Where to next?
Discover inspiring destinations, recommended by our in-house travel experts. Know the best places to go, who to book with and how to pay less.
Join Which? Travel5 surprising airport security mistakes slowing you down at new scanners, according to experts
How to avoid time-consuming second searches of your hand luggage
An Orwell prize-nominated investigative journalist, Kate lives in Portugal and covers news, travel rules, tourist taxes and visas.
Even experienced travellers can get pulled aside for manual bag checks.
Thanks to new CT scanners rolled out recently at UK airports, it’s now possible to place your bag on the conveyor belt without the inconvenience of unpacking liquids, and in some cases electronics.
That should, in theory, make things speedier in the security lane for holidaymakers. But, while some airports such as London City have reported the scanners have increased the pace of queues, there remains the possibility that your bag could be set aside for a second hand-search.
This can cost you precious time at the airport, especially during busy travel periods when bags pile up.
As a frequent traveller, I’ve picked up a number of tips which help me to avoid setting off the new scanners. We’ve also reached out to Smiths Detection, a major manufacturer of 3D scanners used in UK airports, to figure out what else travellers could be doing to avoid having their bags checked manually by security staff.
Read on for the five mistakes to avoid if you want to speed your way through airport security.
1. Keeping all items in your bag
Due to the new scanners, you may spot signs at security instructing you to leave your bag fully packed, including liquids and electronics.
But I’ve come to learn that certain items I travel with set off the scanners, for example a powdered protein supplement in a sealed bag or tupperware. Because of this, I’ve begun voluntarily unpacking items that seem to trigger second searches, placing them beside my bag in the tray.
Security staff may encourage you to leave your bag packed when placing it on the belt, or ask you to explain why you’re unpacking items. I’ve had no issues in this instance, but always follow their instructions if they insist you leave your bag packed.
Choose your cabin bag wisely this summer with a top-rated hand luggage provider
2. Layering electronics
On my most recent flight, I travelled with both a tablet and laptop, stowed in a protective pocket in my backpack. This seemed to trigger a manual search, with security asking me to unpack both items for closer inspection.
Smiths Detection confirmed that layering items in this way is a mistake to avoid, adding: ‘where possible, avoid stacking multiple electronic devices directly on top of one another in cabin baggage. Instead, place them side by side,’ it told us when we reached out for more information.
3. Packing water bottles incorrectly
Another item I’ve noticed getting attention from security staff at the airport is my double-walled insulated water bottle. For that reason, I’ll always empty it and place it into the tray alongside my bag — although if you’re keen to avoid delays, you could forego these types of items altogether.
Smiths Detection also confirmed that it’s wise to avoid packing bottles and liquid containers near to gadgets, explaining that they ‘should ideally be packed separately from electronic devices and not directly underneath or immediately adjacent to them'.
4. Getting mixed up on new liquid rules
When you’re flying from the UK, you’ll no longer need to present cosmetics and liquids in a transparent bag. Some airports have even scrapped the 100ml rule, and now allow you to pass through security with up to two litres of liquids in your hand luggage.
But watch out on your return journey — many EU airports still follow the previous rules, and may confiscate liquids over 100ml, or that do not fit into a transparent bag on your way back home.
5. Forgetting to check for bookable security slots
A growing number of UK and EU airports now offer passengers the chance to pre-book security slots for free. Many airports offer the slots to help ease congestion at peak travel times, and they can be a method for spending less time queuing to go through the scanners.
Find out which airports offer the service in our guide to free security queue skipping.
