If airports weren’t already a hellscape, TikTok has discovered a approach to make them worse. Welcome to airport idea, a viral delusion that means you may roll as much as the airport quarter-hour earlier than boarding, waltz via safety, and nonetheless make your flight with time to spare. No stress, no ready, simply pure predominant character power.
TikTok creators like Michael DiCostanzo (@michael.dicostanzo) swear by it, documenting their dashes via high-traffic hubs like LAX, Atlanta Worldwide Airport, and submit–Tremendous Bowl New Orleans. Some viewers are offered. Others are calling BS.
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“So that you had PreCheck, didn’t examine a bag, and have been on the nearest terminal? Now let’s do it when it’s not the optimum scenario,” one person commented. And, certain sufficient, the web can also be plagued by failed makes an attempt—movies of forlorn TikTokers watching their flights take off with out them, their carry-ons stuffed with remorse.
It’s a enjoyable fantasy, which explains why “airport idea” has racked up over 400 million views on TikTok. Sadly, the the Transportation Safety Administration doesn’t care about your viral second. The nationwide common wait time for safety was 27 minutes, 16 seconds in 2024. And if you happen to’re flying out of a infamous bottleneck like JFK, Orlando Worldwide, or Chicago O’Hare, it’s nearer to 40 minutes. Google searches for “I missed my flight what do I do” have spiked 70 % previously month, per Google Traits. It’s not onerous to attach the dots.
Right here is your unhappy actuality examine: Airways nonetheless advocate arriving a minimum of two hours earlier than a home flight, three for worldwide. Generally that buffer looks like overkill. However would you relatively rush via the airport along with your coronary heart racing or have a couple of minutes to search out your gate, seize a bag of overpriced no matter, and scroll TikTok watching different individuals miss their flights? That seems like a significantly better airport idea to us.
Airport Hacks That Really Work
One of the best ways to get via airport safety unscathed is to maneuver such as you’ve finished this 100 instances earlier than. Somewhat planning, the suitable gear, and skipping social media stunts will get you from curb to gate with minimal stress.
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Time It Proper
- Journey off-peak. In keeping with CheapAir, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are sometimes much less crowded. Early flights between 5 and eight am and red-eyes (after 9 pm) are likely to have fewer passengers.
- Test TSA wait instances prematurely. The My TSA app (iOS, Android) offers real-time safety line updates at main airports.
Get the Proper Apps
Pack Sensible
Gown for Effectivity
- Empty your pockets earlier than safety. Stash every thing in your carry-on as an alternative of fumbling on the checkpoint.
- Preserve metallic jewellery, watches, and belts in your bag till after screening.
- Keep away from boots or high-tops. Slip-ons like Allbirds’ Tree Runners for $98 and the Rothy’s Driving Idler for $189—we have raved about them previously—make safety a breeze. In case you’re not planning on sprinting via the airport, the Bearpaw Martis Slippers ($70) are ultra-comfy.
- Skip cumbersome outerwear. Coats, hoodies with massive pockets, and something with extreme zippers simply gradual you down. If in case you have PreCheck, you may often preserve your footwear, belt, and light-weight jacket on.
Keep Organized
