You know the drill, you get to the airport, check in and start queuing at those security lines. Just about every airport in the World has them and you can't avoid them, but to get through them expertly like the frequent flyer you are (or want to be), here are a few tips to make speed up your time in the security and fasttrack you through. Think about this ahead, so you're prepared before you get to the head of the line.

Firstly, make sure that you've emptied your pockets of loose change. You'll need one of those little bins or trays that they provide to put your Wallet and cell phone into. Remember your bling, like heavy watches, bracelets, and even belt buckles can set off the alarm, so to be sure take those off, and put them into your carry-on bag before you're at the front holding everyone else up while you're doing it in front of their glares.

Put books and snacks together so that you don't have as many things to gather back up once you've completed the security screening.

To prevent shoebombers in the United States, you have to take your shoes off. If you have them, slip-on shoes will come off and go on faster. Zippers and laces will slow you down and remember to have your shoes ready, untied or unzipped. Take care that you don't trip over before you've put them back on. That could be very embarrassing.

Before you get in the line, put all of your liquids, creams and gels in one of those one quart/one litre plastic bags. Take them out of your carry-on luggage and put them one of those trays. Remember that each liquid needs to be 3 ounces/100 ml or less and there shouldn't be any loose liquids in your carry-on bag. If you do have medical liquids or baby food, most countries allow that they can be outside of your plastic bag allowance, but you have to notify someone about it.

Have a plan when you put things into bins on the screening belt. Putting things through the x-ray machine in the right order will enable you to put yourself back together quicker afterwards. Here's a good way to do this:

   1. Put your shoes, coat and your carry-on "personal items" in the first tray. Since they will come through first you can put them back on while you're waiting for everything else to come through.

   2. If you're carrying a laptop, put your laptop bag through before your computer. This way you'll have the bag ready for the computer as it comes through.

   3. If putting your shoes back on is going to take you a while, collect your belongings together and then move to the side so that the line doesn't get jammed up.

Almost half of all bottlenecks occuring at the airport security checkpoint are caused by people putting themselves together after they've been screened without moving to the side... don't let this be you!

So remember these tips next time you travel and you'll move through that security checkpoint expertly with a plan. Good luck and happy travelling!

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