Have laptop, will breeze through security?
New laptop cases may speed passage
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration is moving closer to easing one of the biggest post-9/11 security hassles: making airline travelers take laptops out of cases at airport checkpoints.
A policy likely to take effect in a few months would allow passengers to put certain types of cases through airport X-ray machines with laptops inside.
Manufacturers such as Targus and Skooba Design are designing new “checkpoint-friendly” cases, which passengers would have to buy if they want to take advantage of the new TSA policy. Travelers could still use old cases but would have to continue removing laptops at checkpoints.
The TSA received 52 written proposals after announcing in March that it was looking for “checkpoint-friendly” cases. Many ideas feature “clamshell designs” with two sides that fold together like a book. One side holds papers, cables and other accessories; the other side holds only the laptop.
At a checkpoint, the case would unfold and be placed flat on the X-ray belt so screeners would see the laptop in its otherwise-empty sleeve as clearly as if it were in a security bin with nothing else.
The TSA will not approve or certify laptop cases. The agency has published guidelines for cases and will add more guidelines in early June after prototype tests.
The TSA acknowledges that some passengers will put cases through X-ray machines that do not provide clear images. The agency plans a publicity campaign to inform fliers about the features required to make a case checkpoint-friendly.
Source: usatoday.com
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