Mistakes you are making at the airport

As a seasoned and frequent flyer, i know a few tips and tricks of the trade from booking flights and getting the best deal to making my trip through the airport as quick and stress free as possible.

And so i give you the top mistakes you re probably making at the airport!

1. Not Checking in Online-You will literally save yourself time in line by checking in online.You could even literaly use the check in kiosks at some airline check ins rather than wait in line yet many just head straight for the line. When you book your flight have your ticket sent to you via text or email. If you check in online or at the kiosk, but have luggage to check, then it will go more quickly for you. but if you have no luggage to check then you can go straight through to TSA. Usually you can check in up to 24 hours before your flight and some airlines allow you to pick your seat when you check in online.
2. Not having the Pre TSA-check- Now i am in the process of getting this for myself sicne i have had WAAAAAY too many issues with TSA lines in my recent trips. Pre TSA lines are rarely long as you do not have to remove shoes, belts, check your electronics or anything you would have to do in a normal line. The application can be filled out and you have to pay an $85 fee and schedule an appointment at one of the numerous enrollment sites. It's alot but it pays off especially if you are a frequent flyer.
3. Not Dressing Correctly- I don't just dress for comfort for my flights. i dress for efficiency. Think about it. When you go through a TSA line you pretty much have to strip down to the bare minimum. So try to avoid wearing jewlery or shoes with laces. Anything that has metal do not put on your body on your way to the airport. Try to wear sandals or flats if the weather is appropriate. AND LORD BRING SOCKS I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH! 
4. Not bringing your own snack-most snacks are allowed but always check the TSA prohibited food list before packing your airport snack. Personally i do not mind buying breakfast or lunch at the airport but it can be overpriced at times. Sometimes i will bring my own snack if i want to save money or want more than just peanuts and a soda during my flight.
5. Not marking your bags- unless your luggage has a crazy or cool design that you know no one else would have, you will be hunting through the 300,000 plain black suitcases at baggage claim trying to figure out which one is yours. Always have a bright colored luggage tag or something to make your luggage stand out. There was a time when i was boarding a flight and at the last minute they switched my flight so my luggage stopped in New york as my original flight was planned to do while i went straight on to florida instead. Fortunately, i had a special design on my luggage and a bright colored luggage tag so it was quickly found, flown to florida and driven to the place where i was staying.
6. Using Airport Wi-fi- I only say this because i would caution you not to share personal info over the airport wifi because it is open therefore anyone can use it and you can be susceptible to hackers. If you can use your mobile hotspot on your phone.
7. Be Kind- Going through the airport can be stressing and confusing but always keep your cool and be polite and kind to the employees as they can work miracles. This past march i missed my flight returning home from paris due to a strike happening on the trains that delayed our schedule. I called the airline and the woman was very rude, insisting that i would have to buy another flight in order to get back home. she even hung up on me! (DO NOT FLY IBERIA !) American airlines ran under them and i spoke to all attendants at the counter and the manager on duty who assisted me with calling home and working something out. The attendant even allowed me to use her own cell phone to call home to explain to my family i would not be home until the next day. The manager was able to get me on a delayed flight home. But then the flight was so delayed i missed my connecting flight to orlando. Because no one explained why the flight was delayed and the woman saw i was very tired and stressed from my long flight but still being polite and as calm as possible, she arranged for a new flight for the following morning as well as a night's stay at the hilton and dinner on them for the inconvenience. That's what happens when you keep your cool and are polite. You get the absolute best service!