Things you should never do at airport security

If you're traveling through US airports, you'll need to show the security agent your boarding card and ID. Have this to hand before you reach the agent, if you're frantically searching for your documents, you'll hold up the line behind you and annoy the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) staff.

1 / 30 Fotos

Trying to sneak through the PreCheck line -

In US airports, people who pay to use the PreCheck line don't have to remove their shoes, belts, toiletries, and electronics. Don't try and cut in line if you haven't paid for the service, as you'll not only annoy the TSA staff but the people behind you too.

2 / 30 Fotos

Not taking off your shoes -

Removing your shoes is common in many airports. It's best to wear shoes that you can easily slip on and off to avoid holding up the line and ticking off security agents.

3 / 30 Fotos

Forgetting to empty your pockets -

Be it coins or car keys, make sure your pockets are empty. Not doing so can hold up the people behind you and cause extra work for the security staff. Plus, while you're being searched, your bags will cause a backlog at the end of the luggage belt.

4 / 30 Fotos

Abandoning your bags on the belt -

Wait with your belongings on the luggage belt until they're on the final section before the scanner. If you don't, another traveler could put something in your bag, causing you to get flagged, or your bags could get stuck before going through the scanner and you won't be there to push them through.

5 / 30 Fotos

Attempting to sneak in liquids over the size limit -

There is a 3.4-ounce (100-milliliter) rule for liquids in carry-ons. If you try to hide anything over that amount in your hand luggage, your bag will be searched, and the security agent will be very annoyed.

6 / 30 Fotos

Leaving bottles of water in your bag -

If you forget about a half-empty bottle of water in your bag, your bag will be searched, and the security agent won't be very pleased when they uncover it.

7 / 30 Fotos

Not taking out devices larger than a cell phone -

When you arrive at security, the staff will tell you that anything larger than a cell phone must be removed from your bag. If it isn't, you'll be flagged and searched, wasting the agents' time.

8 / 30 Fotos

Petting the K9 dog -

In the US, over 1,000 dogs are working in airports. But no matter how cute they look, trying to pet them is forbidden and a guaranteed way to get in trouble with the security staff.

9 / 30 Fotos

Talking on the phone while going through security -

Staff will provide instructions and important announcements during the security screening process. Talking on your phone may mean you and other people around you miss out on key information, which, in turn, frustrates security agents.

10 / 30 Fotos

Making inappropriate jokes -

Making jokes about hiding weapons or terrorism can get you in big trouble. Security agents are trained to take all remarks seriously, and they won't find them funny.

11 / 30 Fotos

Placing the wrong items in the bins or directly on the belt -

Security staff often repeat what does and doesn't need to go in the bins, so if you don't follow their instructions, it's likely they'll be a little ticked off.

12 / 30 Fotos

Asking to skip the line because you're going to miss your flight -

It's your responsibility to arrive at the airport with enough time to complete all the ticketing, baggage checks, and security clearance procedures. Begging an agent to let you through because you're going to miss your flight is unlikely to go in your favor.

13 / 30 Fotos

Trying to travel with CBD or cannabis products -

Even if CBD and cannabis are legal in the place where you take off and land, you can't travel with either. Not disposing of these products could hold up the line and annoy security staff.

14 / 30 Fotos

Not removing liquids -

Airport security usually requires you to remove liquids from your hand luggage. If they're left in your bag, they'll have to be manually inspected, causing major delays.

15 / 30 Fotos

Being overdressed -

If you're wearing complex clothes, like boots with many laces or pants with sequins or other elaborate decorations, a secondary screening is more likely, and it'll hold up the line.

16 / 30 Fotos

Faulty luggage -

Broken or over-packed suitcases can be time-consuming for security agents to manually check, which may then cause delays in the security process.

17 / 30 Fotos

Carrying prohibited items -

Every airline and airport website details prohibited items that are not allowed in your carry-on. Read the information before you pack to ensure you don't waste your or anyone else's time.

18 / 30 Fotos

Being disorganized -

Have everything in order before you reach security so you're not frantically trying to get your affairs in order while in line. This will ensure a stress-free experience for you and the security agents.

19 / 30 Fotos

Unsupervised children -

Allowing children to run around unsupervised can be dangerous and disrupt screening operations. Consider having another adult accompany you to help keep an eye on the kids.

20 / 30 Fotos

Packing excessive food items -

Packing excessive food items can make your luggage subject to additional screening, so consider packing a reasonable amount and keeping them separate from each other.

21 / 30 Fotos

Forgetting items -

Leaving items in the bins can slow the process down and create extra work for security staff. Double-check that you have everything, especially essential items and valuables.

22 / 30 Fotos

Not returning your bin -

Not returning your bin to the designated area after you've removed your belongings causes extra work for security staff.

23 / 30 Fotos

Avoiding questions -

If your bag is flagged for inspection, you'll be asked a series of questions. Cooperating with the security agent and answering the questions honestly without assuming you know what they are looking for will make the process easier for you and them.

24 / 30 Fotos

Arguing with security staff -

If you find yourself having additional security checks, it's best to remain calm and cooperate. Getting angry will only annoy the agents and arouse suspicion.

25 / 30 Fotos

Scanning yourself before your children -

You should always let your children go through the scanners before you as it may cause issues for agents if a parent needs additional checks before their child has made it through the scanners.

26 / 30 Fotos

Repacking luggage at the scanners -

Repacking your bag at the end of the scanning belt is a major pet peeve of security agents as it causes congestion and holds up the security screening process.

27 / 30 Fotos

Not removing jewelry -

You'll need to remove your jewelry before going through the scanners, as the more you wear, the longer the security process will take, which isn't ideal for security agents.

28 / 30 Fotos

Not declaring money -

While it's perfectly legal to carry cash, large sums of money need to be declared, or it will raise suspicion. Declaring your money will make the lives of the security agents a lot easier.

Sources: (Reader's Digest) (Travel + Leisure)

29 / 30 Fotos

0 / 30 Fotos

Not having your security card and boarding pass ready -

Shutterstock

1 / 30 Fotos

Trying to sneak through the PreCheck line -

Getty Images

2 / 30 Fotos

Not taking off your shoes -

Removing your shoes is common in many airports. It's best to wear shoes that you can easily slip on and off to avoid holding up the line and ticking off security agents.

Getty Images

3 / 30 Fotos

Forgetting to empty your pockets -

Getty Images

4 / 30 Fotos

Abandoning your bags on the belt -

Getty Images

5 / 30 Fotos

Attempting to sneak in liquids over the size limit -

Getty Images

6 / 30 Fotos

Leaving bottles of water in your bag -

If you forget about a half-empty bottle of water in your bag, your bag will be searched, and the security agent won't be very pleased when they uncover it.

Getty Images

7 / 30 Fotos

Not taking out devices larger than a cell phone -

When you arrive at security, the staff will tell you that anything larger than a cell phone must be removed from your bag. If it isn't, you'll be flagged and searched, wasting the agents' time.

Getty Images

8 / 30 Fotos

Petting the K9 dog -

In the US, over 1,000 dogs are working in airports. But no matter how cute they look, trying to pet them is forbidden and a guaranteed way to get in trouble with the security staff.

Shutterstock

9 / 30 Fotos

Talking on the phone while going through security -

Getty Images

10 / 30 Fotos

Making inappropriate jokes -

Making jokes about hiding weapons or terrorism can get you in big trouble. Security agents are trained to take all remarks seriously, and they won't find them funny.

Getty Images

11 / 30 Fotos

Placing the wrong items in the bins or directly on the belt -

Security staff often repeat what does and doesn't need to go in the bins, so if you don't follow their instructions, it's likely they'll be a little ticked off.

Getty Images

12 / 30 Fotos

Asking to skip the line because you're going to miss your flight -

Getty Images

13 / 30 Fotos

Trying to travel with CBD or cannabis products -

Even if CBD and cannabis are legal in the place where you take off and land, you can't travel with either. Not disposing of these products could hold up the line and annoy security staff.

Getty Images

14 / 30 Fotos

Not removing liquids -

Airport security usually requires you to remove liquids from your hand luggage. If they're left in your bag, they'll have to be manually inspected, causing major delays.

Shutterstock

15 / 30 Fotos

Being overdressed -

If you're wearing complex clothes, like boots with many laces or pants with sequins or other elaborate decorations, a secondary screening is more likely, and it'll hold up the line.

Shutterstock

16 / 30 Fotos

Faulty luggage -

Broken or over-packed suitcases can be time-consuming for security agents to manually check, which may then cause delays in the security process.

Shutterstock

17 / 30 Fotos

Carrying prohibited items -

Every airline and airport website details prohibited items that are not allowed in your carry-on. Read the information before you pack to ensure you don't waste your or anyone else's time.

Getty Images

18 / 30 Fotos

Being disorganized -

Getty Images

19 / 30 Fotos

Unsupervised children -

Allowing children to run around unsupervised can be dangerous and disrupt screening operations. Consider having another adult accompany you to help keep an eye on the kids.

Getty Images

20 / 30 Fotos

Packing excessive food items -

Packing excessive food items can make your luggage subject to additional screening, so consider packing a reasonable amount and keeping them separate from each other.

Getty Images

21 / 30 Fotos

Forgetting items -

Leaving items in the bins can slow the process down and create extra work for security staff. Double-check that you have everything, especially essential items and valuables.

Shutterstock

22 / 30 Fotos

Not returning your bin -

Not returning your bin to the designated area after you've removed your belongings causes extra work for security staff.

Shutterstock

23 / 30 Fotos

Avoiding questions -

Getty Images

24 / 30 Fotos

Arguing with security staff -

If you find yourself having additional security checks, it's best to remain calm and cooperate. Getting angry will only annoy the agents and arouse suspicion.

Getty Images

25 / 30 Fotos

Scanning yourself before your children -

You should always let your children go through the scanners before you as it may cause issues for agents if a parent needs additional checks before their child has made it through the scanners.

Getty Images

26 / 30 Fotos

Repacking luggage at the scanners -

Repacking your bag at the end of the scanning belt is a major pet peeve of security agents as it causes congestion and holds up the security screening process.

Shutterstock

27 / 30 Fotos

Not removing jewelry -

You'll need to remove your jewelry before going through the scanners, as the more you wear, the longer the security process will take, which isn't ideal for security agents.

Shutterstock

28 / 30 Fotos

Not declaring money -

While it's perfectly legal to carry cash, large sums of money need to be declared, or it will raise suspicion. Declaring your money will make the lives of the security agents a lot easier.

Sources: (Reader's Digest) (Travel + Leisure)

Getty Images

29 / 30 Fotos

Things you should never do at airport security

From talking on the phone to being overdressed

26/03/25 | StarsInsider

TRAVEL Flying

After the tragic events of 9/11, stricter security measures were put in place in airports across the world. Going through the security checkpoints as a traveler can be a stressful experience, especially if you're unprepared. But this unpreparedness makes it difficult for the security staff.

Travelers talking on the phone, forgetting to empty their pockets, and abandoning their bags on the belt cause frustration for airport employees. So, if you have a flight coming up and want to keep on the good side of the security personnel, click through this informative gallery to discover 29 things that annoy airport security staff.