Be aware that any metal detected at the checkpoint must be identified. If you set off the alarm, you will be required to undergo a secondary screening, including a hand-wanding and a pat-down inspection.

You can remove metal items at the security checkpoint and place them in the bins provided. The bins will be sent through the X-ray machine. You can save time, however, by not wearing metal items or by placing such items in your carry-on baggage before you get in line.

TIP: Avoid wearing clothing, Jewelry, or other accessories that contain metal when traveling.

• Jewelry (pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyard or bolo tie)
• Shoes with steel tips, heels, shanks, buckles or nails
• Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs
• Metal hair barrettes or other hair decoration
• Belt buckles
• Under-wire brassieres

Hidden items such as body piercings may result in a pat-down inspection. You may ask to remove your body piercing in private as an alternative to the pat-down search.

TIP: Avoid placing metal items in your pockets.

Keys, loose change, lighters

Mobile phones, pagers, and personal data assistants (PDAs)

TIP: Instead, place jewelry and other metal items in your carry-on baggage until you clear security.

TIP: Pack your outer coat or jacket in your baggage when possible.

Outer coats including trench coats, ski jackets, leather jackets, overcoats and parkas must go through the X-ray machine for inspection. If you choose to wear an outer coat to the checkpoint, you will need to either place it in your carry-on or put it in the bin that is provided for you. You will not need to remove suit jackets or blazers unless requested by the screener.

Prohibited and restricted baggage items

Carry-on Baggage is a small piece of luggage you take onboard the air-plane with you. You are allowed one carry-on in addition to one personal item such as a laptop computer, purse, small backpack, briefcase, or camera case.

Checked Baggage is luggage you check in at the ticket counter or at curbside. It will not be accessible during your flight.

Below are a number of tips for packing your checked baggage that will help to speed your trip and ensure that your checked bag makes the flight with you.

Don't put film in your checked baggage, as the screening equipment will damage it.

Consider putting personal belongings in clear plastic bags to reduce the chance that a TSA screener will have to handle them.

Pack shoes, boots, sneakers, and other footwear on top of other contents in your luggage.

Avoid over-packing your bag so that the screener will be able to easily reseal your bag if it is opened for inspection.

If possible, spread your contents over several bags. Check with your airline or travel agent for maximum weight limitations.

Avoid packing food and drink items in checked baggage.

Don't stack piles of books or documents on top of each other; spread them out within your baggage.

Exercise

Feeling your muscles atrophy from all those flight delays? Hit the gym! Many airport hotels have fitness centres in them with day passes available for the public; some are even open 24 hours.

Spoil yourself

Airport day spas and massage shops have become ubiquitous at international airports. Have a fear of flying? Melt away your jitters with a muscle-tingling back or foot massage, or treat yourself to a facial treatment and a mani-pedi.

Lounge around

Once reserved for the hotshots in First Class, deluxe lounges can now be your home away from home - for a few hours, anyway - for a small fee. 

People-watch

If there’s anything airports are rarely short of, it’s people. Take an interest in your fellow travellers: play detective and see how much you can figure out about them through your powers of observation (or play fashion police and judge their bad taste in clothing instead).

Window-shop

Some airports these days almost seem like glorified shopping malls that just happen to have planes landing, and prices are high since there’s nowhere else to go. 

Get back to nature

If you’re flying through Southeast Asia, you can find a lovely green respite from the normal concrete-and-glass airport experience.

Take a day-trip

If you’ve got an extra long layover between flights, consider skipping the airport experience altogether and play tourist for a half a day.

Chow down

If you can’t bear the thought of tucking into a tray of single-serving generica on your flight, treat yourself to a good meal before you board. 

Enjoy some quiet time

Most airports have chapels and ‘quiet rooms’ that are good for a little bit of solitary introspection, whether you want to pray, meditate or just contemplate your belly button in silence for a while. 

Play

Singapore’s superstar Changi Airport pulls out all the stops in providing boredom-killers for its passengers. 

Sleep

Some travellers think sleeping in the airport is disturbingly analogous to sleeping on the street (especially during an overnight layover), while others have no qualms about catching some Zs on a terminal bench. 

Call your friends

Keeping in touch is very important for solo travellers - it is always a good idea to have a trusted friend back home who knows your itinerary and follows your status.

But even if you’re not travelling solo, why not call your grandma or your sister and finally listen to their never ending stories.

Treasure hunt

Alternatively, if you are at a smaller airport, you can still study its layout. You can start an expedition to find the best, most comfortable or quietest waiting area. Research all the bathrooms and nominate the cleanest of them all.

Find the shortest routes to the food area and the kiosks. Discover the baggage wrapping machines or a TV-equipped free lounge. All the electricity sockets and the best wifi spots (plus the wifi password!).

Plan your trip

Why not buy a guidebook or browse the internet and make a list of things you want to see and do at your destination. Research ticket prices, free museums, street festivals and fun activities, dream a little.

Play cards or pen-and-paper games

If you’re travelling with friends, card games can be an amusing pastime. Alternatively, if you’re travelling alone, you can still enjoy solitaire, for example.

Read a book

You can read books online, download these on your phone (there are plenty of apps) or simply visit the airport bookstore. This may turn into a great opportunity to research the latest popular titles or find a new favourite author.

Play the photographer

If you haven’t started the airport-selfie challenge, this is your chance. You can make fascinating photos of planes or find funny hidden spots worth photographing.

You can even make a funny video of yourself ‘’punting’’ while riding the empty moving walkway.

Take a nap

You must be tired after all of the above, so it’s finally time for a nap. You will need your headphones for this and a jacket. Remember that air planes and airports can be quite chilly so it’s always a good idea to wear comfortable and warm clothes.

Ride the terminal train

Huge airports have special trains or buses that go around and connect all terminal buildings. Why not try and ride one of these and explore the area. You may be lucky enough to have the whole train to yourself, isn’t that a treat?

Write in your diary

Waiting at the airport means peace and quiet and time for yourself. Time to reflect and write in your diary, describe the most beautiful, the saddest, the most exciting, the most surprising.

Become a plane-spotter

Most terminals are built with plenty of vantage points to view the airport's comings and goings. Unleash your inner travel geek!