Worth it? Extras to speed through airline security

Consider not printing your boarding pass at all
Travelers with Web-enabled mobile devices like a BlackBerry or iPhone can download their boarding passes, then hand over the devices for scanning by federal security screeners and airline gate agents. The service is not yet widely available, but it is expanding. Continental offers the mobile boarding pass option at more than two dozen airports.

A smartphone can cost $199 or more, but hey, you also get to call your friends, check your Facebook page and text your arrival time to the person picking you up. Some airlines even offer, for a fee, the ability to surf the Web with the devices in-flight.

If you have to print out your boarding pass at the airport, save time by doing it at a self-service kiosk.

Bottom line: Don’t buy a smartphone just to speed through security, but it is a nice device for a frequent flyer to have.

Consider buying a carryon liquid gels kit
Eagle Creek sells a kit for $15 that comes with a clear plastic zip top bag and four travel-sized squeeze bottles. The bottles hold up to 3 ounces of liquid. You would carry the kit separate from your other belongings.

That will save you the time and hassle of having to open your suitcase or purse and having to remove liquids after they are spotted by a screener.

You’re allowed to carry through security up to 3.4 ounces of liquid in a container in a 1-quart clear plastic zip-top bag.

If you want to bring a larger bottle of water, juice or soda on your flight, buy it after you get through security.

Bottom line: The kits are cheap, but only worth it if you carry a lot of liquids. Otherwise, stick with the Ziploc bag.

Oh, and one final tip. Make sure to have your boarding pass and identification at the ready. Not having to fumble around will save you a few minutes.

If all that doesn’t get you to your commercial flight on time, those travelers with plenty of disposable income might want to consider a piece of advice from Robert Mann, an airline industry consultant in Port Washington, New York: “A private jet.”