22
May
The process of removing a laptop from the bag each time it has to pass through the x-ray machine increases the risk of the laptop getting dropped or stolen and is otherwise rather annoying. So the concept of a TSA-friendly laptop case that doesn’t require the laptop to come out of the bag is pretty appealing. Two vendors, Targus and Skooba, are on the case, working with the TSA on designs that are supposed to obviate the removal need at the checkpoints.
There’s just one problem with the whole thing – the TSA isn’t actually going to be specifically approving designs. So, unlike the TSA-approved lock program that specifies exactly what it takes and includes a label to indicate that the TSA actually approves, these new bags will be made “according to guidelines that the TSA publishes.” On the plus side, the vendors are actually working with the TSA to ensure that their products will be OK before they start marketing them. On the down side the designs in question are basically clamshells that open to have the laptop laying flat on the x-ray belt, without the protection of a bin surrounding it when the suitcase behind it comes rolling down the belt.
Obviously the manufacturers are hugely excited by this development:
“This could be huge,” said Michael Hess, CEO of Skooba, of Rochester, N.Y. “Anything that speeds up the process and reduces the burden on travelers and screeners will improve the deteriorating travel situation.”
Surprisingly he doesn’t mention that he expects huge revenue from folks buying new bags.
Anything that improves the screening process is a welcome development, but this seems more focused on driving private business than on actually making things work better.
The Flying Critic said,
TSA to allow laptops through x-ray in some new bags…
Seth at TravelTechTalk reports that TSA-friendly laptop cases are coming. The idea is to create a laptop bag that you don’t have to remove your laptop from when putting the bag through the x-ray machine. In theory this is good because it takes time to…
Michael Hess said,
Seth, I hope you don’t mind chiming in on a couple of things, since you mentioned us in the post:
1. Regarding the protection issue, very good point. I think you will find when our final designs get out there that there is quite a lot of thought in them, and that people will fee very comfortable putting these bags through the machine.
2. Though you may not believe it, the revenue issue you mention is really not our priority, nor a subject we were avoiding. In fact, if you think about it, we already sell laptop bags… so if someone buys one style it is often in lieu of another. Of course we all hope to find new opportunities and grow our businesses–that is good for our employees and for our customers, and it is what any good, heatlthy company should want. But truly, our primary goal here is to design a problem-solving bag, and if it does well, that means it solved a problem. As someone who travels internationally and often, I find the screening process very frustrating, and (at the TSA’s invitation) this is a chance for us to help make a very bad situation better. Some people call it “doing well by doing good.” That’s what we hope will come of this. Hope that makes sense. We are a very conscientious company and–as cliche as it may sound–we really care about doing things right and doing right by people above all else. If success follows, hopefully it is earned.
Thanks for listening and considering,
Michael Hess
Skooba Design
Seth said,
Michael:
Thanks for the comments. I am a bit of a cynic, and that comes out in my posts. On the protection issue, I’m hopeful, but the clamshell approach is still pretty annoying. It still requires unzipping the bag, which is half the problem today, but perhaps it will be a bit better.
On the profits side, while new bags will be purchased from one line or the other, there clearly must be some hope that this new effort will spur people to replace bags before they are really done, so there will be some spike in new purchases. I hope so, because it means that the bags really are good and will meet the TSA’s needs. I also know how articles get written and I know that the quote I picked was only one of what I’m sure were many things you said in the interview. At least I quoted the whole line and not just the “This will be huge” part of the quote. I hope for you guys that this is successful, because it means that the TSA has finally actually made things easier for folks travelling.
Of course, most of my concern is that the TSA will still manage to screw things up, since they aren’t really “certifying” the bags as part of this effort.
essxjay said,
Though I appreciate the reasoning behind the new designs by Skooba and Targus, I fail to see how switching to them saves their customers much time in the long run. Unless every air traveler follows suit, it’s reasonable to expect even more special pleading and kerfuffle at the X-ray queue than now:
“How come I have to remove my laptop, but she doesn’t?”
“C’mon, I don’t have *that* much in my bag…”
“Why should I have to buy [Brand X (or Y)] just to keep my laptop safe from theft and damage?”
“That’s just discrimination!”
(Etcetera.)
Airport security checkpoint friendly laptop cases on the way - Business Travel News said,
[...] unobstructed scan. What other bloggers are saying on this story: Tech Travel Talk: TSA-friendly laptop cases comingThe Flying Critic:TSA to allow laptops through x-ray in some new [...]
G. Kaplan said,
Hello, I agree with your comment about the clamshell. I was rather hoping they would approve certain laptop bags, and design a laptop shuttle that will fit inside most laptop cases. As you can see my business specializes in laptop cases!
Somehow we failed to find your blog on the subject before now. We will continue to check in for updates.
Thanks for the info! G. Kaplan
Ben Bosma said,
A checkpoint friendly laptop bag is not that hard to use. You separate the two compartments one of which contains the laptop and laptop only and put it on the belt. There is padding completely around the laptop. When it comes out the other end grab the handle and go. The two compartments fall together and the bag looks just like any other.
We’ve tested this bag and it offers the same protection as any other laptop bag with the exception of the hardshell bags which aren’t X-ray permeable nor cheap.
We’re pressing ahead with full scale production and given lead times will probably be the first to mass merchandise them.
-Ben Bosma
Aerovation Products
Seth said,
Ben:
Thanks for the comments and I look forward to trying out one of your bags to see just how well it works in action. The biggest complaint I have is that it still requires some action to prep the bag while en route. It sounds like the multi-compartment design you’re going for will be slightly different than the clam-shell design, so it will be intersting to see which one folks like more.
And, of course, there is the inevitable issue of the TSA not acknowledging their own regulations, but I’ll save that for another time.
Seth.
Bill said,
Hi Seth,
You should try out the Waterfield sleeves as well (sfbags.com). Great stuff.
~Bill
Mark A. Griffin said,
We offer a much lower cost bag. We have had many satisfied customers. We offer a Check Point friendly TSA compliant laptop bag. Please visit us at http://www.G-bags.com . We look forward to your interest.
Approved laptop x-ray bags now permitted - TravelTechTalk said,
[...] in May I posted about an impending change from the TSA to allow some laptops to be screened without having to remove them from their bags, [...]
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