Don’t you hate when you get to the airport, maybe you’re running a bit late, and then the line for security is out the door?
I’ve never missed a plane because of a long security line, though that may just be a combination of not flying terribly often, and still being super paranoid about getting to the airport nice and early.
TSA Pre-check
Obviously one of the easiest ways to bypass (most) long security lines is to sign up for TSA Pre Check. It does cost $85, but if you are a frequent air traveler, it’s probably worth it. There are a few credit cards that will give you a rebate on it, such as the American Express Platinum card or the Citi Executive Platinum card.
We don’t fly super often, so haven’t ended up signing up for Pre Check, but at the rate we are earning miles and points, maybe it’s time to reconsider?
Other tips and tricks
Carolyn and I were in Las Vegas a few weeks ago for a conference, and after we checked out of our nice hotel, we made our way to the airport. Our taxi dropped us off in Terminal 1 and we went inside. We were flying Southwest out of Concourse C, and when we went in there, it was a zoo.
The security line was so long, and people were joining it at such a rapid rate, that they actually had an airport worker holding up a sign saying where the line started
We were actually heading back to the American Express Centurion Lounge, which is in Concourse D, so we took a gamble and kept on going through the terminal past the giant security line. Bingo! The security line was literally empty – we walked right through.
Green line to the backed up Terminal C Security checkpoint, then orange line to the wide open Terminal D checkpoint
Right at the end of my orange arrow, it looks something like this
You can walk over to Concourse C, or take the tram to Concourse D, which is what we did (to head to the lounge)
Other Airports
Obviously that particular trick will only work at Las Vegas McCarran airport. But my point in writing it is that most larger airports have multiple security checkpoints, and it can pay to know where they are and how long they typically take.
TSA has a website and even a mobile app that supposedly tracks this, but from what I was seeing, because they aren’t maintained actually BY the TSA (instead by fellow travelers), the data isn’t super recent. Still, it DOES give a list of the different checkpoints and where they are, so if you get to one that is backed up, you can investigate where the other checkpoints are. In my experience, the ones that are at smaller terminals and/or international gates are often less crowded.
For Boston Logan airport, Fly and Dine has a tip that lets you buy a raw oyster for $2.75 in Terminal C at the Legal Seafood shop that gets you a “First Class” stamp on your Boarding Pass which lets you skip the regular line.
What about you? What’s your worst security experience or your best tip for avoiding one?
This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as thepointsguy.com. This may impact how and where links appear on this site. Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers and that compensation may impact on how and where card products appear on the site. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by my advertising partners and I do not include all card companies, or all available card offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers and other offers and benefits listed on this page. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Other links on this page may also pay me a commission - as always, thanks for your support if you use them
User Generated Content Disclosure: Points With a Crew encourages constructive discussions, comments, and questions. Responses are not provided by or commissioned by any bank advertisers. These responses have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the responsibility of the bank advertiser to respond to comments.
Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
For LAS, can you go through security for C/D and still get to terminals A or B or do you have to exit and go back through security again? Looks like there may be a connector right next to gate C25 that connects to the other airside terminals. We’d do the same as you and go to the Centurion lounge.