If airports weren’t already a hellscape, TikTok has discovered a strategy to make them worse. Welcome to airport idea, a viral delusion that implies you’ll be able to roll as much as the airport quarter-hour earlier than boarding, waltz by means of safety, and nonetheless make your flight with time to spare. No stress, no ready, simply pure principal character vitality.
TikTok creators like Michael DiCostanzo (@michael.dicostanzo) swear by it, documenting their dashes by means of 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 verify a bag, and had been on the nearest terminal? Now let’s do it when it’s not the optimum state of affairs,” one person commented. And, positive sufficient, the web can also be suffering from 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 should you’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 Developments. It’s not laborious to attach the dots.
Right here is your unhappy actuality verify: Airways nonetheless suggest arriving at the least two hours earlier than a home flight, three for worldwide. Generally that buffer appears like overkill. However would you slightly rush by means of the airport along with your coronary heart racing or have a couple of minutes to seek out your gate, seize a bag of overpriced no matter, and scroll TikTok watching different individuals miss their flights? That feels like a a lot better airport idea to us.
Airport Hacks That Truly Work
One of the simplest ways to get by means of airport safety unscathed is to maneuver such as you’ve executed this 100 instances earlier than. A bit planning, the best 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 inclined to have fewer passengers.
- Verify TSA wait instances upfront. The My TSA app (iOS, Android) offers real-time safety line updates at main airports.
Get the Proper Apps
Pack Sensible
Costume for Effectivity
- Empty your pockets earlier than safety. Stash the whole lot 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. If you happen to’re not planning on sprinting by means of the airport, the Bearpaw Martis Slippers ($70) are ultra-comfy.
- Skip cumbersome outerwear. Coats, hoodies with huge pockets, and something with extreme zippers simply sluggish you down. If in case you have PreCheck, you’ll be able to often maintain your footwear, belt, and light-weight jacket on.
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