Don’t make these mistakes if you want your airport security experience to go smoothly.
Although this may seem like normal, common behavior flight passengersif you do these things, traffic safety officers (TSOs) may be on alert and slow down your journey.
Jeff Price, airport security coordinator-trainer and professor of aviation management at Metropolitan State University of Denver in Colorado, has extensive experience in airport management and 33 years in aviation security. He spoke with Fox News Digital about certain behaviors travelers should be wary of when going through TSA.
“There are a number of things that people are looking for or will be asked by TSA personnel — and many of them are the same things that we train airport personnel,” Price told Fox News Digital.
Owner of the company Leading Edge Strategies, an airport management training company, Price shared a variety of everyday behaviors that will raise flags for TSOs.
An aviation management professor at Metropolitan State University in Denver (not pictured) shared common in-flight behaviors that could raise flags through the TSA. (iStock)
Price noted that it’s usually not just one type of behavior that can alert TSOs.
Instead, he said, “look for clusters of that activity. It’s usually never just one thing.”
He added, “There are actually three things that you look for when you’re doing training on suspect consciousness or suspect consciousness activity.”
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“You establish a baseline.”
Price continued, “You have to look at what’s normal. That’s the baseline. . . . So you’re looking for deviations from our baseline.”
Traffic Safety Officers (TSOs) are trained to look for certain passenger behaviors – even if these behaviors occur in groups. (iStock)
So what are some of the suspicious behaviors?
Price said one common behavior that could raise eyebrows among security guards is whether people are dressed appropriately for the weather at the point of departure or arrival.
It can be suspicious if passengers are dressed for the weather out of sync with any location – leading to the potential red flag from TSA.
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Another “common” behavior that could be flagged by security personnel is when people are seen yawning excessively.
“Exaggerated yawning, a lot of yawning — that might attract attention,” Price said. “When people are stressed, they usually want more oxygen.”
One common behavior that may raise some questions is a lack of eye contact or even the “thousand-yard stare.” (iStock)
Another bit of everyday behavior that might cause concern is what Price called the “thousand-yard stare” — or lack of eye contact.
An aviation professor noted that eye contact is uncomfortable for some people and is a normal type of behavior for them. That’s why the idea of behavioral clusters is important, because it’s usually not just one action or behavior that poses a threat, he said.
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“One of the things we do [to] the train is that we will send people to watch [airline travelers] and just observe their behavior and find out what is normal at the airport. Then we can start looking for what’s abnormal — and you start looking for clusters of that,” Price said.
He also noted that an excessive amount of talking or talking to TSOs can be considered suspicious behavior.
Trying to talk to security personnel can look like you’re trying to distract officers from their job duties, an aviation expert said. (iStock)
“Sometimes it can be seen as an attempt to distract them from their job duties. Especially people who work on X-ray equipment or technology, screening technology himself,” the security expert continued.
“They really don’t want to have a conversation there. They’re focused on what’s in that bag.”
“Maybe you’re just upset about the whole process.”
Price said a security officer’s sense of smell will also play a role in identifying certain behaviors, including excessive use of perfume.
Although this procedure may not seem unusual in other circumstances, at the airport it can look like an attempt to cover up another smell.
The best thing you can do when going through security is to focus on why you are at the airport. (iStock)
Traveling can be frustrating and irritating, which can sometimes lead to aggressive behavior.
“Showing aggressiveness [or] threatening behavior will certainly attract attention [of security personnel]Price said.
“Maybe you’re just upset about the whole process. You’re having a bad day, but it’ll get you some extra attention.”
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When you go through security on your way to board the flight, the best thing you can do is focus on why you are at the airport in the first place.
“Just stay focused on your intention. Why are you there at the airport?” Price said.
Be aware of how your actions may be perceived when going through TSA, as certain behaviors may trigger flags. (iStock)
“You’re there because you want to catch your flight on time and get to your destination, so focus on those things that will achieve that goal,” he said.
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“Just be prepared to cooperate with security and airline personnel.”
He said security processes can be frustrating at times, but they are a necessary evil.
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“It’s going to be annoying at times, but that’s the nature of security. Security should be annoying.”
