Laptop Bags that Breeze through Airport Security

If you remember the post about the 12,000 lost laptops in airports statistic then you should understand why Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been working with case manufacturers to create "checkpoint-friendly" laptop bags that can be passed through security without have to remove your computer.

They started allowing the bags in late August so people can protect their notebooks from being damaged, forgotten (really?!!?) and stolen (makes sense because of all the laptops that get stolen). If your wondering whether your bag will breeze through the checkpoints, then check whether it meets the TSA's criteria. The TSA has five official specifications for bags:

1. A designated laptop-only section.
2. A laptop-only section that completely unfolds to lay flat on the X-ray conveyor belt.
3. No metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on top of the laptop-only section.
4. No pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section.
5. Nothing packed in the laptop-only section other than the computer itself.

"To meet these requirements, case makers have come up with three basic bag designs: zippered clamshells that open flat with your laptop on one side and everything else on the other; double- or triple-compartment bags that unfold and lie flat like a garment bag, again with the laptop on one side; and simple notebook sleeves that either fit into a larger bag (in which case you'll need to take the sleeve out for scanning) or are carried alone. Many existing sleeves meet these criteria, as long as they don't have pockets or metal parts on the sides. "
Thanks to Beck Waring from Computer World's article, she lists eight of the best and latest TSA-approved notebook bags to cut the time spent at the security checkpoint.

1. Aerovation Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag-The first checkpoint-friendly bag created for $129.95 is "designed to give the traveler access to files, pens, cell phone and media. There's also enough room for a change of underwear and toiletries."
2. CODi Phantom CT3 - has many comparments and is 16.5 by 6.25 by 12.25 inches and 2.5 lbs. for $225
3. Mobile Edge ScanFast Backpack - "hold laptops with displays up to 15.4 inches, cost $99.99. Most notable, however, is the ScanFast Backpack, also $99.99, the only such model we found. It holds notebooks with up to 17-in. displays and unzips to open flat for security. The padded notebook compartment is in the back, while the front half has several zippered pockets to organize your gear and reading materials. Overall dimensions are 19 by 14 by 7 inches."
4. Pathfinder Wheeled Checkpoint Friendly CompuBrief - It has wheels for $149!! Unless you don't like wheels then you can buy it for $99. It can hold up to a 15.4-in. display and unzips to lie flat on the security belt. The Wheeled Checkpoint Friendly CompuBrief is 14 by 8 by 17 inches and weighs 7 lbs. Both have many compartments and zippers (like many bags do...)
   

5. Skooba Design Checkthrough - for $139.95, it has an inside clear laptop compartment that unzips to rush through the screening. Designed to hold 15-in. laptops, the vendor claims that many 16- and compact 17-in. models will also fit. Overall dimensions are 17 by 13 by 7.5 inches; it weighs 3 lbs.

6. Solo CheckFast Laptop Clamshell -Available in November for $50!! It's a very slim and efficent bag that holds a 15.4-in display and has padded safety with comparements.

7. Targus Zip-Thru 15.4" Corporate Traveler Laptop Case- Available in October for $99.99. It has "adjustable air cushioning system around the notebook compartment that helps prevent drop damage." Has many more comparemtents and holds 15.4-in or smaller displays.

8. Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer Briefcase- A favorite amongst travelers, this $220 case has three hinged compartments that fold up into a compact case. It can fit smaller overhead bins, expands to 18.5 by 12.5 by 7.5 inches, more than 10 compartments and "comes in three sizes for 13-, 15- and 17-in. notebooks, and doubles as a laptop sleeve, complete with handles."

I don't know about you but getting through those insane security checkpoints faster has got me booking a flight. LITERALLY!

[Via ComputerWorld]

Join the Mile High Club in Bed

If you dream about flying or having sex on an airplane, then maybe you should get this groovy bed! The bed by MotoArt is made out of two DC-9 (passenger jet) rear stabilizers and a C-130 (military cargo aircraft) inner flap. Meaning they found another way to recycle aircraft and make money. The bed is named Mile High is 11' by 7'-6" and 4'-6" high. The best feature that will turn on all the ladies will be the red glowing internal LED lighting. RAWR! I think I'm getting turned on. The marketed slogan is "a wonderful playground for you and your co-pilot." I could see this being used in a re-make of Top Gun.

What I don't understand is why are people claiming this product is geeky. Geeky would be adding a computer into the bed or a gaming system. I would spend more than the supposed $35,000 for the bed if it had extra features like an integrated stereo system or a miniature computer system that has Wi-Fi. (That is if I had the money to buy a bed like that.)

Check out the slide show

[MotoArt via TFTS via GizModo]

Airports collect laptops. Are we to blame?

A new study released Monday by Ponemon Institute LLC found 637,000 laptops are lost in airports every year. (I am astonished. I understand laptop's being stolen, but how can you lose a large rectangular thing that can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars? It's not like a cellphone that can easily fall out of a bag without making a lot of noise.)

The worst part is that laptops are commonly lost at security check points. I don't understand. At the security checkpoints:

1. You take out your computer
2. Put it on the conveyor belt
3. Go through the metal detector
4. Walk to the conveyor belt to get your shoes
5. Your laptop at this point has gone through and you put it back in your bag
6. Then walk away (with your shoes on)

Please explain to me how, during this process, 10,278 laptops are lost every week at 36 of the largest airports and 2,000 from mid-size airports. (I'm not done. It get's worse.)

"About 77% of people surveyed said they had no hope of recovering a
lost laptop at the airport, with 16% saying they wouldn't do anything if they
lost their laptop during business travel. About 53% said that laptops contain
confidential company information, with 65% taking no steps to protect the
information."

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! If I lost my laptop, (which would never happen because I'm not THAT blonde) I would be calling that airport to the point that they would give me a new computer just to stop calling. (They would probably give me one of the many lost laptops sitting around).

I am also wondering why people don't put password security on their laptop accounts and "confidential company information." It's not that hard to do, but for those of you that it is we have a solution. Absolute Software Corp. created a tracking device called LoJack that reports it's location via Internet connection. The other option is to get a Dell that has GPS technology and "data protection services" that enable you to remotely delete data on a hard drive and recover data from failed hard drives.

What I was really thinking about after reading this article was what do they do with all the lonely and lost laptops sitting around? Do they auction them off to employees? Do they give it back to trolls that steal them to sell them on eBay? (which could explain how the airline companies stay in business with rising fuel prices) OR are they collecting all the laptops to make a super laptop to take over the world. (A little out there, but we should never rule anything out.

On that note, maybe I shouldn't rule out that it could be human error on our part.