Make sure to download this app before you go to the airport

Surprises can be delightful. However, aside from an unexpected first-class upgrade, most of us prefer to have a clear idea of what to expect during our travels.

This is particularly true regarding airport security wait times, especially following a summer that recorded the ten busiest days ever at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.

Some of my most stressful moments at the airport have come from arriving late for various reasons and then standing in a security line, watching valuable minutes slip away.

Indeed, programs like Clear and TSA PreCheck can be lifesavers for skipping lines. They provide significant time savings, especially as the number of PreCheck members has soared to record levels.

Additionally, the TSA has another method for you to plan ahead and estimate your security wait times — right from your smartphone.

The MyTSA app

The TSA offers a free mobile app that you can download: the MyTSA app.

It shows the current security wait times at checkpoints nationwide. Additionally, it forecasts future wait times at the terminal you plan to visit — down to the specific day and hour.

How to navigate the TSA app

Upon logging in, you’ll encounter a screen similar to the one below. It reveals the airport nearest to you along with the current wait times. As I write this, I’m near Chicago’s O'Hare International Airport (ORD), where the wait times range from 15 to 30 minutes.

You can also save airports — such as the one closest to your home — as a "favorite." For me, that’s Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina. During my search, wait times were under 15 minutes.

Additionally, you can look up any airport throughout the country.

I checked on New York City’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and found the estimated wait times to be between 15 and 30 minutes.

You can also narrow down the information to specific terminals, such as Terminal C, which is home to Delta Air Lines’ hub at LaGuardia.

This app also indicates if a Federal Aviation Administration delay program is in effect; while it may not significantly impact security wait times, it likely suggests that flight delays are widespread.

Predicting future wait times

The app can assist you in estimating future wait times based on historical data.

For instance, if you're planning to depart from LaGuardia on a Friday morning, which is often the busiest day of the week, you can utilize the app to check the typical wait times at LaGuardia's TSA checkpoints between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. on a Friday.

It indicates that wait times during that period are typically between 15 and 30 minutes, with longer delays expected later in the afternoon.

Remember that if you have TSA PreCheck, your wait is likely to be much shorter. According to the app, the majority of TSA PreCheck travelers (across the country) wait five minutes or less.

Verifying 3-1-1 compliance

The app can also be used to confirm whether the items in your carry-on adhere to the agency's liquid regulations and lists of prohibited items.

After my electric razor stopped working, I wanted to verify if disposable razors are permitted in carry-on luggage. I searched for it in the app and found that I could bring one along.

Conversely, if you search for "peanut butter," you'll discover it's restricted to amounts less than 3.4 ounces.

Final thoughts

Being proactive is essential for smooth air travel. The MyTSA app can help you anticipate potential security wait times, along with many other beneficial features.

Additionally, signing up for expedited programs like Clear, Global Entry, or TSA PreCheck (and utilizing application fee reimbursements available through certain travel credit cards) can streamline your experience through security.