TSA launches search for the perfect laptop bag
The Transportation Security Administration is interested in evaluating -- and eventually approving –- the design of certain laptop bags, so travelers would be permitted to pass through security checkpoints without having to remove their laptops.
"If TSA was able to eliminate this requirement, it could lower passenger stress levels, increase checkpoint throughput, and reduce the number of claims TSA receives for laptops that have been damaged during screening," said a TSA request for information (RFI) published March 3.
The key is for TSA screeners to be able to view the laptop in a single X-ray image, so the laptop would not need to be placed in a separate TSA bin.
To accomplish this, the TSA RFI pointed out that the laptop bag would need to meet the following requirements:
• The carrying bag cannot exceed any one of the proposed dimensions – 16 inches in height, 24 inches wide and 36 inches long.
• The materials that make up the bag cannot degrade the quality of the X-ray image of the laptop.
• No straps, pockets, zippers, handles or closures of the bag can interfere with the image of the laptop.
• No electronics, chargers, batteries, wires, paper products, pens or other contents of the bag can shield the image of the laptop.
TSA is inviting bag designers and manufacturers to come up with creative ways to meet these design requirements, but it has also suggested three concepts of its own:
• A bag that would open completely, and lie horizontally on the X-ray belt, such that one side with hold only the laptop.
• A bag that would open completely, leaving the laptop standing vertically, supported by clips.
• A bag that would pull apart in separate compartments, with one compartment containing only the laptop.
Interested vendors have until April 17 to submit white papers describing their best concepts. Those companies selected by TSA will have until the end of May to submit prototype laptop cases based on as many as three different concepts. TSA will subject these prototypes to single-view, multi-view and computed tomography X-ray screening equipment to see if the images have sufficient resolution and clarity and are not shielded by other contents of the bag.
"TSA will use the results of the tests to evaluate whether it can eliminate the requirement to remove laptops from bags for certain types of bags," said the RFI.
Vendors can contact , a contract specialist in TSA’s office of acquisitions, at 571-227-2036.
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Comments on "TSA launches search for the perfect laptop bag"
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Zack McZack says:
March 17th, 2008 at 11:57am
Compared to Homeland? I think not. -
Paul Sexton says:
March 15th, 2008 at 11:55am
All this effort for possibly the silliest and most useless "screening" requirement yet (short of the Great Shoe Scare and the trashbarrels of Perrier and toothpaste.)
What really stinks is knowing we'll never get rid of this crap: no politician would dare to cry Bull$#!t and junk the TSA, knowing that the "terrorists" (who could have blown up an airliner any time they wanted since 9/11) would immediately do so in order to ruin him and start the panic all over again? -
Yeah Right says:
March 15th, 2008 at 11:38am
You TSA guys are crazy. What is it about laptops that makes them so much more of a threat than anything else? I don't have to separate -any- other part of my hand luggage for your screeners, why do I have to separate my laptop? Have you ever, ever, ever actually found a threatening laptop? Ever?
It's just a phenomenal waste of time.
The "perfect laptop bag" is one that I can put on the conveyer with all my other stuff with no messing around. Think you can deliver that? -
James Taylor says:
March 14th, 2008 at 1:35am
The requirements of the TSA on manufacturers is insane. The whole point of my carry-on laptop bag is to manage and contain all of my documents (travel and others), writing utensils, iPod, phone, etc. Everything I need to let stay calm, get ahold of my transportation at my destination and let family and associates know I've arrived safely at my destination. I'm tired of feeling like a criminal in my own country. -
Lawrence Behr says:
March 11th, 2008 at 11:51am
Imagine the confusion! Is my bag approved? Will the screener agree? Gotta be sure not to slip a pen in the case... no file folders either! Really dumb idea that will do nothing for us. You have to ask how many millions they will spend to evaluate these turkeys. I'll just pull my laptop out and put it in the bin, thank you!
By the way, what is a laptop? I have a small "palmtop" that never was requested to be removed during many security passages. I carried a larger "laptop" that was, and when they saw that was in the tray, they didn't care about the other! -
Thomas Rocker Sr. says:
March 10th, 2008 at 8:59pm
I'm sorry to say, if TSA put their right hand in their right rear pocket and then their left hand in their left rear pocket they couldn't find their butt let alone a bad guy. This is a gross waste of tax payers money having TSA. -
Max Flight says:
March 9th, 2008 at 7:26pm
This is a great example of an innovative approach to minimize a source of irritation for air travelers. Look, the security agents have to be able to tell what's in the bag. Computer bags might contain, in addition to the computer, a power supply, extra battery, ethernet cable, thumb drives, phone cord, and external drives. Also phone, PDA, and camera plus chargers. It's no wonder we have to take the laptop out to get a good x-ray picture. If someone can design a bag that holds all this stuff but still allows a clear view for the x-ray, then I'll line up to buy one.
The TSA deserves a pat on the back for this.
(I'm only connected to this as a member of the traveling public.)
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Lesa Gilbert says:
March 9th, 2008 at 12:47pm
I hope several companies can find ways to meet this criteria, to keep prices reasonable. No matter how prepared I think I am the lap top always seems to slow the process. Thanks for all you do to keep me safe. It is a nuisance for all of us but it still is better than being on a nation wide news minute because we were hijacked or bombed. -
Jeremy Duffy says:
March 7th, 2008 at 1:51pm
@Frustrated Passenger: Other than the Whitehouse you mean. And Congress. -
Roy Counts says:
March 7th, 2008 at 12:07pm
Frustrated passenger, you will always have something negative to say. If TSA does to much, complaint. If TSA does to little, complaint. Don't worry frustrated passenger, your negativity won't affect my integrity. I will continue to do my duty even as you chew on my ear. -
Frustrated Passenger says:
March 5th, 2008 at 2:27pm
Another smoke and mirror attempt by TSA to make a bad situation look better. No matter what they do, they will still be the most mismanaged, disfunctional organziation the U.S. Government has ever known.
