Is there a way to avoid the extra long security lines at the airport?

The lines are extra long right now, with wait times of up to 2 hours occurring regularly. The best way to avoid the lines is to have membership in a trusted traveler program. Most commonly this would be TSA Pre-Check, Global Entry, or Clear. Beyond that, here are a few tips that might help:

• Try to avoid late Friday afternoons as that is the single busiest time of the week
• Select a smaller airport if you can
• Don’t join the nearest line; often the ones furthest from the check-in counter or doors will be shorter
• Let your status work for you – elite level frequent flyers and first/business class travelers have their own lines at some airports
• Some airlines allow travelers to buy into the elite lines for a relatively modest fee