New bags let you keep your laptop stowed for x-ray
One of the most irritating things about going through security at the airport is when you have to take your laptop computer out of your bag to put it through the x-ray. Invariably, the notebook is always at the bottom of my backpack, underneath 12 pairs of socks, a Frisbee and some loose sugar packets, so all of this has to come out and be reassembled after screening.The reason that the TSA requires this is that they have a hard time seeing through other electronics that are often in-plane during the x-ray -- things like power supplies, cd-rom drives or other extraneous equipment.
If these electronics could be separated during the screening, the TSA concedes, then passengers could leave their notebooks stowed away during the process. So they called for proposals from manufacturers to design a case that could accomplish this task.
Now, with designs finalized, the world's heavyweight bag manufactureres are racing to bring them to market. Luggage giant Targus expects to have several units on the shelves by September, while Pathfinder has a similar plan.
The real question is how well the TSA screeners will handle it. You know that there will be one or two who forget the new designs are x-ray permissible, which means head butting between passengers and security.
I personally am probably going to stick with my Arc'teryx backpack when on the road -- I can't afford to have multiple bags or a niche piece of luggage when I'm packing light.
Filed under: Gear, Transportation
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Chris Jul 4th 2008 12:38PM
I bought a bag from Target, it was I think $30 or so... It has an insert (A protective Sleeve) for the laptop, that is also padded. I just slide that out of the laptop case and it keeps it from getting dinged, etc,. I am a Flight Attendant, so traveling daily with my laptop is normal operation for me, so having this protective sleeve for my laptop is great and keeps it looking nice and clean. I have only been asked to take it out of the protective sleeve perhaps three times in the years I have had it. -- Chris (SWA FA)
Ed Jul 4th 2008 1:02PM
I "lost" my hearing aids, that had cost me $2200, that I had packed at Detroit Metro. When we arrived at the hotel in Orlando, I unpacked my luggage and found that someone had helped themselves to the hearing aids when they screened our checked luggage. We checked with Detroit Metro, the airline, and the gate agent to no avail. I find it almost impossible to believe that someone could use another person's hearing aids. At that time, I didnt wear them all the time and since my ears plug up on the plane I had packed them in their Siemens silver colored case. Needless to say, I spent ten days in Florida asking people to speak up and repeat themselves. Now I wear them regardless as to how much my ears plug up.
SGM Hawkins Jul 4th 2008 1:09PM
The problem is that TSA is not held responsible for the damage they do if the were they would a much better job. It is not there property and it is not possible to get any recourse because of the small cost and time it would take to go to Court also who is going to take the case. No money in it. It would cost more then you could get because you can only get depreciate damages from the Gov. so you are shit out of luck. SGM
neil Jul 4th 2008 1:11PM
to SUE happy LYNNE...LOL
youre lying...i dont believe for a second that they THREW ( nice caps for effect...LOL) your laptop and it went thru and slid to the floor...the belt has stainless at the end of it so that NEVER happens (notice the caps...LOL) VERY UNBELIEVABLE, ....THATS why no one paid you for repairs...LOL...attitudes like yours is kinda why we all pay MORE (again, caps...lol) for almost everything......
Jack B Jul 5th 2008 8:36AM
It's amazing to me how governemnt can get more, and more, intrusive and some fools will "Thank God" for it. I don't thank God for any of this nonsense.
I'm sure the day will come when some genius figures out that they can kill as many or more people at the security checkpoint where we're herded together llike cattle as they can on a plane. (9/11 will never reoccur since now they would shoot the planes down)
What will the government response be to that?? Fly naked with no carry on??
Enough is enough and frankly we've gone past enough
nuhart59 Jul 4th 2008 1:34PM
BEWARE of Orlando airport security!!!
I had a broken finger, with finger nail torn out sewed up in an inner city hospital with four stitches, new heart transplant patient with documentation, shortness of breath, high blood pressure and needed a wheelchair to get through security.
They took my lap top away from me to put through the scanner, with all the other people lined up at 6 am in the morning, while I waited on the side, with shoes off, pockets emptied, hand-scanned up, down and sideways, all the other palaver, that makes airline travelling a very bad experience, etc.
Then, they "forgot" to give my lap top back to me.
Then, more chimera, miasma and palaver about sending the lap top to a PO Box number, where I get all my mail and being charged $150 for "handling" and UPS charges.
I am not required to divulge home address, the only privacy I have left, for terrorists to find out where I live, since Washington loses names and addresses.
I have been threatened before by school board members in Washington Township, Morris County, New Jersey by someone who "wants to put a bullet in your head," for exposing corruption and fraud on their school board and reported the threat to my local police captain, who does know where I lived.
Mark Twain was right: "First, God created idiots, then...He invented school boards to put them on, with idiot New Jersey Soprano-type schizo-manic actors in that town.
I will never travel by airline with my lap top, again.
ann Jul 4th 2008 1:37PM
tsa locks are available at a store near you. these locks are designed to keep baggage handlers out, but tsa can still get in your bag with a key to inspect it. these locks also work well at your hotel when you leave your bag in your room and don't want the maids going through them. i alos lock my bag when i stow it in the over head bins. your fellow passengers have been known to go through other people's luggage.
john Jul 4th 2008 1:38PM
WAKE UP PEOPLE THEIRS NO SUCH THING AS TERRORISTS
GO TO YOUTUBE AND TYPE IN
Rockefeller Reveals 9/11 FRAUD to Aaron Russo
john Jul 4th 2008 2:05PM
WAKE UP PEOPLE THEIRS NO SUCH THING AS TERRORISTS
GO TO YOUTUBE AND TYPE IN
Rockefeller Reveals 9/11 FRAUD to Aaron Russo
David Jul 4th 2008 1:49PM
Neil, you didn't read Lynne's comment carefully enough. She said they threw her laptop through the walk-through scanner, on the floor. There's no belt there, and there is no stainless after you walk through, unless your airport is quite different from all others. Now, I don't know why they did that, and I don't know if she's exaggerating, but you need at least to read what she said before responding.
nuhart59 Jul 4th 2008 1:54PM
Wake Up John!
THEIRS is not a word. It is either: "There is" or Their. Even if you contracted There is, which would be improper English usage, it would need to be shown as Their's. Better go back to you tube looking for non-existent terrorists...there.
If anyone believes what they "see" on youtube, they certainly deserve what they get, which is a whole bunch of nothing there (Theirs).
ColinTsDad Jul 4th 2008 1:53PM
TSA....what a complete joke. They think they are police and most of them can't even spell POLICE. I guess that's what $8 an hour gets you this day and time. These fools try to throw their weight around as if they are somebody. I even had one at Dulles tell me, "Since 911, you no longer have any Fourth Amendment Rights." How completely assinine is that? TSA is the biggest joke in this country in the last 50 years! Convicted felons, high school drop outs, and 75 year old retirees are protecting our country and its' airports. Now how secure does that make you feel?! Richard is right on: It is blatantly obviouss that the terrorists have won!
john Jul 4th 2008 1:58PM
why would you put your laptop at the bottom of your case with 12 pairs of socks and some sugar on top of it if you know you have to take it out anyway ??? how stupid
Shanty Jul 4th 2008 2:08PM
TSA tries hard, but they have bad attitudes (not all) because they deal with a bad attitude public (not all but many, as I fly allot and watch for amusement). However, Laptops are not my problem, normally have at least two with us, we know, put them in a bin by themselves out of the bag. My hold up EVERYTIME is my Bi Pap Machine (Sleep Apnea), that always holds up the line and they take it off to the side and check it for explosives EVERYTIME. The damn thing is hollow, has a 2x3 inch circuit board at most. I do not get it. I will say this, it is great storage in the Humidifier to put my bag of grass. They never open the Unit, just wipe it with Explosive Testers. If they knew how many times they let me go with a lid and I put it there EVERYTIME, they would poop their pants. And Lighters, I am a smoker, not a terrorist. I have a lighter in my pocket EVERYTIME I go through security
john Jul 4th 2008 2:29PM
watch it first before you reply and it's not just on youtube. TYPE IT IN GOOGLE THEN.
Wendi Jul 5th 2008 9:39PM
First, it is tiring to hear of people losing valuable items in checked bags. If it is valuable, take it with you. To the poster that lost the hearing aids, most likely the thief did not look inside the case, and probably threw them away after seeing what they were. I wear glasses, and always carry my extra pairs with me in my carry on. If it is valuable, carry it with you, if it is too big/too heavy, how badly do you need it? As for computers- I have flown with my laptop twice. Before getting in line, I remove my shoes, remove my laptop from its case, and hold both until I get to the bins. No trouble at all. After I get through the lines, I collect everything, stand off to the side, put my computer back, and off to the gate I go. To the wheelchair passenger- how is it that you managed to leave the area without your notebook?
To the one who had your notebook thrown-sheesh. I can't imagine it, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt, however, before you use your college education to say what is proper in the English language, "Capitolize" is actually "Capitalize". :)
I have never encountered grumpy TSA employees, and I have been at several airports all over the country.
Fed up flyer Jul 7th 2008 5:24PM
While I like the idea generally, TSA screeners are often the last to find out that their agency has changed the rules, and you'll likely have to take the laptop out of the scanner-friendly bag, thus defeating the purpose. It'd be nice if TSA hired people who were friendly and intelligent; 99% of those I've encountered were neither.
tara Jul 9th 2008 1:31AM
i will take off and take out whatever they ask me too, if it make my flight safer. i have nothing to hide.
before i bought my traveling computer bag, i used to pack it in my carry on luggage but i always made sure it was conveniently on top so it was easily take out and put back. i travel at least twice a year internationally,for the past 8 years and i rarely have problems with check in or security. i ALWAYS check the TSA website or the airline i am flying to know what to expect i.e latest changes regarding luggage, packing etc. i have only had one negative experience with a very rude flight attendant but for the most part
its alll about being prepared. i think airline employees from the top up must get frustrated when people don't follow policy or 'didn't know'-FIND OUT if you are unsure. Like it or not, those policies are there for a reason, namely our safety