Today flying on an airplane can be more of a hassle thana convenience. There are long, and often slow, lines when you're trying to go through the security checkpoint, there are a myriad of things you can't take on the plane with you, your flight and checking your baggage was probably expensive, and the list goes on. Going into the holidays and with more and more individuals across the country opting to fly instead of drive to their destinations, it's becoming increasingly more important to be a smart-traveler.  Being a smart-traveler means one thing: getting through airport security quickly and efficiently, getting on your plane, and flying off into the sunset-- or sunrise, depending on when your flight leaves. How can you be a smart traveler?

First of all, book your airport parking ahead of time!  If you are flying out of LAX, LGA, JFK, or EWR; you know that these airports see a large number of travelers.  Don’t wait and just assume there will be a parking spot available.  Plus, you can save money by using websites to book your airport parking instead of payinghigh prices at the airport long term lots. 

Eliminate as much of the last minute details prior toyour airport arrival as possible.  Before you wake up on the day of your flight, know what type of identification you need for the plane ride. There are many forms of ID that will work, such as a U.S. passport, a U.S. passport card, a driver’s license or other state-issued identity card, a Native American tribal photo ID, and more. You can see which forms of identification are acceptable by visiting the Transportation Safety Administration's website at tsa.gov. Have your identification in a safe and convenient place so that you will know exactly where it is before your flight.  It's also standard procedure to have it out and ready before you walk through security.

Knowing what you can and cannot have on an airplane isalso important if you want to get through security quickly. Many people carry liquids such as shampoos, soaps, contact solution, and make-up on their trips.If you plan to put these items in a carry-on, be aware that these are not allowed in their original containers and should be placed in three-ounce (orsmaller) bottles. Place your three-ounce bottles in a one-quart clear plastic, zip-lock bag. When you get to security, you’ll need to put the zip-lock bag in a security bin, so have the zip-lock bag in a bag that's easy for you to get to. If you want to carry your liquids in their original bottles, put them in your checked bag.

If you're unsure of what you can and cannot bring on an airplane, the best thing that you can do is research. Check out the Transportation Safety Administration's website and note what’s acceptable for air travel and what’s not. Being prepared for your flight and for your walk through security can not only make your travels easy, it also helps the people who are in line behind you. If you do happen to get stopped going through airport security, the best thing that you can do is remain calm. While getting stopped for security purposes is never fun, just remain patient. TheTransportation Safety Administration and their employees work hard every day to keep travelers safe, and when they do extra checks going through security, they only work to ensure the safety of flyers worldwide.