10 Things You Should Never Do in the Airport Security Line

Talk About Anything Illegal

Don't talk about drugs, weapons, bombs, or anything else that could threaten security. This is the number one rule—even if you’re only making a joke. (Hint: You're not funny.) The TSA already has enough to worry about, so do everyone a favor and keep your jokes to yourself.

RELATED: 7 Things You Should Never Say to the TSA

Reorganize Your Belongings While in Line

Nothing is more annoying to your fellow travelers than when you rearrange your stuff (or re-dress after screening) while you're still in line. Take your belongings and move over to the designated area to get reorganized. Unless you are literally just grabbing your bag and slipping on a pair of shoes, let everyone else collect their stuff.

Keep Stuff in Your Pockets

You are obviously going through a metal detector or body scanner in security, so make sure to remove everything—keys, phones, wallets, money, jewelry, whatever—from your pockets. Too many people forget they have something in their pocket and then hold up the entire line going back through the scanner. Don't be one of them.

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Be Rude to TSA Agents

The TSA screens nearly 2 million passengers on any given day. Don't make their job any tougher by acting like a jerk. If you're selected for a random search (yes, it's annoying, especially if you're running late), just cooperate. They have a job to do, and so do you—to behave like an adult. And don't be that annoying person who makes a big deal over the body scanners. If you don't want to go through the scanner, ask for a pat-down instead.

Take Off Unnecessary Items

The rules about what you can and cannot keep on your body during security checkpoints change frequently. For standard screenings, you're required to remove shoes, belts, your 3-1-1 liquid bag, any outer layers, and your laptop. However, pre-check travelers, seniors, and children under 12 do not need to remove their shoes.

Many people think they need to have separate bins for all of their excess items and to remove all electronics from their carry-on. That's not the case; you only need to remove your laptop (or any other similar-sized electronics) and liquids.

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Forget to Label Your Laptop (and Bag)

Since you're separated from your electronics and bags during screening, it's important to label everything. Many laptops look the same, so do something to distinguish yours from other passengers'. (Belongings can easily be mistaken.) Keep an eye on your stuff and make sure it's labeled just in case. If you get pulled aside for a security check or for further inspection, you'll likely be taken away from your stuff, too.

Touch Other People's Stuff

While not technically illegal, it can pose a security threat if you touch someone else's belongings. Plus, it's rude to move their stuff for them, which can cause items to be misplaced. In this case, it's best to be patient and let them be responsible for their own belongings. If someone leaves something behind, instead of grabbing it and trying to return it the person, alert a TSA agent so you don't cause a security issue.

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Try to Show Your Boarding Pass After It's Checked

Nothing screams "infrequent flyer" more than trying to show your boarding pass and ID to the TSA agent on the other end of the security scanner after just being checked. Put them through the conveyor belt with the rest of your stuff; you'll only need your boarding pass again when you actually board the plane.

Leave Your Stuff Unattended

Keep an eye on your belongings through the security process and obviously at all times in the airport. It's important to make sure your items go into the conveyor belt before you get in line to go through the body scanner.

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Be Unprepared

The security process really shouldn't be a surprise to you. Pack liquids that need to be removed at the top of your carry-on, know what items you need to remove, make sure your laptop can be easily removed from your bag, and wear clothing and shoes that you know will be easy to deal with.

Put away your boarding pass and ID while you're waiting in line after your identity is checked and start removing layers, shoes, liquids, and laptop while you wait to put your bag through the scanner—common sense, people!

Better yet, enroll in Pre Check to make the whole process a lot smoother—you don't have to worry about removing anything from your body or bag.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Things You Should Never Pack in Your Checked Bag
• 7 Surprising Things You Don't Have to Sneak Through Security
• What Not to Wear in the Airport Security Line

Ashley Rossi is always ready for her next trip. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram for more advice on travel hacks and destination ideas.