I infrequently travel through airports. Maybe thrice a year. So the timing of a Monday afternoon flight amid all the TSA staffing chaos seemed like a cruel joke.

Some hubs — like my home airport, Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta — have been the epicenter of chaotic scenes, with long lines snaking through baggage claim, costing some travelers a chance to make their flight on time. Monday morning, Hartsfield's website didn't have any time estimates for how long security lines would take; it simply urged all travelers to arrive at the airport at least four hours before their flights.

Having lived the chaos personally, here are some things you should do if you find yourself in an airport during this current bonanza of bottleneck, and some things you should avoid.

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Don't: Panic And Show Up Way Too Early

Four hours early does not mean eight. Massive crowds showing up to clog the lines for hours is not helping the situation. In Atlanta, those long lines have thinned out after the morning rush, so if you have an afternoon or evening flight, you may hear about the long wait times and head to the airport immediately.

Instead, trust the process, especially if you have TSA Precheck. The lines will move, so don't pile in super early. You might not be able to check in for your flight that early anyway, which will leave you sitting on a cold concrete floor for hours near the airport entry.

Do: Keep Your Head Up And Ears Open

One of the things that slowed down the 50-minute journey through TSA Precheck was the fact that many people were staring down at their phones, unaware that the line was moving. Look up! It'll help everything move faster.

Also, a Delta Air Lines employee was kind enough to walk through the line with free water bottles for those who'd become parched during the wait. Those who had their headphones on and heads down on their phones all said the same thing one minute too late: "Hey, where'd you get that?"

Don't: Show Up At The Airport Without A Plan

Sure, plans don't always work out exactly as you hope, but showing up to a scene like this with no plan is a big mistake. Know where you'll park, where you'll check your bags and how long you'll have to wait in the security line. Then, try to have a backup plan for everything.

Hartsfield-Jackson International was extremely well-staffed with employees directing traffic and answering questions with a smile, but that might not be the case everywhere.

Do: Have Some Grace

Just remember: Losing your temper will not make the line move faster and many of the employees serving you at the security checkpoints are not currently getting paid for their hard work. They also may be doing the jobs of several people who called out. In my experience, everyone at the airport was going out of their way to be friendly, informative and patient, so if that's the case when you fly, meet their energy and the process will be less terrible.