Airports Adopt New Laptop RuLes

ThAVEIERS FORCED TO unpack their notebook computer at airport screening stations received some rclief in August as the Transportation Security Administration began letting people with “checkpoint friendly’1 bags leave the hardware inside.Such bags or cases must have a laptop-only section that completely unfolds to lie flat on the X-ray belt, the TSA says.The bag cannot contain metal snaps, zippers, or buckles inside, underneath, or on top of that laptop scction; nor can it sport pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop- only part of the case. Some 60 bag manufacturers expressed interest when the guidelines were unveiled several months ago, and 40 tested prototypes at one of three airports the government agency designated. Although the TSA says some current bags meet its criteria, particularly sleevelike carrying cases that lack pockets or zippers, most will be new products. Even if a bag meets the guidelines, however, nothing is guaranteed. ‘Given TSA’s use of random screening protocols, TSA reserves the right to re-screen any bag or laptop,’ the agency says.