New Bags Let You Keep Your Laptop Inside at Airport Security Lines
This isn't just a minor inconvenience -- as a result of the increased security procedures, it is now suggested that you show up at least two hours before your stated departure... for domestic flights. The slow moving and nerve-wracking long lines have many travelers fuming and even choosing other modes of transport for shorter trips.
But the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is looking to soothe at least some of the pain involved with air travel. It has just okayed luggage and laptop case makers to start manufacturing X-ray friendly cases. The problem with older laptop bags is that they are often difficult to see through on an X-ray machine and are packed with accessories -- such as power adapters and mice -- that block security personnel's view. The new cases will vary in design from fold-down or detachable laptop-only sections on luggage to standalone foam sleeves without room for accessories. Since they'll provide a clear view of laptops for X-ray machines, these cases will be allowed through security without requiring that anything be taken out.
Luggage makers should start manufacturing the newly approved travel accessories shortly, and will no doubt be rushing them to market as-soon-as-possible. [Source: NY Times]
Filed under: Computers, Laptops, Summer Fun
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Sunny @ Jul 5th 2008 7:00AM
Why not just check everything and fly naked?
L. Wayne @ Jul 5th 2008 8:10AM
Be careful what you wish for, do you really want to spend hours closed in a plane with a random sample of the general public naked?
BLEAACCHHH!
"Have a lovely flight, Grandma!"
L. Snider @ Jul 5th 2008 8:02AM
Yeah, this should work about as well as the "Airport friendly shoes" that you can buy and still have to remove at the security checkpoints. The laptops aren't the problem at security, the people who act like they have no clue as to what to do when they get into the line and must pass through detector two or three times before they clear it are. I.E. huge carry on luggage, Didn't remove shoes, metal belt buckles, keys still in pockets, change in pockets, huge jewelry. These are the things that I constsntly see slowing down the lines.
Along with the TSA employees who often seem as confused as the customers and work as though it's their first day on the job.
Bren @ Jul 5th 2008 8:35AM
Hey, I have a medical card that states/verifies that I have had a complete hip replacement. The titanium implant sounds off alarms as I cross through the magical system.....but, I am still sent to the side for a complete pat down and bag search which takes 20 extra minutes of my time. I even tell the security to look at my scar as proof! They don't laugh.....
AL @ Jul 5th 2008 9:20AM
MEDICAL CARDS ARE VERY EASY TO DUPLICATE. THEY MEAN NOTHING SO DON'T EVEN BOTHER WITH THEM. JUST ACCEPT YOU WILL BE PATTED DOWN AND BE HAPPY YOU'RE STILL WELL ENOUGH TO FLY, SIT BACK AND ENJOY IT!!
Greg @ Jul 5th 2008 8:46AM
So true L. Snider, it is what I call the INFREQUENT traveler. You would think after 6 1/2 years even these folks would have figured it out. Don't even get me started on the attitude of some of the TSA screener. And they folks that bring half their worldly possesions as carry-ons. A little common sense on by the TSA folks and the passengers woud make a huge difference.
CelluliteQueen.com @ Jul 5th 2008 9:20AM
Figures. Whatever helps THEM, costs US money. If an Xray machine can see through canvas bags and see my iPod deep inside, why can't it see my laptop? It's just another way to make us spend more money for something else we don't need. What a load of garbage this so called "Security" for airplanes is. And the pathetic part of it all is: If the "Bad Guys" want to get to us, they WILL. Even though you spend umpteen bucks for this new laptop case! I've recently read an article where a woman forgot to remove her cat from a canvas carry on bag, and the Security people laughed, saying they saw the cat's skeleton and internal organs! So why can't they see a laptop?? Sad. http://www/CelluliteQueen.com
Lisandra @ Jul 7th 2008 7:14PM
fatqueen.....its to see if there are any explosives in the computer! with all the junk people put into there bags it's hard to make sure it's ok to clear it! how retarded can people get? if you don't like it, there are other means of transportation! instead of belly-aching about why you need to do this (and other things at checkpoint) read up on the ways the terrorist are trying to bring our planes down. maybe the light will come back on for you! have and awsome day............your friendly TSA screener :)
Steve @ Jul 5th 2008 1:20PM
i work for TSA and people should just shut the f*ck up and follow the rules....u people kill me when u complain....you know why we do it...stop asking all the time...we dont have a personal vendetta against you, we do it for your safety. We also have alot of intelligence that the public doesnt know about it. so we have to enforce ceratin rules. and laptop is really is hard to look through in an x-ray machine. there is just too much to look at in a laptop....batteries, wires etc. and when you leave it in a bag it doesnt look good.
Cathy @ Jul 5th 2008 9:32AM
And these bags will be produced in What country?
Cathy @ Jul 5th 2008 9:42AM
And in What country will these bags be produced?
pindragon @ Jul 5th 2008 2:31PM
Not the US, that is for sure.
Jiggy @ Jul 5th 2008 9:43AM
I travel alot and I am stuck up with idiots at the airports or the idiots on the highways. I choose the idiots at the airports !
kenny aeekins @ Jul 5th 2008 9:51AM
Well let me say that that is true about inexperienced flyers but if you think this country is hard then maybe you need to fly international and try some other countries. This country is not hard at all when some make you take belts off shoes watchs rings necklaces and anything metal before you go through. and god for bid you cant see without glasses.
Lisandra @ Jul 5th 2008 11:42AM
yeah, in other countries, you have to strip down. and in some, its full cavity search baby!! so to all the whiners, shut up and be happy it isn't here!
Jiggy @ Jul 5th 2008 9:55AM
BITE ME !
Charlene @ Jul 5th 2008 10:04AM
When will they start making a "theft-proof" bag so baggage handlers and/or TSA will stop stealing from our suitcases?? Thousands of us are getting robbed from a place - an airport - that is supposed to be secure!!!
Cearralyn @ Jul 5th 2008 10:09AM
Gas prices may be high, but I and a friend of mine just drove 3,00 miles round trip in a fuel-efficent car, observing the speed limit or below, and we only spent a little over $400 on gas. It was divided, 4-lane highways 95% of the time. We stopped when we felt like it, ate when we felt like it, and we were not trapped in a plane for hours with a tiny bag of stale pretzels. I have another trip next year, and I will NOT be flying. The airlines can take their extra charges and they know what they can do with them. I would not be surprised if one of these days they start charging to use the teeny tiny bathrooms on their jets.
LightBulb @ Jul 5th 2008 3:24PM
A 3,000 mile trip in a Toyota Prius, getting 40 to 46 average mpg costs me between $265US and $300US, and yes, it takes a longer, and the driving can be tiring, but it is fun and fabulous compared to flying if you have the time.
Cearralyn @ Jul 5th 2008 10:12AM
Excuse me, my post should have said 3,000 miles, not 3,00.