Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags May Ease Laptop Owner's Travels
As we all know, unless of course you are that one guy who still makes an appearance every now and again at the front of the security checkpoint, when going through airport security laptops must be removed from your bag and placed in a separate plastic bin before being run through the x-ray machine. No big deal really, but still I do not know any laptop saddled traveler who would not be happy to see this little routine disappear. Well, as of August 16th, official Transportation Security Administration (TSA) procedures, at least on paper, changed. Myself, I didn't get the memo, but that's not unusual. According to the changes the TSA may allow laptops to remain in bags meeting "checkpoint friendly" guidelines. What exactly does "checkpoint friendly" mean? Let's break that down in a few different ways. First, pretty pictures:
Looks straightforward enough, but for clarity sake here is a little more verbiage straight from the TSA.
"To help streamline the security process and better protect laptops, TSA recently encouraged manufacturers to design bags that will produce a clear and unobstructed image of the laptop when undergoing X-ray screening. A design that meets this objective will enable TSA to allow laptops to remain in bags for screening.
Purchasing one of these bags will not guarantee that you can leave your laptop in your bag for screening. If a Transportation Security Officer finds that the bag does not present a clear and distinct image of the laptop separate from the rest of the bag, the laptop must be screened separately."
That last section leaves some doubt as to whether even if you buy a new bag for this purpose that you will be allowed through without peeling open your laptop and incurring the wrath of your fellow travelers. With that in mind the TSA also has provided a little more information for passengers to consider before buying:
"If you intend to use a "checkpoint friendly" laptop bag once they are on the market, make sure to check that:
- Your laptop bag has a designated laptop-only section that you can lay flat on the X-ray belt
- There are no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on-top of the laptop-only section
- There are no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section
- There is nothing in the laptop compartment other than the laptop
- You have completely unfolded your bag so that there is nothing above or below the laptop-only section, allowing the bag to lie flat on the X-ray belt
Remember, a well designed "checkpoint friendly" bag must be packed appropriately if you intend to leave your laptop in your bag for screening."
Following the TSA official lead on the easing of these restrictions, more and more luggage and computer accessories manufacturers have started coming out with laptop bags designed to comply with the new guidelines. A few of the more prominent models out there that I've seen are Belkin's Flythru Laptop Case ($60), Skooba Design's Checkthrough ($140) and Tom Bihn's Checkpoint Flyer ($220). Personally most of these seem a major investment for something which may not even pay off if the TSA crew at the airport you are moving through didn't get said memo, or the image they get through the x-ray machine isn't right. That said, even though I've not been in a single checkpoint line where I have not heard the familiar reminder bellowed out "to remove computers from bags while in line," the first time I do I may start feeling very different about these bags and look into getting one of these for myself.
Has anyone out there seen a bag of this sort used while going though airport security? If so let me know. I want to believe these will be accepted universally, but I can't shake my doubts.
Update: Thanks to reader Darcy for the comments. Check out the Checkpoint Flyer video below she pointed to.
--Tom Milnes
Darcy on November 09, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Hi Tom,
Full disclosure: I work at TOM BIHN. I hope it's okay to post this!
I thought I would add that (so far) we've heard nothing but success stories from our customers who have used the Checkpoint Flyer through airport security. See this user review of the bag (http://www.tombihn.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1481)
And also this video that shows the bag going through an airport security x-ray machine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCS6XvcTW3Q
These two reviewers also tested the bag through airport security:
http://www.gadling.com/2008/10/07/product-review-tom-bihn-checkpoint-flyer-tsa-friendly-laptop-b/
http://reviews.cnet.com/notebook-accessories/tom-bihn-checkpoint-flyer/4514-6459_7-33345346.html?part=cnet&subj=Tom+Bihn+Checkpoint+Flyer
This, of course, doesn't mean that someone somewhere won't have problems with the "Checkpoint Friendly" program. But so far, so good - at least from what we've heard.
Darcy on November 09, 2008 at 03:07 PM
I thought I'd add that air travelers who already have a very simple padded laptop sleeve with no pockets or metal parts can most likely use those sleeves as "checkpoint friendly" bags. If one is concerned about whether the "Checkpoint Friendly" program really works, they could try using a sleeve like the one I've just described before committing to an entirely checkpoint friendly bag like our Checkpoint Flyer. (The Checkpoint Flyer is designed to be an overnight travel bag that one can also use as their everyday briefcase.) Most people who have a simple laptop sleeve put it inside of a larger bag - you'd have to take the sleeve out of the larger bag to send it through the x-ray machine, which probably wouldn't save you much time but the laptop inside of a sleeve inside of the grey bucket would definitely be more protected than a "naked" laptop in that grey bucket.
Tom Milnes on November 10, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Thanks for the comment Darcy and yes, this is entirely okay.
I'm happy to hear that folks are starting to use these bags and that they are having the desired effect. I'll be adding one of the videos you provided to my post. And being a sucker for video, I see one of these bags in my own future, correctly packed of course.
Tom
Matthew Olivolo on November 10, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Full disclosure: I work for Mobile Edge, and we too have released three new TSA compliant laptop cases and sell for $99 each. In fact, we were one of the first to have actual products on the market for end users to purchase. We also are one of the few manufacturers to offer a Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Backpack, which happens to hold laptops up to 17". We also have three new TSA friendly cases that are made specifically for women to be available before Christmas.
To date we have had hundreds of e-mails from our customers raving about how they loved out new ScanFast cases. I have traveled myself with our new ScanFast Backpack and it made going through security much faster for sure.
Engadget posted a quick review
http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/18/mobile-edge-intros-tsa-approved-scanfast-laptop-bags/
CNET posted a review as well
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9994424-1.html
We did hear of one case where a person flying internationally (Germany) and the screeners made him remove the laptop. At the end of the day, the airport screeners do have final say if they want you to remove your laptop from its case. That rule may never change thanks to 9/11...
Darcy on November 10, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Thanks, Tom. I posted on our company blog asking for those who have a Checkpoint Flyer to post their experiences with the bag here:
http://www.tombihn.com/blog/
Jim Hall on November 10, 2008 at 09:56 PM
I've been using my Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer since September 6th and have not had a real hassle yet. I have been stopped by 2 TSA employees and probably a dozen fellow travelers who ask about the bag and gush over how cool it is.
I fly at least 2 times each week, sometimes as many as 6 flights per week. The Checkpoint Flyer works as advertised EVERY TIME so far.
It is well worth the money to save some of the security hassle.
Eric Dey on November 11, 2008 at 04:50 PM
I just returned from a five day, four city trip with my new Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer, and have passed through security each stop without incident -- no one at TSA raised an eyebrow, though I did receive numerous uncharitable comments from colleagues who were jealous of how easily I passed through screening with the Checkpoint Flyer while they were wrangling their laptops.
Without question this is the best travel purchase I have ever made, and look forward to leaving a big chunk of my security hassles at home from now on.
Sceek on May 17, 2009 at 12:52 PM
What I mean to give you is a friedly tip, you should carry your laptop with a ToteGrip. http://www.totegrip.com
INTPLady on September 14, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Hi
I don't work for any bag manufacturer. I have travelled more than once now through security with TSA Checkpoint friendly bags. One from Tom Bihn (Checkpoint Flyer) and the other from Brenthaven (Metrolite BP-XF this is a backpack). I have had no trouble from security with either. In fact in both cases when I did run into security that wasn't familiar with the bags and I mentioned what they were they thought it was a great idea and even called some of the other TSA employees over to check it out.
By the way both are excellent bags with good protection for your laptop.
As to whether it is worth the investment. For me the answer is yes it just removes one of the hassles out of traveling. Getting through security and reclaiming everything especially if you are rushing can be a challenge to the nerves.
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