Due to overwhelming demand, Skooba has opened the floodgates to the Checkpoint laptop bag that will make security lines a breeze. They’re still eight weeks out from shipping (early October), but they want you to pre-order now for $125.95 with free UPS ground shipping. To qualify for the 10 percent discount you have to submit your order by September 26th. You can download the pre-order form here (PDF) or check out the site for more details.
More news on the approaching possibility of keeping your laptop in a case while breezing through airport security. Along with bag-maker Skooba Design’s “beautiful prototypes, patents and trademarks pending,” they also posted a photo of a new security-friendly laptop case prototype for the new line, and they expect to have models available in time for the back to school/fall/holiday season.
The Transportation Security Administration says it has been working with luggage manufactures to create checkpoint friendly bags, which will allow travelers to keep laptops in their cases while slogging through security lines. TSA chief Kip Hawley told USA Today, that they should be in a position in a couple of months to allow people with the ‘right’ kinds of bags to leave electronics in them for scanning.
As shown, the new cases will unfold and when placed flat on the X-ray belt, screeners should be able to see the laptop inside as easily as when it was in a security bin all by itself.
While Skooba CEO Michael Hess, thinks security friendly bags, “could be huge,” I’m guessing it’ll take a bit longer than anyone hopes for this hot new development to have much an impact on security line wait times.
Skooba also has this flashy (if grainy) promotional video.
skooba\'s promotional video
Anyone that’s traveled with their laptop knows what a pain in the ass security is because you’re required to take out your laptop when going through the x-ray machine. I despise it and I travel quite often and it’s slowly becoming the bane of my existence. Maybe I’m being dramatic, but I think we can all agree that it’s an annoying process.
Targus and Skooba, among others, have heard our plight and they’re looking to cash-in. Both companies are currently working on prototype “checkpoint-friendly” cases that the TSA is currently testing. No word on when these bags will hit the market, but you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be waiting for one.
