Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags

[LiamR]

Hi All,

I'm wondering if I can have some advice on checkpoint friendly laptop bags (if they even exist here), my new MacBook Air 13" dosen't fit in the front pocket of my carry on. And I want to reduce my time at security as much as possible. (Inspired by Ryan Bingham)

Does anyone use a so called 'checkpoint friendly bag'? I've seen many bags which have tags on them saying "Airplane Friendly" Wondering if this means I won't have to get the dam thing out. I've never heard of this in Australia. Knowing the trolls at security, they would most likeley request I take it out anyway.

Has anyone had any experience with this?

Thanks,
LR.

 

[Archphoto]

Unfortunately, laptops being taken out of their carry bag differ everywhere. In some airports, I can leave my Mac in it's skin, others I need to remove totally.

Not only is the "non-uniform" application a pain, but can anyone honestly tell me how a "skin" (wetsuit style cover) could possibly interfere with being x-rayed?

I can go through BKK, SYD, ADL HKG without needing to remove it from its protective cover, but in SIN it has to be removed.

Seems like a pointless exercise, but one that I do week-in, week-out and I always wonder why?

 

[moa999]

I also use a wetsuit skin for my Dell Mini 9 and whilst it is normally ok, YMMV

 

[LiamR]

Unfortunately, laptops being taken out of their carry bag differ everywhere. In some airports, I can leave my Mac in it's skin, others I need to remove totally.

Not only is the "non-uniform" application a pain, but can anyone honestly tell me how a "skin" (wetsuit style cover) could possibly interfere with being x-rayed?

I can go through BKK, SYD, ADL HKG without needing to remove it from its protective cover, but in SIN it has to be removed.

Seems like a pointless exercise, but one that I do week-in, week-out and I always wonder why?

Security seems inconsistant even at an airport. I've noticed the far right X-Ray at QF BNE sets off my watch, yet the far left one (Now the express lane for WP, SG & J PAX) dosen't....

The only consistant thing about Airport Security is that it is inconsistant! I think we've all gotten use to their strange requests by now and consider it normal...

 

[TonyHancock]

You will almost certainly have to take your MacBook Air out of any bag.

I have an STM Revolution backpack and it is easy to slip my MacBook Air in and out of it.

 

[dot]

The only place where you will get away without removing the laptop from your bag is in the LOTFATP IF you have one of the TSA approved security bags where the laptop section hinges 180 degrees so that it is flat and without obstructions for the scanner - then you can leave it in the bag, just unzip the section lay it flat, scan, zip it back up. Even if you have one of these bags, you will need to remove the laptop pretty much everywhere else.

Regardless of TSA approval, if security clearance is a priority, I would recommend getting a backpack with a zippered section that will allow direct access to your laptop. I have a Targus Voyager backpack and while it is a really good laptop backpack, having a flap that goes over the top of the zippered sections that must be unclipped/clipped is a pain at security checkpoints which certainly slows me down. The plus side of the flap is additional security from pick-pockets and rain - the world is full of compromises...

 

[MissBurrill]

One of my friends has ordered a checkpoint friendly laptop bag from overseas. I don't know what brand unfortunately.

A quick search of the interweb found this one Checkpoint Flyer

 

[medhead]

Not only is the "non-uniform" application a pain, but can anyone honestly tell me how a "skin" (wetsuit style cover) could possibly interfere with being x-rayed?

The problem is not to do with xraying through the skin. The xrays are directional being emitted from one side of the bag to the other. The problem is that the laptop can obscure items behind the laptop.

 

[samh004]

You will almost certainly have to take your MacBook Air out of any bag.

I have an STM Revolution backpack and it is easy to slip my MacBook Air in and out of it.

I see they’ve continued to change over the years. I bought a small version in 2007 and it’s served me well ever since, though gets a little cramped when I need to take clothes for any longer than a day.

One of my friends has ordered a checkpoint friendly laptop bag from overseas. I don't know what brand unfortunately.

A quick search of the interweb found this one Checkpoint Flyer

Expensive, but it’s an interesting design.

 

[malmacdowall]

I got sick of taking the laptop in / out at checkpoints. So I have changed to the iPad for my interstate business travel.. I dont take it out of the bag and have not had any issues in over 6 months of travel with regular interstate travel... (although I must confess, I can't replace my laptop completely with the iPad, but it covers my needs for presentations, reports, pictures, email and Internet ...) and weighs about 3kg less than the laptop...

 

[serfty]

In over 100 flight segments throughout the world in the last 14 months, only once was I asked to remove my 10½" Acer netbook from it's 'wetsuit'.

This includes travel in the USA, OZ, Europe, NZ and Asia.

 

[LiamR]

I got sick of taking the laptop in / out at checkpoints. So I have changed to the iPad for my interstate business travel.. I dont take it out of the bag and have not had any issues in over 6 months of travel with regular interstate travel... (although I must confess, I can't replace my laptop completely with the iPad, but it covers my needs for presentations, reports, pictures, email and Internet ...) and weighs about 3kg less than the laptop...

For about three months I too just used an iPad, which worked great for presentations, email and internet..... However, our business has its own software which is PC only. So had to give up on the iPad.

 

[Archphoto]

The problem is not to do with xraying through the skin. The xrays are directional being emitted from one side of the bag to the other. The problem is that the laptop can obscure items behind the laptop.

I do take the laptop out of my carry bag. It's the need to take out of the skin that perplexes me. They put the laptop through separately so nothing else is actually near it anyway.

Whilst you might be able to get "security friendly " bags, I have the sneaking suspicion you'll be asked to remove anyway.

 

[LiamR]

I used a tagus case this morning at SYD T3... I opened the case as shown below and apart from a strage look they had no problems. Just zipped it up and off I went. No fumblying trying to get a laptop back in its case ect.. Nice and Easy!!

Bag: Targus | TBD005AU – Hardsided SlimLine Laptop Case 13.3 Inch


How I placed it on the X-Ray Belt..

 

[medhead]

I do take the laptop out of my carry bag. It's the need to take out of the skin that perplexes me. They put the laptop through separately so nothing else is actually near it anyway.

I also don't see the need to remove it from the skin. However there could still be something (a knife or whatever) inside the skin underneath the laptop. So, in principle, the reason for removal from the bag would also suggest removal from the skin..but do note my first comment.

 

[Archphoto]

Still extremely confusing that Liam's bag is acceptable but a skin isn't - would be interesting to see if it would get through SIN airport in the fashion he photographed.

The variances of security *are* mind boggling - I'm waiting for someone to ask for a government grant to give feedback on how varied *security* really is.

 

[LiamR]

Still extremely confusing that Liam's bag is acceptable but a skin isn't - would be interesting to see if it would get through SIN airport in the fashion he photographed.

The variances of security *are* mind boggling - I'm waiting for someone to ask for a government grant to give feedback on how varied *security* really is.

SIN asked me to remove it. Not becasue of screening hazards. But becasue they thought the laptop might fall out of the bag while being X-Rayed...

 

[Archphoto]

SIN asked me to remove it. Not becasue of screening hazards. But becasue they thought the laptop might fall out of the bag while being X-Rayed...

Love their reasoning.........:mrgreen: