Posts Tagged checkpoint friendly
Checkpoint-Friendly Backpack: Brenthaven MetroLite BP-XF
Going through airport security is enough of a hassle these days, so I’m always looking out for anything that makes the process a little easier. And Brenthaven’s new, checkpoint-friendly MetroLite BP-XF backpack is a well-built laptop and accessories bag that will protect your gear while saving time in the security line.
Brenthaven calls its design X-Ray Friendly, which means normally your laptop will not have to be removed before going through the x-ray machine. It butterflies open with one zipper, giving screeners an unobstructed view of the laptop while it’s still protected inside the bag.
My 15.4″ laptop fit snugly inside with padding all around it. There’s a dedicated storage pocket on the front for a battery and charger, along with two other front, zippered pockets.
The case also features an accessory panel inside with plenty of room for cables, a portable router, GPS, a cell phone or other things you’ll need on the road.
Even though the case is designed as a backpack, it works just as well hand carried with the backpack straps tucked into a rear pocket.
The MetroLite BP-XF goes a long way in protecting your computer, with up to two inches of high-density foam around all six sides and reinforcement around the corners and bottom. And when the laptop can stay inside the case, there’s less risk of dropping it while going through the checkpoint.
The bag is made of rugged nylon and lightweight, at 2.6 pounds.
Brenthaven is also proud of its environmental record, aiming for zero impact on the environment. The company carefully chooses its materials and transportation methods and also invests in carbon credits and other green initiatives.
The MetroLite BP-XF backpack is very reasonably priced for a bag with all these features. It retails for $99.95, with a significant discount available from Amazon.
There is one disclaimer: a TSA screener may still require you to remove a laptop from a checkpoint-friendly bag. I’ve never had that happen, but it could.
Brenthaven’s MetroLite BP-XF backpack has a lot to like. It’s tough, well designed and reasonably priced. And its checkpoint-friendly design can help protect your valuable laptop on those trips through the x-ray machine.
Posted by JohnG in Business Gear, General Gear, Travel Light on June 28th, 2010
Checkpoint-Friendly: Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer
I’m all in favor of anything that gets me through airport checkpoints easier and faster. So after looking through the field of checkpoint-friendly laptop bags, I was eager to try out Tom Bihn’s new Checkpoint Flyer. And soon I was flying through security.
With the Checkpoint Flyer, I don’t have to take my laptop out of the case as it goes through x-ray screening. And since I carry a laptop on almost every trip, that makes a big difference.
Look, I’m already fumbling around enough getting out my boarding pass and ID, taking off my shoes and jacket, emptying my pockets, stowing the cell phone and taking out the liquids. Besides saving time, this bag gives an extra measure of protection to my laptop. That’s important, since I had a hard drive that never worked again after a rough ride through the x-ray machine.
Tom Bihn came up with an ingenious design for the Checkpoint Flyer. The laptop, by itself, slides into a foam-padded, weather-resistant case. For normal carrying, the case fits between a front flap with two pockets and a separate, zippered compartment that includes plenty of room and pockets for carrying and organizing cables, chargers, music players, sunglasses and other things I like to keep handy on a flight.
The magic happens when two straps are unbuckled—it only takes a few seconds. Then the laptop case can lie flat on the x-ray belt and go through alongside the rest of the bag. See how it works with Tom Bihn’s animated pictures here.
The laptop sleeve meets TSA requirements because it gives the x-ray screener an unobstructed view. Just remember to put cords and everything else in the other part of the bag. Only the laptop goes in the padded case.
Four different sizes are available to fit popular models of laptops. You can even buy the Checkpoint Flyer Laptop Case separately if you carry different computers. Any size of the laptop case will clip to the rest of the bag.
The bag fits easily under the seat on the plane, so it can be carried on as a personal item in addition to a larger bag for the overhead bin.
The Checkpoint Flyer looks great, too. It’s available in four colors and sells for $220. There are cheaper checkpoint-friendly bags on the market. But Tom Bihn has a reputation for quality and the bags are meticulously made in Seattle. Consider it an investment that will last a long time.
Some optional accessories I’d recommend include the Absolute Shoulder Strap ($30)—easy on the shoulder, with just the right amount of “give” for comfortable carrying. The strap has an internal control-stretch system which Tom Bihn has patented.
If you’re carrying lots of papers, pens and other accessories, the Horizontal Freudian Slip ($35) will keep things organized.
I’ve carried Tom Bihn’s Checkpoint Flyer all over the country recently and it sailed through the x-ray machine every time. In Nashville, I even felt a twinge of sympathy for a guy in the next lane who was fumbling around with wire spaghetti as he removed his laptop from the case. He needed one of these.
See all our Tom Bihn gear reviews
Posted by JohnG in Travel Light on December 14th, 2009
