screening altogether by taking the professional travellers guide to catching a plane.
This chart shows how many passengers flew through the major UK airports last year.
| Gatwick | Air transport 2013 | % change from previous year | Terminal passengers in 2013 | % change from previous year |
| Heathrow | 469,578 | -0.4 | 72,332,160 | 3.4 |
| Stansted | 132,234 | 0.6 | 17,844,355 | 2.2 |
| Luton | 70,954 | -1.1 | 9,693,850 | 0.8 |
| Manchester | 161,063 | 0.4 | 20,682,907 | 5.2 |
| Bristol | 53,971 | 6.5 | 6,125,207 | 3.5 |
| Liverpool | 32,956 | -8.1 | 4,186,091 | -6.1 |
As you can, with so many people opting to go on holiday or fly business class, security at airports is understandably strict.
To prevent hold ups with travel we suggest preparing yourself fully.
Here’s what you need to know to whizz through security
Learn the rules
Airports have a system of rules and you need to follow their game. This isn’t a time to test airport security. You have to stick to convention. Don’t try to undermine the powers that be, this will end badly, trust us, we know what we are talking about at Scan X Security.
Get to know the rules before you fly and security will leave you alone.
Airport security rules in 4 steps
Step 1 – Liquids
You can still take liquids onto your flight but they have to be separate from your hand luggage. Liquids should be less than 100mls and contained within a clear plastic bag.
Examples of liquids are:
- Water
- Lotions
- Body oils
- Perfume
- Sprays
- Gels
Have the clear bag ready for inspection and be prepared to hand it over to officials when asked.
Step 2 – Hand luggage
Must be less than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Take extra care when packing hand luggage. Anything sharp, flammable or potentially weapon like should be avoided. Examples of prohibited items include:
- Replica guns
- Knives
- Razor blades
- Scissors
- Syringes
- Darts
- Lighter fuel
- Nails
- Explosives
Step 3 – Loose items
These should be removed before you approach a scanning machine. Items that fall into this category might be:
- Keys
- Loose change
- Mobile phones
- Any metal objects
Other items you might want to remove before passing through a scanner include:
- Belts
- Watches
- Jewellery
- Coats or jackets
Step 4 – Electronic items
Something else you should declare to security is any electronic goods you might be carrying inside hand luggage. These might vary from person to person but classic examples are:
- Digital cameras
- Media tablets
- Mobile phones
- Netbooks
- E-readers
Most airports are introducing non-invasive body scanners to enhance security measures. Be prepared and you’ll be fine.