When you arrive at any airport, you’ll almost certainly be greeted with a line or series of lines that you need to clear to proceed to your terminal. Security procedures vary around the world but you’ll face some form of scrutiny of your bags and at least some search of your person.

In the States, it’s mostly done with machinery and a roster of TSA agents who have no time for nonsense or anything resembling a sense of humor. They are paid to take their jobs seriously, and this will become obvious if you don’t keep the line moving as they specifically ask you to.

This overreach is one that we are all just forced to endure and has been a prominent feature of all air travel since September 11, 2001. But I find the key to an uneventful passage through security is being prepared for the hoops you know you will have to jump through.

If TSA asks you to do something, it should be seen as more of a command than a request, the same way law enforcement may issue commands and you must obey them. The same rules apply here. The best way to get through this without enduring the additional violation of a “secondary” screening is to take it seriously, sort your belongings as advised, and be polite.

You’re going to notice a recurring theme in these posts and that is just a general point about how you should present yourself. Be polite and try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. You’re going to see people having anything from their best to worst day ever at the airport. A little empathy goes a long way.