With increased security measures due to bigger alarms in our national safety, it has made it harder than ever just to make it to our airport gates. In the old days, we would simply walk through minimal security without having to take off our shoes or put our laptops in a separate bin - not to mention all the other personal effects that we carry with us through the gates. On average, the time it takes us to get through airport security has risen by almost 30 minutes in only a decade. Due to TSA's restrictions, it has made travelling a challenge, but we can't put all the blame all on TSA, because they are doing the best to protect us. Yet, there are a number of ways we can help to make the process a lot easier. Here are 5 tips for getting through airport security faster.

1. One of the biggest ways to make it easier for you, and everyone else waiting in line, is to not wear too many accessories, especially metal ones, if you know you will be getting on a plane. Make sure to take off rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets before you even get to the airport. This can save an enormous amount of time for you and your fellow travelers. You might not realize it, but you could be spending more time relaxing at the gate, if you didn't have to take off all that jewelry, one by one.

2. Also, make sure to check your bags and throw out anything that has liquid in it, like toothpaste and shampoo. Airport security will make sure that you dump it all out or wrap it up to send to yourself, which could mean increasing the amount of time at the checkpoint for way longer than you have to be. If it is an unmarked bottle or container, airport security
will want to do tests with it before they decide what to do with it.

3. And if you are driving around looking for Houston airport parking or trying to find a place to park your car for an extended amount of time that won't cost you too much money, it is a perfect time to pull over to make sure you don't have anything that might look suspicious under the x-ray machines. Be sure to put cameras, computers, and anything else in its own container.

4. Next, be sure to keep your pockets relatively empty. Only stick to the basics, like your keys, wallet and phone. You could be spending a lot of time, just emptying your pockets, which can keep you and the people behind you at airport security for way longer than they have to be.

5. Lastly, always help people in front and in back of you. If someone needs help pulling out a container, be sure to pull one out for him or her. Also, always make sure to keep enough room in front and in back of you, because the best way to keep it quick in airport security is develop a culture of courtesy.