There has been chatter about TSA and laptop manufacturers working together to create TSA-approved laptop bags for speeding up security checks. The idea is travelers could avoid removing laptop from TSA-approved laptop bags. The driving requirement is allowing clear access to the laptop as if it were separated in its own security bin. You can expect bags which roll-out flat to separate the laptop from the other items in your bag which may prevent an unobstructed view of the laptop. Targus and a few other vendors have already announced TSA-approved models which should be available in the coming months.
I don’t believe this will save time in the short run as travelers and TSA personnel get accustomed to an updated security process incorporating the new laptop bags. I can see inexperienced travelers taking a cue from travelers with TSA-approved bags and sending in their unapproved laptop bags. Expect additional questions from TSA personnel if a travelers fails to remove their laptop into a separate bin. In the long run things should speed things up if there are enough travelers who purchase TSA-approved bags and we work through a few iterations.
I plan to keep my Tumi. I’ve my security process down to an art. Have a happy Monday morning.
The key term is checked baggage. You are still allowed to carry spare lithium batteries in your carry-on luggage with some new rules.
Here are the new rules from safetravel.dot.gov:
Effective January 1, 2008, the following rules apply to the spare lithium batteries you carry with you in case the battery in a device runs low:
- Spare batteries are the batteries you carry separately from the devices they power. When batteries are installed in a device, they are not considered spare batteries.
- You may not pack a spare lithium battery in your checked baggage
- You may bring spare lithium batteries with you in carry-on baggage – see our spare battery tips and how-to sections to find out how to pack spare batteries safely!
- Even though we recommend carrying your devices with you in carry-on baggage as well, if you must bring one in checked baggage, you may check it with the batteries installed.
The following quantity limits apply to both your spare and installed batteries. The limits are expressed in grams of “equivalent lithium content.” 8 grams of equivalent lithium content is approximately 100 watt-hours. 25 grams is approximately 300 watt-hours:
- Under the new rules, you can bring batteries with up to 8-gram equivalent lithium content. All lithium ion batteries in cell phones are below 8 gram equivalent lithium content. Nearly all laptop computers also are below this quantity threshold.
- You can also bring up to two spare batteries with an aggregate equivalent lithium content of up to 25 grams, in addition to any batteries that fall below the 8-gram threshold. Examples of two types of lithium ion batteries with equivalent lithium content over 8 grams but below 25 are shown below.
- For a lithium metal battery, whether installed in a device or carried as a spare, the limit on lithium content is 2 grams of lithium metal per battery.
- Almost all consumer-type lithium metal batteries are below 2 grams of lithium metal. But if you are unsure, contact the manufacturer!
Examples of extended-life rechargeable lithium batteries (more than 8 but not more than 25 grams of equivalent lithium content): * 130 watt-hour “universal” lithium ion battery * 160 watt-hour lithium ion battery for professional audio/visual equipment
Happy New Year, Road Warriors!
I do this twice a week, every Monday and Thursday, so I’d consider myself a seasoned veteran. I’ve seen less frequent travelers follow my lead and make it through security without a hitch. If you follow these steps, you should be able to get through security without any issues and minimize the chance of missing a flight if you’re running late.
Before you get to the airport, you need to do some things beforehand.
Preparation Tips:
- Checkin/print your boarding pass in advance and put it in an easily accessible location (e.g. coat pocket, purse)
- Ensure all liquids are in a quart-sized sandwich bag in an easily accessible location (e.g. front pocket of your carry-on, backpack)
- Wear shoes which you can slip on and off with relative ease
- If your belt buckle is Texas-style large, swap belts or don’t wear it
- Empty your pockets of all change or transfer your loose change to your bag or jacket pockets
Key Tips to Get Through Security:
- After getting your boarding pass and ID checked - put your boarding pass in your pocket (not coat pocket). Security will ask for it after you move through the metal detector
- Use only 2 plastic bins - one for your laptop and the other one for your shoes, coat, and quart-sized sandwich bag with your liquids
- Keep your wallet, watch, and belt ON - no need to take them off if you followed the preparation tips
- Don’t put your carry-on bag on the table, roll it with you until you get to the x-ray machine - it’s easier to manage that way and you don’t take valuable table space from the people behind you
- At the metal detector always WAIT for the TSA employee to give you the signal to come through
- Read the TSA’s badge and greet them by name with a smile - look them in straight in the eye
NOTE: If you do get pulled aside for a bag check or a manual scan always cooperate, smile, and don’t try to speed up the process. You are not allowed to touch your bags while they are checking them. They are not concerned you’ll miss your flight. Let the TSA person do their job (even if they do it slowly) and you’ll get through the process faster.
Here’s hoping you always catch your flight.
New updates to the forth-coming Registered Traveler program:
You will be able to keep your shoes on thanks to the advances of shoe-scanning technology! The newly developed kiosk will be able to scan your shoes for bombs while testing your fingers for traces of explosive-making materials. Sounds like fun.
The article in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal says nothing about whether it will replace the numerous other security mechanisms. I’m very excited about going through a metal detector, the air puffing machine, and finally, a shoe scanning and finger testing machine.
I wonder when we’ll have that x-ray machine from the movie, Total Recall.
Alright – the humor is somewhat unoriginal (think Airplane, the Movie), but what the hell.
Sometimes you just need to laugh.
We’ve all heard about the “No-Fly List” in all its numerous name incarnations. Unfortunately, it’s another safety mechanism that falls into the bucket labeled, “False Sense of Security Items Here”. How do we know this? Well, apparently 60 minutes has obtained a copy of this secret watchlist (which apparently is not that secret).
This list has several unlikely terrorists:
These include Saddam Hussein, who is under arrest, Nabih Berri, Lebanon’s parliamentary speaker, and Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia. It also includes the names of 14 of the 19 dead 9/11 hijackers.
The list is also outdated:
The 11 British suspects recently charged with plotting to blow up airliners with liquid explosives were not on it, despite the fact they were under surveillance for more than a year.
The kicker is the list just contains names. That’s it. There is nothing else used to identify the people on the list. So if your name is Robert Johnson and you fly alot, it might be a good idea to just change your name.
Gary Smith, John Williams and Robert Johnson are some of those names. Kroft talked to 12 people with the name Robert Johnson, all of whom are detained almost every time they fly. The detentions can include strip searches and long delays in their travels.
“Well, Robert Johnson will never get off the list,” says Donna Bucella, who oversaw the creation of the list and has headed up the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center since 2003. She regrets the trouble they experience, but chalks it up to the price of security in the post-9/11 world. “They’re going to be inconvenienced every time … because they do have the name of a person who’s a known or suspected terrorist,” says Bucella.
In all the movies I’ve seen, the bad guys are usually using fake names and counterfeit passports. But, hey, those are just the movies!
My heart goes out to you business travelers named, Robert Johnson or John Williams. Seriously.
The only thing worse than no data, is bad data.
The original press release was somewhat vague. Fortunately they issued another press release with additional instructions. After reading the updated instructions, I believe relaxed may have been a bit presumptuous…
You can now bring liquids on a plane as long as you follow these guidelines:
Guideline #1
Travelers may now carry through security checkpoints travel-size toiletries (3 ounces or less) that fit comfortably in ONE, QUART-SIZE, clear plastic, zip-top bag. To clarify – you need to put your toiletries in a separate zip lock bag as shown below.
Guideline #2
After clearing security, travelers can now bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure boarding area on-board aircraft.
Guideline #3
At the checkpoint travelers will be asked to remove the zip-top bag of liquids and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.
The TSA also offers…
Travel Tips To Make Your Screening Experience Hassle-free
- The secret to getting through security smoothly is to de-clutter your carry-on bag. This lets our Transportation Security Officers get a clear, uncomplicated X-ray image of your carry-on.
- When possible, keep packing liquids in checked baggage. You will get through security faster.
- Limit quantities to what is needed for the duration of the flight.
So if you want to fly “hassle free” just follow these simple rules. In the meantime, will someone teach the TSA the definition of “hassle free”.
Sorry, I’m just being bitter for all of you.
There are numerous articles that seem to believe that you are legally allowed to fly, even if you do not produce a government-issued ID. In fact, there are many experiences of people flying without an ID, after volunteering themselves to a secondary screening.
But the following appeal was denied on all accounts – which seems to refute your freedoms are being trampled on if you are required to produce government-issued identification.
While I agree requiring a government-issued ID does nothing but provide a false sense of security, it is probably in your best interests to bring your identification, just so you don’t have to deal with any additional time sinks when traveling.
Pack your ID so you’ll spend more time with your family and less time at the airport.