June 1, 2026, 9:31 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Standing in line is often part of the airport experience. However, if you’re running late, you might want to get through security quickly. Here, you’ll find out which line is often the shortest and what else to consider to get through the security check as swiftly as possible.
Most of us don’t particularly enjoy standing in line. Add time pressure, such as when a flight is imminent, and a particularly relaxed family lines up in front of you, and the chaos is complete. An article in the U.S. magazine “Reader’s Digest” recently revealed supposedly scientifically based tactics that can help you get through security faster. TRAVELBOOK summarizes the key points.
This Line Is the Shortest
According to the magazine’s undefined research, the left line at security tends to be the shortest. The magazine explains: “Researchers suspect this is because most people are right-handed and therefore intuitively look to the right.” Another reason is that most people read from left to right, so their attention tends to linger on the right.
The middle line, the one directly in front of you, is usually the longest. According to “Reader’s Digest,” the reason for this is “a scientific phenomenon called central fixation bias, also known as the center-stage effect.” As a result, people perceive “the person or thing in the middle as the most important” and gravitate toward it, the magazine writes.
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The Shortest Line Isn’t Necessarily the Fastest
However, it’s not just the length of a line that determines whether you get through quickly or slowly. According to queue and behavior expert Jamol J. Pender from Cornell University, cited by “Reader’s Digest,” there are numerous factors that contribute to how fast or slow you progress. These include other travelers, security staff, the airline and airport, as well as the time of day. He advises lining up behind frequent flyers, who are typically business travelers. However, other solo travelers often move faster than larger groups and families. Travelers with a lot of luggage should also be avoided, as scanning takes more time than for someone with just a small bag.
In addition to the travelers in front of you, pay attention to the staff at the checkpoints. Where work is done quickly and efficiently, progress is often faster. If there are wait time displays, Pender advises ignoring them. They are often only briefly accurate, as they are not necessarily updated regularly.
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What Can Travelers Do Themselves?
Just as travelers in front of you can speed up or slow down the security line, you also play a role in how quickly or slowly you get through security. If you move quickly, the travelers behind you will benefit as well.
So what can travelers do to move through security quickly? First and foremost: Be prepared. Know the carry-on rules and pack accordingly. Take out everything that needs to be shown at the checkpoint beforehand. If you’re unsure, read the information boards or observe travelers in front of you who seem to know what they’re doing. Drink your bottle before the security checkpoint if necessary. Wear clothing and shoes that are easy to remove, and remove belts and any pocket contents in advance. If you have children with you, explain the process to them beforehand and prepare them and their luggage for the check.
Depending on where you’re flying from, a pre-check might be worthwhile. Sometimes there’s also the option to reserve time slots for the security check.