Comments on: Security friendly laptop case

By: Neil McIntyre

Neil McIntyre — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:22:00 +0000

Nice idea but it will not work, especially in the US. And is it really that difficult to pull the laptop out of the bag? That’s like the easiest part of going through security – taking shoes off (if they’re lace-ups), taking the belt off (then re-looping it after), and emptying pockets are much bigger hassles!

By: Scott Stowell

Scott Stowell — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:03:36 +0000

I love the idea of these bags, but based on my experience they would never work. Every time I fly, I am told to remove my PowerBook from its bag and put the laptop by itself in a separate plastic tub for its journey through the machine.

I used to try placing my PowerBook on its case or sleeve to avoid scratching, but the TSA people don’t even allow any other objects to sit next to the laptop in its tub, much less allow the laptop to remain in some sort of bag.

By: My Name In Arabic

My Name In Arabic — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:20:46 +0000

I never had to pull my laptop from its bag ever. I heard though that laptops can be controlled in American airports. Not fun.

By: Klara

Klara — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:40:45 +0000

Well, Im from Europe and I can assure you that you need to take out the laptop. Not only taking it out but Opening it and sometimes starting it up!

I dont like that they open it by pushing the screen on only one side! I always ask to do it myself but I wonder what they are expecting to find..

Note that Europe consist of about 50 countries and only 27 of them are in the EU so the rules may vary…
With this in mind I really wonder how well this bag would actually work? Only in the US?

By: Kris

Kris — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:08:30 +0000

I have to third the Tom Bihn suggestion. I’m a big fan of all of their bags, and the Cafe bag I got from them 5 years ago still looks almost new despite daily use.

By: Bex!

Bex! — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:05:42 +0000

Tom Bihn makes some great products. The qulity is excellent. (I regularly carry of their cafe bags as a pruse, stuffed with things quite often. The only failing in th 6+ years I’ve had it is that the tag with the awesome French Easter egg was in a high traffic area and wore off. Luckily they were awesome and mailed me a fresh tag, which I plan to sew into the pocket, which doens’t get the traffic of the main bag.)

By: T. Rodriguez

T. Rodriguez — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:43:50 +0000

Here! Here! on the Tom Bihn bags. I can not tell you how great they are in quality and versatility. The Checkpoint Flyer has been getting great reviews and im considering getting one since I travel quite a bit.

By: JMO

JMO — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:33:46 +0000

If I traveled with my laptop more often I’d probably pick up a Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer:
http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/TBP/TB1701
Considerably more expensive — but I’m already a fan of their stuff, and it’s made here in Seattle.

By: Jay Reeder

Jay Reeder — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:22:00 +0000

Don’t pay good money to buy products that cater to the “security theater.”

Taking laptops out of bags has nothing to do with security, and everything to do with “making the people think we’re doing something.”

If you travel through continental Europe, you won’t be asked to take your laptop out of your bag, nor will you be expected to take off your shoes. And I daresay they’ve been dealing with a terrorist threat longer than we have.

By: LC

LC — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:59:54 +0000

timgray, I think taking out your laptop and unlocking it to show TSA officers is a small price to pay for a secure flight. I’m sure they don’t freak out, they are just doing what they are trained to do. Give them a break.
I think making TSA friendly things is a good step, but if a terrorist figures out a way to hide something in there, we’ll have to be willing to let them search that as well. Much better than burning up in a plane crash.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:54:31 +0000

I have read about the change in regulation. I am interested to know how it works in real life.

Even so, I will stick with my trusty backpack on business travel.

By: Fit Bottomed Girls

Fit Bottomed Girls — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:41:22 +0000

What a great idea! I generally don’t even try to travel with my laptop because it’s such a hassle.

By: timgray

timgray — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:20:20 +0000

If you want to be fully searched travel with a Panasonic Toughbook.

Every single time they act like I’m carrying a small nuclear bomb. they freak out about the key lock on it and the antenna.

Honestly most of TSA is all show, they should know what a professional laptop looks like.

By: ldh

ldh — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:52:25 +0000

I’m not convinced this will work…try telling the 20 something TSA people, “no, really, I don’t need to take this all the way out of the case.” I think we’re probably better off leaving our belt in our carry on until after security, wearing slip off shoes, and taking the laptop all the way out.

By: Dumitru

Dumitru — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:05:03 +0000

My cute little macbook pro screams for a new bag, the one I bought isn’t that great, time to upgrade