We've all been there — regardless of how early you plan to arrive, airport traffic leaves you behind schedule and rushing to make your flight. Well, no more!

According to CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg, a.k.a. "The Travel Detective," the best thing to do is to book an early flight — and when you arrive, DON'T drive to departures.

It will be a traffic nightmare, he says. Drive to the lower arrivals level instead. There are very few people arriving at 5 or 6 a.m., so you'll save 10-15 minutes in traffic. Just go right up the escalator and through security.

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"Be a contrarian traveler," the expert advises.

And this trick works both ways, he continues.

When you land, DON'T go to arrivals. Have your ride meet you at departures, because everyone else will be at arrivals.

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Genius!