One of the great truths of travel is that the TSA makes getting your luggage through customs and security an absolute pain. Oh, they’ve got their reasons, sure, but that doesn’t mitigate the hassle. Want to know what does? The messenger bag I’m about to introduce you guys to. Designed by the folks at Timbuk2 as a companion to their Copilot Luggage Roller, their TSA-approved messenger bag is a gift from above. Here’s what you can expect if you decide to add one to your own travel arsenal.

The Timbuk2 Command TSA-Friendly Messenger Bag: A Brief Overview

The TSA, or Transportation Security Administration, is a nightmare for travelers. Run afoul of them, and that honeymoon flight to Tahiti might just turn into a puddle-hop to Guantanamo Bay. Just when I was about to lose all hope of ever traveling in peace and comfort again, I ran across the Command TSA-Friendly Messenger Bag. It’s just what the name implies – everything the TSA loves to gripe about, this bag has a pocket, niche, or compartment for, and every single stitch is designed to be 100% compliant with TSA regulations. Don’t just take my word for it, though. It’s time to talk features!

What Your Money Gets You

The Command is $104 USD, and like its $225 USD Copilot counterpart, I firmly believe it’s worth every penny. Here’s what you get for your hard-earned dollars:

  • Intentional TSA Compliance: Whether you’re going home for the holidays or around the word on business, you can travel fearlessly and without any of the normal hassles you might’ve had to deal with in the past thanks to Timbuk2’s purposefully TSA-compliant design.
  • Digital-first Ethos: The modern traveler is primarily a creature of the digital age. This bag reflects that, and as such, is built around a spacious yet secure laptop / tablet compartment. Stow your gadgets in sleek, padded comfort, and organize all your cords and peripherals in their own slots and niches while you’re at it!
  • Plays Well With Others: Remember how I said the Command Messenger Bag is a perfect counterpart for the Timbuk2 Copilot? Well, for those of you who’re clamoring for a big, juicy piece of solid evidence, try this – beyond all of its adjustable shoulder and cross-body strap configurations, the Command TSA-Friendly Messenger Bag comes standard with a special back slot that slides over the handle of the Copilot when it’s extended. Just slip it on, and presto, you’ve got one tight-knit luggage wad ready to go, and it’s all but hands-free! In other words, this bag works great on its own, but it’s a killer as part of a team!
  • Custom Built: Every traveler is different, which is probably why this bag comes in three different size options (not to mention more color choices than you can shake a TSA threat detection wand at!). According to your needs and desires, you can go in a few different directions. When it comes to size, you can opt for the small (2.6 lbs., 18 liters), medium (2.7 lbs., 22 liters), or large (2.7 lbs. 26 liters) configurations; when it comes to colors, you can always go with basic black, but I prefer Diablo, which is their take on red, for a bit of color. The other choices, though they all have creative names like ‘Marsh’ or ‘Pike’, all tend to be muted and indistinguishable hues of brown or green. There was an attractive Dusk Blue option too, but it was out of stock when I was poking around Timbuk2’s website.

Conclusion / Where to Get Yours

To wrap things up, here’s a list of places you can get a Timbuk2 TSA compliant bag of your own:

Categorized in:

Luggage and Bags