I travel a lot and have spoken in almost all 50 states, Canada, and Europe.  Sometimes I go through TSA twice or more in one day.  So I created a process to accelerate getting through the TSA line with minimal stress and all of my posessions.

It is well known that since 9/11 all travelers must use bins for certain items such as computers, iPads, and other electronic devices.  One of the new items at TSA is an xray machine.  

People are randomly selected to walk through, put their hands over their heads and wait for the machine to be ready, then stand on the other side as they wait for the results.

My experience is that while you are in the machine, your possessions are moving along the belt, other people at collecting their things, and you cannot move. 

If you try to look beyond the xRay machine, you are told to stand still so that they can get the picture that ensures you are safe to board an aircraft.

That has always worried me, as you are unable to watch your possessions while they carry out this procedure.

But I was truly surprised on Valentines Day, when I saw the video below on the news.  

Watch as a traveler steals a $6,500 Rolex watch from another person's bin.  

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

This is exactly what concerns me with those bins.  

Here are 5 things you can do to protect yourself:

1.  If you are wearing jewelry, hide it inside your shirt until you have gone through TSA.  No need to draw attention to yourself.  Yes you want to look nice, but do it after going through the checkpoint.

2.  Invest in a zippered jewelry case and put your watch and other jewelry in it then bury it in your carry on luggage.  Put the jewelry on after going through TSA.  

I stopped wearing my Rolex to the airport after the first time they made me remove it.  The watch did not set off an alarm, they just saw I was wearing one and made me put it in the bin.  

Better yet, I recommend getting 'airport jewelry' like me.  If they steal it, nothing lost.  It's just costume anyway.

3.  Use a system to get through the TSA. checkpoint  

- Collect all your bins

- Do a start spot with one bag (e.g. carry on) followed by your bins, and an end point followed by your suitcase.  

- That makes it easy to see where your stuff begins and ends and keeps them together.

4.  Keep your eyes on your bins.  Sometimes an empty one is put on top of yours which is not yet empty.  Always lift bins that are inside of each other to veryify nothing was covered up and the bins are really empty.

5.  Take the time to put all of your things back together and verify *before leaving the checkpoint"

Once I saw a business man who was in a hurry, pick up a laptop that looked exactly like his and rush away.  When I arrived at my gate there he was frantically on the phone, because his business laptop was in the hands of another traveler.   He had picked up the wrong laptop.  

Add a label with your name or initials on your laptop to ensure you have picked up the correct one.

Follow these five tips to make your trips go smoothly.  I also encourage you to create your own system that works for you and then stick to it.  You will soon find yourslf zipping through the TSA checkpoint as you fine tune and execute the system.

UPDATE:  The airport Rolex thief was arrested on February 17th while wearing the stolen Rolex watch!  

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Your comments are always welcome.

Connect to me on Facebook: Yvonne's Facebook Page

Let's connect on LinkedIn: LinkedIn Page