New laptop security rules at US airports

Businesspeople and other travellers with laptops will soon be able to breathe a modest sigh of relief, as the American Transport Security Administration (TSA) has decided to allow passengers to leave their portable computers in their carry-on bags. For the past several years, passengers would have to remove their lap top computers which would often be checked for dangerous material with the help of a special swab and in many cases, passengers would have to turn their computers on, as a security precaution.

In order to enjoy the convenience that comes with not having to remove the laptop from one’s bag and then scramble to repack it after passing through them metal detectors, passengers will be required to use a special carrying case which contains no metal at all and is used exclusively for transporting portable computers. These so-called “check-point friendly” bags are on sale throughout the United States and the product’s manufacturers have sought out the help of TSA officials, in order to ensure that the bag complies with airport security requirements. In order to provide passengers with more information on how these convenient bags work, the TSA has even uploaded an introductory video to its website. The bags come in three popular designs, namely three-fold, butter-fly style and sleeve-style. Passengers need not remove their lap tops from these bags, because security officials will usually be able to get an unobstructed view of the computer’s inside when sent through the x-ray machine.

Thank you to the Baltimore Sun for the initial report.

www.tsa.gov