Here’s advice from the Transportation Security Administration about what you can expect at airports – and how you can make the process a bit smoother.

* The TSA’s new screening techniques are in place at all domestic airports, even if security is handled by a private company instead of the agency.

* Only passengers who set off a walk-through metal detector or advanced-imaging technology machine, or who opt out of the scanning machine, receive a pat-down.

* Items that might set off an alarm on the metal detector include: keys; loose change; cellphones; pagers; heavy jewelry (including pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, body piercings, cuff links, lanyards and bolo ties); clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs; metal barrettes or other hair accessories; belt buckles; and underwire bras.

* Travelers are required to remove their shoes and put them through the X-ray machine for inspection. Slip-on shoes ease the process.

* Prepare for screening by removing the contents of your pockets and alert the security officer if you have a hidden medical device. Less than 3 percent of passengers end up needing a pat-down, the TSA says.

* Pat-downs will take longer than body scans. According to the TSA, body scans take about five […]