Real-Life System Example #1: Airport Security Screening

Posted on May 26, 2010 | 1 comment

Earlier today I stood in line behind two people and waited patiently for them to place their belongings into bins and onto the belt to be x-rayed. I watched as personal belongings were pulled from multiple pockets of bags, coat pockets, and who knows where else. Oops! “I forgot about my watch.” One guy is now backtracking to the x-ray machine to put his watch into a small oval bin. “Sir, your shoes need to be removed and placed directly onto the belt!” yells one of the TSA officers.

I often chuckle whenever I observe this situation. Throughout the years, I have always enjoyed this part of travel as I watch different people utilize their own personal systems for making it through the security checkpoint. Some claim ignorance of the travel rules and restrictions. For others, it is possible that this is their first flying experience. However, the speed and efficiency at which someone makes their way through an airport security screening boils down to one thing: a personal system.

Some have a very slick and streamlined system. I like to think that I fall into that category. Before I even hit the initial boarding pass and identification checkpoint, I have everything metal out of my pockets and into my bag. Any cash in my wallet is removed and placed in my pocket. My wallet and any change is tucked away in my carry-on. My laptop computer is out and ready to be placed into a bin. The final steps of my personal process involve slipping off my shoes and removing my belt. Voila. It’s fast and easy. It is my own personal system that works every time in a repeatable and expeditious manner.

Even when traveling as a family with my wife and four children, we have developed a system that pushes a family of six (all children 8 and under) with multiple carry-on bags and strollers through the security checkpoint in a fraction of the time that it takes some individuals. I know – in the end it isn’t a race but wouldn’t it be nice to not have to wait in long screening lines as some individuals act as bottlenecks to the entire process?

At the very least it is interesting to think about what we can learn from this real-life system example. People that are inefficient and hold up the line lack a system for performing the task at hand. The ad-hoc approach to loading items into the x-ray machine is clumsy at best and breeds forgetfulness. The lack of a system causes errors and prevents someone from consistently assuring that they have everything picked and placed in the proper location and at the appropriate time for screening.

HINT: Ever see an “Expert Traveler” sign at an airport screening area and avoid that line due fear of not knowing whether you qualify? Here’s a little secret. Essentially any individual (except if you are traveling as a family I believe) can hop into the “Expert Traveler” line. After having used this line at numerous airports throughout the country, the purpose is that it provides a faster moving line for people who have a personal system.