If airports weren’t already a hellscape, TikTok has discovered a strategy to make them worse. Welcome to airport concept, a viral delusion that implies you possibly can 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 most important character power.
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 put up–Tremendous Bowl New Orleans. Some viewers are offered. Others are calling BS.
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“So you had PreCheck, didn’t check a bag, and were at the nearest terminal? Now let’s do it when it’s not the optimal situation,” one consumer commented. And, positive sufficient, the web can also be plagued by failed makes an attempt—movies of forlorn TikTokers watching their flights take off with out them, their carry-ons filled with remorse.
It’s a enjoyable fantasy, which explains why “airport theory” 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 when 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 % up to now month, per Google Developments. It’s not arduous to attach the dots.
Right here is your unhappy actuality examine: Airways nonetheless suggest arriving at the very least two hours earlier than a home flight, three for worldwide. Typically that buffer looks like overkill. However would you slightly rush by means of the airport together 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 seems like a significantly better airport concept to us.
Airport Hacks That Truly Work
The easiest way to get by means of airport safety unscathed is to maneuver such as you’ve executed this 100 occasions earlier than. Slightly planning, the proper 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. Based on 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.
- Examine TSA wait occasions prematurely. The My TSA app (iOS, Android) offers real-time safety line updates at main airports.
Get the Proper Apps
Pack Good
Gown for Effectivity
- Empty your pockets earlier than safety. Stash the whole lot in your carry-on as an alternative of fumbling on the checkpoint.
- Maintain 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 up to now—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 massive pockets, and something with extreme zippers simply sluggish you down. When you’ve got PreCheck, you possibly can often maintain your sneakers, belt, and light-weight jacket on.
Keep Organized
