It's a real fear - not getting to the airport early enough or encountering problems in customs, baggage etc, you risk missing your flight.
USA Today Blueprint conducted a survey of 5,000 US travellers who had taken at least one flight in the past five years.
They were asked 15 questions in three categories: luggage and overpacking, overall preparedness and TSA checkpoints.
If you fly often, you probably begin the security check process without even thinking; electronics, liquids and metals objects all placed in the provided trays.
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However, when you're short on time, you can easily mistakes, forget things or try to take shortcuts.
One of the most common blunders travellers make is forgetting to remove their belts and shoes at security.
Specifically, 28% surveyed said they fail to remember while queuing up to go through the scanners - despite the overhead announcements. This leaves them having to be pulled aside and individually checked which causes more delays and increases the chances of missing their flight.
Secondly, another 28% admit to wandering through the scanner while still wearing their jewellery or have their phones in their hand.
Doing so, means you'll to go back and do it all over again.
Thirdly, others have confessed to forgetting to take out their electronics, whether it's their phone, laptop or tablet. This is usually because these devices are in their carry-on bag, or they're holding onto them out of habit, forgetting to put them in the tray.
Strangely, some 23% of travellers confessed that they don't take out their electronic devices even when reminded.
Meanwhile, another survey showed the changing behaviours of travellers due to the length security queues.
A survey by CapitalOne revealed that about two-thirds of travellers say airport security lines influence the way they pack and dress for a trip and the time they arrive at an airport.
The less jewellery or belts they have on, means less faff in the queues - making airport security a much faster process.
Vice president of US Card at Capital One, Lauren Liss, said: 'These stats may suggest that many consumers are changing their behaviours because of long security wait lines.
'They are planning strategically in the hopes of breezing through the airport to kick off their hard-earned vacation more quickly.'
Remember to plan your trip accordingly before you make your way to the airport. Leave plenty of time for customs and baggage check-in, and if you do stop off at a bar or café before your boarding, make sure to keep an eye on the time as this is a common factor in missing flights.