Airport Security Suggestions

Traveling a few times lately inspired some recommendations when someone gets to the airport and has to get through security. They following breaks down the basics of how to get to the gate as efficiently as possible and reduce anxiety.

Arrival
Arrive about 2 hours before the flight is departing. Monday morning and Friday afternoon is when most business travelers are flying, so there are more people there. The more travelers, the longer all lines will be.

Check-in
Have your ID ready, you will be asked for it when you get to the desk. Having to dig in a purse or wallet wastes your time and mine if I am standing behind you. Don't bury it back in the wallet or purse, because it will be needed again. There are several more efficient ways to check in:

• Most airlines allow online check in 24 hours before the flight (on the internet), how many bags you are checking, and print out the boarding pass. When you get to the airport, they may have a special lane for that, and it is the quickest.
• Most airlines have a "self check-in" where you can use a kiosk to print a boarding pass and then they call you forward to check the luggage.
• Because of smartphones, check in using it to speed up both of the above points. Make sure the battery is charged, it sucks when you get halfway to security and it can't scan the code. Start over.
• Do not put a lock on the zippers of checked bags. You will be asked to unlock them, or they will be cut off when going through security.

Security Screening
The most hated part of getting to the gate is the security line. Feels like cattle in a corral on the the way to slaughter. The longest wait, like waiting in line for a roller coaster.  This is why you show up early, especially on busy days.

• Keep your ID handy, you need to show it again.
• Be prepared to take off your shoes, you have to do that. Knee high, laced boots? Not a good idea. I use a pair of slip on shoes as my "air travel" shoes to make it easy.
• Don't wear a belt or a lot of jewelry. You will have to remove all of that too. The least amount of metal on you, the quicker you'll get through security and not set off the alarms.
• Remove your laptop BEFORE you get to the conveyer, it does have to come out of the carry on bag.
• Once you retrieve your items from the conveyer, move to the area a little farther away to get redressed and put your things back in your bag/purse/etc. Doing it at the end of the conveyer holds up everyone behind you.

Once through and all ready to go, proceed to the gate. Check the monitors for your flight, it might have changed from what is actually printed on your boarding pass. And listen to the PA system for your flight.

Based on these simple suggestions, I have my check in time down to under 5 minutes and the longest I've waited in the security line was 25 minutes. So, it takes me about a half an hour to get to my gate. Keeping in mind that you typically board 20 minutes before flight time, that takes away almost an hour of my 2 hour wait. I find a cup of coffee and a place to sit, and enjoy people watching. Oh yeah, a final recommendation is to go to the restroom BEFORE you board since it will be quite a bit of time until you can go to the water closet on the plane. Happy traveling.

Apartment Living - Part VI

So you've read all of the parts on the Apartment Living page of this blog, but have decided that it is time to move out. The key question on your mind is "how do I get my security deposit back?!? I NEED that money..." Some suggestions, because most landlords look at how much work needs to be done before they can "re-rent" the unit. The cleaner it is left and the less amount of work to refresh it, the more $$$ returned. Keep in mind that the security deposit will not likely be returned the day of a move out, but within a month after. It all depends on what needs to be done to give the keys to the next resident.

First, we need to understand what a security deposit is, and then how it applies. The best way to define what a security deposit is, can be found on Wikipedia [link], but I'm going to summarize it as to it applies to living in an apartment.

A security deposit is a sum of money held in trust...  to ensure the cost of repair in relation to any damage explicitly specified in the contract and that did in fact occur.

Basically it is money that the landlord/property manager uses to pay for the revitalization of an apartment when vacated, the resident is "pre-paying" it. Know up front, not ALL of the deposit is given back, so here are some suggestions on maximizing the amount of the security deposit to get back:

1. Scrub the vinyl floors. Not just sweep with a broom, but scrub the floors.
2. Pull out the refrigerator and stove and clean everything that has collected under them.
3. Wash the sides of the fridge and stove.
4. Clean the oven, stove top elements, knobs, inside the fridge, sinks, and all countertops.
5. Vacuum the carpets or get a carpet cleaner to do it for you. Yes, it costs a little to do that, but you'll pay for it regardless.
6. Scrub the tubs, showers, and toilets.
7. Patch the nail holes from all of the pictures/art you hung up.
8. Clean under where your washer and dryer were, if you had them.
9. Wipe down the baseboards as dust and dirt has likely built up.
10. Run a broom along the ceiling to remove the cobwebs.
11. Take all of your "stuff" with you. Leaving items in the cupboards or even just in the room causes a lot of work for the people revitalizing the unit.

Basically, do a spring cleaning the way grandma did "back in the day." First impressions are important, so the first time the landlord/property manager inspects a vacant apartment, the more that is likely to be given back. As mentioned, it won't be ALL issued back, there are some things that will be deducted from the security deposit, and there might be an invoice if it costs more than was put down. Those things typically are for fees like:

• A cleaning person to do what you should have done (listed above).
• Replacing carpet or vinyl due to excessive stains or tears.
• Professional carpet cleaners to deep clean the rug.
• Repairing things that are broken (doorknobs, doors, baseboards, counters, appliances).
• Excessive plastering needed for holes in the walls.
• Removing oil or other fluid stains on the garage floor.
• Having to hire a professional painter if you changed the colors of the walls (read the lease on this one, it can be costly if it is not returned to the original look).

Typically there is a MOVE OUT inspection, and a MOVE IN inspection to survey the property. Anything that shows up during those inspections is noted, and the person responsible is charged. The key point here, is that the more diligence a resident takes while moving out, the more of the security deposit they will get back...