New hoop for travelers to jump through: security-checkpoint friendly laptop bags

It's not enough now that you have to pay for pillows and water on airline flights, you now have to replace your laptop bag. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said today that beginning August 16 it will let passengers leave their laptop computers in bags that meet new "checkpoint friendly" standards.

And what are those standards?

• The bag must have a designated laptop-only section designated laptop-only section
• The laptop-only section completely unfolds to lay flat on the X-ray belt
• No metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on top of the laptop-only section
• No pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section
• Nothing packed in the laptop-only section other than the computer

The TSA said it asked manufacturers in March to design bags that will produce a clear and unobstructed image of the laptop when undergoing X-ray screening. More than 60 manufacturers responded and 40 submitted prototypes for testing, some of which will be on sale by mid-August, the TSA stated.

The agency did say there are a small percentage of bags currently on the market that meet the new standards, include sleeve-like carrying cases without pockets or zippers. These bag types have been tested and can produce a clear, unobstructed image provided nothing else is in the case, the TSA said.

Layer 8 in a box

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