TSA starts allowing checkpoint-friendly bags

We've been hearing a lot lately about the upcoming 'checkpoint-friendly' bags, but starting August 16, the Transportation Security Administration will finally let passengers with checkpoint-friendly bags go through airport security without removing their laptop from their computer bag. This is all in an effort to make the security process smoother, while helping passengers protect their laptops in the process.

Only three types of bags have been approved by TSA officers, which include a sleeve, a butterfly, and trifold design (pictured in the image above). All these styles have a designated laptop-only section that's free of pockets, metal zippers, and metal buckles, and provides an unobstructed view of the laptop as it lays flat on the X-ray belt. TSA lists all the required specifications of a checkpoint-friendly bag on its site, so check them out before buying one.

Now does this mean your old laptop sleeve is in the clear? Again, that all depends on whether your laptop sleeve has metal zippers, snaps, buckles, and pockets filled with extra accessories.

TSA does caution that bags labeled checkpoint-friendly will not always guarantee that you can leave your laptop in the bag. If a TSA agent doesn't see a clear image of the laptop separate from the rest of the bag, the laptop will have to come out of the bag and be screened separately, according to the TSA site.

Still want to buy one of these checkpoint-friendly bags? Here's a list of retailers who will be offering them in the coming months:

-Mobile Edge's ScanFast bags will be available mid-September for about $80-$100.
-Skooba is also releasing a briefcase in October for $140
-CODi Phantom CT3 Checkpoint Tested Laptop Bag is already selling on eBags for $199
-Solo will be offering a FlyThru bag for netbooks and laptops up to 15.4 inches with prices ranging between $30 and $60
-Incipio has QuickCheck cases for the Macbook listed on its site for $45.

I'm sure other companies (Kenneth Cole, Samsonite, Case Logic) will start offering their versions soon, so keep checking back for the latest styles.