Over the next few weeks, many of us will be gearing up to head to the airport and go on holiday. Travelling somewhere new, or to an old favourite destination, is always an exciting time – but getting there doesn’t come without its stresses.
The process of going through the airport can be a true ordeal, as there are a lot of things that can go wrong. The last thing you want to do is make it even harder for yourself by disrespecting airport etiquette. And according to one flight expert, one popular accessory should never be worn when you’re making your way through the airport.
Amanda Parker, a travel expert at Netflights, has sounded the alarm about wearing sunglasses at the airport. Although they may serve as a comfort under the bright lights, this common summer accessory should be avoided at all costs.
She said: “There are no rules against wearing hoods or sunglasses in airports – apart from in security zones where they must be removed – but generally, it’s strongly discouraged when not necessary as it can raise suspicion, interfere with facial recognition technology, and bring you unwanted attention.”
Airports are high-security environments, so wearing a hoodie pulled tightly over your head with dark sunglasses indoors can make you stand out like a sore thumb, and that’s not a good look.”
She continued: “Many airports use facial recognition systems at security, so hoods and sunglasses can obstruct the technology’s ability to match your face with your passport photo.
“If the system can’t make a proper match, you may be pulled aside for manual screening or experience delays in automated lanes.
“If you’re trying to keep a low profile, ironically, covering your face can have the opposite effect. Your best option is to stay visible and look approachable at all times.”
How to stay safe at the airport
If you want your airport journey to go as smoothly as possible, the experts have recommended the following tips that everyone should be following on their next holiday.
- Queue patiently. Stand in line without cutting in or crowding when in the airport. This will keep attention off you in the airport, but also make your airport experience calm and relaxed.
Keep the noise down. Loud phone calls, conversations, or playing videos out loud can disturb others around you in the airport. Use headphones when listening to music, or if you need to take a phone call, make sure to answer the phone in a quiet area in the airport with your voice kept to a minimum volume.
Wear appropriate clothing. Airports are crowded and security-conscious, therefore, you should remain approachable at all times. Sunglasses aren’t always advised, and will need to be removed when passing through security anyway, so wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t mask your identity unnecessarily.