To streamline your trek through airport security, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends

To streamline your trek through airport security, the Federal Aviation Administration recommends these guidelines:
Leave knives and sharp tools at home. All cutting and puncturing instruments, including pocketknives, carpet knives, box cutters, ice picks, straight razors, corkscrews, metal scissors and metal nail files are prohibited.
Do not carry athletic equipment that could be used as a weapon on the plane. This includes baseball bats, golf clubs, pool cues, ski poles and hockey sticks.
Carrying poisons, fireworks, explosives, pepper spray, lighter fluid, dry ice, camping fuel, pressure tanks or carbon dioxide cartridges is prohibited.
Don't wrap gifts until you get to your destination. Security officers will likely make you unwrap items taken as carry-on baggage, and even those in checked luggage may be opened before the bag is put on the plane.
Call the airport before leaving to make sure the flight is on schedule. Ask if the airline still offers curb-side check-in. Some airlines have discontinued the practice.
Some airlines have changed the rules for E-tickets and ticketless travel, so check with the airline ahead of time. Automatic check-in kiosks are no longer available.
Plan on arriving two hours early, perhaps more if traveling with young children, infants or people with disabilities. Consult with the airline for more specific arrival times. Only ticketed passengers are now allowed beyond security checkpoints.
Don't leave your car unattended in the drop-off lane in front of the airport. Airports have been asked to crack down on unattended cars.
Don't joke about guns, bombs or terrorism. Even a lighthearted remark could cause you to be detained by security.
All adult passengers need a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license.
Be prepared to remove laptop computers, cell phones and electronic items from your carry-on bags for additional screening. Carrying many of these items can slow down the screening process. Carrying bottles of fluid will also slow the screening time.
Limit the number of metal items you wear.
Your car may be subject to search before you park at the airport, so clean out any extra bags in the trunk.
Be aware that carry-on baggage is now limited to one bag plus one personal item (like a purse, briefcase, laptop or backpack) per passenger.