PreCheck costs $85 for five years, and you simply go through a shorter TSA line.

Global Entry costs $100 for five years, and members can check in at an airport kiosk.

CLEARis a third-party company that offers a similar service.

A CLEAR team member will greet you at our lane.

Just scan your boarding pass, tap your finger and well escort you straight to physical screening.

If you are PreCheck eligible, visit the CLEARlane and verify your identity.

Theyrecurrently only available at 13 airports, and that doesnt include many of the major busy hubs.

If you might help it, avoid flying during peak times.

They say wait times tend to double around that time.

Fridays in June, July, and Augustare especially busy.

Of course, you want to watch out for summer holidays and three-day weekends.

If you have the flexibility, go with a smaller nearby airport, too.

In New York, you might opt for Newark instead of La Guardia.

In Houston, you might opt for Hobby instead of IAH.

Users can post wait times, too, to keep the app up to date.

Its useful to check the app out before booking your travel.

This way, you get a more personalized idea of when airports are at their most crowded.

You may want to prepare to leave for the airport earlier.

First, double-check youve checked in and your boarding pass is printed or saved on your phone.

You dont want to fumble through your email or passport apps looking for your digital pass.

You want to be prepared.

you’re free to use a tool likeTripIttoorganize all of your itinerary informationand ensure youre up to date.

Then just pick up your jacket and put it back on.

For men, special fabric belts with plastic buckles are a great alternative.

When packing my carry-on, I also pack my bag of liquids last.

This way, I can easily remove them while Im waiting in line.

I dont have to waste time digging through my bag to take them out.

Flying is a pretty incredible experience, but it can also be an incredibly frustrating one.

you’re able to, however, plan around the frenzy.

Then just hope for the best.

Illustration by: Sam Woolley