So I just bought a school backpack online. It is labelled as "TSA friendly." What does that mean? It's not made out of hemp?
Doesn't contain any nitrates? Doesn't have any zippers that don't unzip? Doesn't have any secret compartments?
Doesn't contain any nitrates? Doesn't have any zippers that don't unzip? Doesn't have any secret compartments?
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
"TSA friendly" backpacks are designed to produce clear and unobstructed images of laptop computers when undergoing X-ray screening. Using one, you don't have to remove your laptop from the backpack when going through a TSA security checkpoint.
"Using one, you don't have to remove your laptop from the backpack when going through a TSA security checkpoint."
Interesting, I don't believe I have ever heard TSA say "Everyone take out your computers, except if your backpack is TSA friendly."
Interesting, I don't believe I have ever heard TSA say "Everyone take out your computers, except if your backpack is TSA friendly."
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Interesting, I don't believe I have ever heard TSA say "Everyone take out your computers, except if your backpack is TSA friendly."
Agreed. I think that would be considered a cognitive burden, from a TSA perspective.Originally Posted by yandosan
"Using one, you don't have to remove your laptop from the backpack when going through a TSA security checkpoint."Interesting, I don't believe I have ever heard TSA say "Everyone take out your computers, except if your backpack is TSA friendly."
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I havent heard them say that, but on more than one occasion when they have said laptops must come out and I instead unzip my backpack so that the laptop compartment folds out, they say something like oh, you have one of those. I didnt think such backpacks were that rare anymore.Originally Posted by yandosan
Interesting, I don't believe I have ever heard TSA say "Everyone take out your computers, except if your backpack is TSA friendly."
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Originally Posted by catocony
Agreed. I think that would be considered a cognitive burden, from a TSA perspective.
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I've been wondering about that. I'm an infrequent flier, so I have few opportunities to observe checkpoint goings-on, but I had always suspected that TSA would simply wave a paw and say "Bah!"* when someone tried to push a so-called TSA-friendly bag through without removing their laptop.Originally Posted by Rare
I havent heard them say that, but on more than one occasion when they have said laptops must come out and I instead unzip my backpack so that the laptop compartment folds out, they say something like oh, you have one of those. I didnt think such backpacks were that rare anymore.
Does the bag need to go into a bin, or can it be placed directly on the belt?
* Obscure Dilbert reference
Suspended
Either bin, or directly on the belt. But the TSA will sometimes still insist they come out. Just not often.
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I haven’t heard them say that, but on more than one occasion when they have said “laptops must come out” and I instead unzip my backpack so that the laptop compartment folds out, they say something like “oh, you have one of those.” I didn’t think such backpacks were that rare anymore.
Yes, it’s rare that the TSA pushes back when using such a pull-out/flip-out; but the same backpacks used in the same way at say LHR is a recipe for a higher chance of being sent to the “punish ‘em” slow line for manual searches. Not always, but sometimes.Originally Posted by Rare
I haven’t heard them say that, but on more than one occasion when they have said “laptops must come out” and I instead unzip my backpack so that the laptop compartment folds out, they say something like “oh, you have one of those.” I didn’t think such backpacks were that rare anymore.
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This.Originally Posted by TWA884
"TSA friendly" backpacks are designed to produce clear and unobstructed images of laptop computers when undergoing X-ray screening. Using one, you don't have to remove your laptop from the backpack when going through a TSA security checkpoint.
We see these fairly consistently, and our workforce is well versed enough to recognize them. These bags are great for students, business travelers and just about anyone else that is going to fly. It makes the process a bit simpler, in that you just unzip the compartment and lay it flat, then go on about your business.
**Caveat - these are designed to be used with the computer only in the computer compartment, if you put a ton of papers, or the mouse, or the tablet, or just about any other item in that compartment, the TSOs are going to call it for a bag check.