Navigating airport security represents one of the most stressful aspects of modern travel. Passengers routinely endure lengthy queues, frantically unloading their belongings into scanning trays while removing boots, belts, and bulky outerwear. All this unfolds under the constant pressure of watching the clock, hoping to snatch a moment for a quick refreshment before boarding. Amid this organised chaos, a particular breed of traveller consistently exacerbates delays: the notorious 'pocket piler'.
The Last-Minute Realisation That Grinds Security to a Halt
Just steps away from walking through the body scanner, often with an impatient queue building behind them, 'pocket pilers' experience a sudden, belated realisation. They remember they haven't emptied their pockets. This triggers a frantic scramble to deposit keys, coins, phones, headphones, and tissues into a tray, significantly slowing the entire security line's momentum. For fellow travellers already anxious about time, this last-minute fumbling is a major source of frustration.
Travel Experts Decry the 'Worst' Airport Habit
Lee Thompson, co-founder of a solo group travel company and a veteran of over 100 countries, has witnessed this phenomenon countless times. "Don't be a pocket piler," he advises. "That's the moment everything grinds to a halt." He emphasises that these individuals are typically not being deliberately rude but are simply not thinking ahead, with their minds already on the plane or their holiday destination.
This sentiment is echoed by Kyle Potter, executive editor for Thrifty Traveler, who describes pocket piling as the "worst" airport habit. "The time to do all of these things is the moment you step out of the car," he insists, criticising the last-minute "dance" of emptying pockets full of change and personal items directly at the scanner.
From 'Pocket Piler' to 'Pocket Prepper': A Simple Solution
The antidote to this problem, according to Thompson, is to adopt a 'pocket prepper' mindset. He points out that in many airports, particularly in major hubs like London, passengers can spend 20 to 30 minutes in the security queue. "This is more than enough time" he states, to calmly empty trouser pockets, remove your coat, and mentally prepare your items for the scanner.
"By the time I reach the trays, my trouser pockets are already empty," Thompson explains. "I take my coat off, put it straight onto the tray, and I'm through in seconds." He then reorganises his belongings while walking towards a café, ensuring he doesn't block the tray collection area for others. This proactive approach keeps the security flow moving smoothly for everyone.
Why This Behaviour Triggers Widespread Annoyance
The irritation caused by security delays is well-documented. A survey by Nine highlighted that travellers slowing the process down for any reason ranks among the most annoying parts of the airport experience. The frustration is palpable online, with one Reddit user offering a blunt "life tip": "At the airport, empty the contents of your pockets into your carry on before you reach the TSA check point." Another directly blamed 'pocket pilers' for slow-moving queues, writing: "Slow checkpoint lines are caused by travellers emptying pockets and retrieving items from bins."
Thompson clarifies that having items in your pockets isn't the core issue; it's the timing. The real problem is "last-second panic piling." "If you're in a security queue, you know what's coming," he says. "Pocket-preppers prepare early and keep security moving for everyone." This simple shift in behaviour, from reactive piling to proactive preparing, could save precious minutes and reduce collective stress during the already tense airport security process.
