10 smart tips for traveling during the government shutdown

The government shutdown has now rounding out its fifth week, with Friday marking the second missed paycheck for more than 50,000 TSA officers at airports across the country. Unsurprisingly, it is not exactly a great time to have a flight you need to catch.

But rumors of mass TSA "sick days" have been greatly exaggerated. Don't worry: If you are traveling, you're not going to miss your flight. You just need to be prepared. After flying twice this week, through New York's John F. Kennedy and Phoenix's Sky Harbor airports, these are my tips for getting where you need to be during the government shutdown.

1. Yes, you're going to want to give yourself more time. But you don't have to go crazy.

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At the start of this week, unscheduled TSA agent absences were hovering around 7 percent of the force, CNBC reports. This, of course, means there have been fewer agents manning the security lines, which results in a jam of travelers trying to get to their gates. When I traveled through JFK, there was an obvious shortage of agents watching the scanners and searching bags; it took me about 20 minutes to get through, even despite my beloved TSA PreCheck status. It wasn't so bad — I was still at my gate an hour and a half early.

You still don't want to count on the security line being short — my brother, who was traveling through Sea-Tac the same time I was in New York, had to wait an hour in the regular security line. As of today, the TSA is still recommending you arrive at the airport no later than two hours before your domestic flight, meaning even if the line takes you an hour, you still shouldn't miss your flight. Anticipate waiting somewhere between 20 and 40 minutes, unless you have reason to suspect the lines will be longer, and be conscious of busy travel days (Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays) and times (mornings and early evenings).

2. Check airport information ahead of time.

The first thing airports will do as they start to feel staffing pinches is close down TSA lanes or checkpoints. Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport has already shut down one checkpoint due to staffing shortages, The Associated Press reports. Plan ahead to know what to expect, but beware of websites purporting to tell you the wait times — I've found them to only be intermittently reliable.

3. Pay attention to events in the city around the dates you're traveling.

With the holidays in the rearview mirror, we are now in the midst of some of the slowest weeks for travel of the year. Still, you'll want to pay attention to the events happening in the city you're flying out of, in order to adjust the time you arrive at the airport. Flying out of Atlanta on Monday, Feb. 4, for example, will be a nightmare if the government hasn't reopened, with some 120,000 people leaving after the Super Bowl. Even smaller events, like conferences, can result in an influx of departing travelers. Do your homework, especially if circumstances might have you cutting your time close.

4. Now is not the time to try to sneak your moisturizer on the plane.

The biggest thing to slow down a security line is when TSA agents have to search a bag by hand after spotting a potentially forbidden item in your suitcase. Listen: Now is not the time to see if you can get away with sneaking your hand lotion or a bottle of maple syrup through security. Don't slow the line down for everyone else. Now more than ever, check what you can take in your carry-on luggage and find out ahead of time if that razor is a no-no, if you don't already know.

5. Leave your empty water bottle out.

When I was traveling through JFK, I saw two bags get pulled off the conveyer belt over water bottles. Reminder: You cannot pass through security with liquids over 3.4 ounces. If you're trying to save plastic by bringing your own water bottle to refill once you're through security, you're my hero — just make sure to store it somewhere easily accessible in case a TSA agent needs to verify that it's empty.

6. Check as much as you can.

Every bag that goes through the scanner adds more time to the overall wait. If at all possible, try consolidating your usual carry-on items into your checked bags and go minimal for the plane itself. On the plus side, you'll have one less hassle going through security — and you'll help keep the line moving along nicely. (Worried about where to put your wallet or phone? This is why winter coats have nice, big pockets.)

7. Dress like a pro traveler.

Wear easy slip-on-slip-off shoes, socks, a coat that can be tossed in the scanner, and avoid belts if at all possible. In other words, make it as simple as you can to glide through without needing a pat-down. If you've got TSA PreCheck, consider removing your shoes anyway just to avoid a surprise beep that would make you have to pass through again.

8. Use the time waiting in line to your advantage.

So long as you're waiting, make the best of your time. As you begin to approach the security checkpoint, start removing your electronics and shoes (this is where those socks come in handy). Throw your coat over your arm and take change and keys out of any pockets on your person. If you're traveling with children or an elderly family member (who do not need to remove their shoes), help them to be organized in line too, rather than assembling yourselves in the loading area.

9. Look out for your safety — and everyone else's.

One of the biggest questions travelers have is if it is safe to fly during the government shutdown. Earlier this week, the presidents of the unions for air traffic controllers, airline pilots, and flight attendants released a joint statement over "a growing concern for the safety and security of our members, our airlines, and the traveling public due to the government shutdown." While the chance of anything happening is still infinitesimally slim, it is good, especially now, to be alert and on the look out for anything suspicious. If you see something out of the ordinary, report it. And do your best to follow the TSA's rules and the instructions of flight crews to ensure your own safety as well.

10. Remember that working for free is worse than waiting in line.

Be patient, be patient, be patient. Yes, you have somewhere you need to be — but some 50,000 TSA officers have also just missed their second paycheck. TSA officers are already among the lowest paid federal agents, and because they cannot strike, many are working under great financial anxiety in order to ensure your safety. It pays to be polite. So thank your TSA agents. Then get out of the way.