TSA Restricts Laptop Bags

Starting August 16, 2008 the TSA (Transportation Safety Administration) will begin allowing laptops to stay in their bags while passing through security checkpoints at airports nation wide.  Of-course there are new requirements that must be meet before attempting to pass through security with your computer still in the bag.

“TSA has recently encouraged manufacturers to design bags that will produce a clear and unobstructed image of the laptop when undergoing X-ray screening.” The manufactures must adhere to any of the three  X-ray friendly styles, Butterfly, Trifold or Sleeve.

In addition to the style restriction there are a number of other factors that you will need to remember while packing.

• Your laptop bag has a designated laptop-only section that can lay flat on the X-ray belt
• There are no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on-top of the laptop-only section
• There are no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section
• There is nothing in the laptop compartment other than the laptop
• You have completely unfolded your bag so that there is nothing above or below the laptop-only section, allowing the bag to lay flat on the X-ray belt

Anyone traveling with extra cords, printers or external drives will find it difficult to pack everything into a single bags under the guidelines. Travelers will be forced to carry multiply bags, potentially being subject to additional security checks and fees. Most airlines have already introduced a fee for additional bags because of the rising fuel costs.

Currently these new regulation only pertain to those choosing to purchase the new bags.  Otherwise travelers will continue to be asked to remove their computers before being scanned. 

In all likelihood the new bags will becoming mandatory in the near future as the government tightens their control over us in the name freedom. You wont be able to travel with your computer unless it has been approved by the government. 

We see this already taking place at the borders into the U.S. Border guards have the authority to seize travelers computers, iPods, cameras or any other device that can store information without a warrant for a “reasonable period of time”.

 TSA Press Release

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