News media and websites are buzzing with Skooba Checkthrough™ bag story--

here are the facts

Sun, Sep 14 2008

Ever since the USA Today article came out about our work with the TSA and our upcoming checkpoint-friendly bags, newspapers, tech and news websites and blogs have been "going crazy" with stories, rumors, debates and opinions--some very strongly for, and some very strongly against the security-friendly bag concept. At the bottom of this page are just a few of the many articles, mentions, and feed pickups that have mentioned the story.

As a result of all this, we have been inundated with calls, e-mails and media requests about the new bags. While much of the information circulating out there is quite accurate, a lot of it is not. So, to help set the record straight, here is the scoop:

• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently put out a public request for proposals on laptop bag designs that might be permitted to go through security (X-ray) screening without having to remove the laptop. Skooba Design was one of many companies submitting proposals.

• The TSA provided a list of guidelines and requirements for any prospective bags. Contrary to much of the information floating around, these requirements did not include the need to make a separate bag for the laptop (thus requiring a second bag for accessories or other items), or anything else that would inconvenience travelers. On the contrary, the TSA initiative is very much intended to ease the process and congestion now plaguing the system.

• After all proposals were reviewed, the field was narrowed to those companies whose submissions met the basic requirements and were of interest to the TSA. Skooba Design's proposal was approved for further development at this point. 

• We produced and thoroughly tested nearly a dozen prototypes, which are also being tested by the TSA for verification that the designs will allow the laptop to be left in the bag with absolutely no degradation of the X-ray image. In our testing, the X-ray images of the laptop inside the bag were indistinguishable from the laptop on its own with no bag or covering .

• The TSA has determined that it is possible and practical to allow properly-made and tested bags to be screened with laptops inside, and is now allowing these bags to be screened, of course always reserving the right to re-scan, request laptop removal or otherwise inspect bag contents in any way it deems necessary for proper screening.

The bottom line is...

• There is no such thing as a "TSA-approved" laptop bag, from any company. TSA does not certify, endorse or otherwise authorize any bag for any purpose. However, Skooba Design's Checkthrough bag has been rigorously tested, by the TSA itself, by a variety of independent industry equipment manufacturers, and in real-world airport environments, Checkthrough meets all of the technical requirements for a "Checkpoint-Friendly" bag. The product is expected to ship by late October, and already has multiple patents and trademarks pending. On a technical level, these bags have been tested using the absolute latest equipment--including some X-ray technology that isn't ebven out yet--and are indeed 100% x-ray scannable. They will also include a variety of other unique features designed to improve the travel/security experience.
  

Whew!

Now, for those of you who want to see some of the information flying around out there, here are a few of the links. Again, please keep in mind that not all of the information in these articles and mentions is accurate, and of course Skooba Design has no control over any of the content:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20080522/tc_zd/227834

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/05/22/skooba-claims-first.html 

http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/23/skooba-skreener-gets-your-laptop-through-security-leaves-room-f/

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/skooba-designs-tsa-friendly-laptop-bag  

http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/05/22/skooba-targus-working-on-tsa-friendly-gear-bags/  

http://news.digitaltrends.com/news-article/16791/new-cases-to-take-notebooks-through-x-rays 

http://www.gearlog.com/2008/05/skooba_targus_others_working_o.php  

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4422  

http://www.gottabemobile.com/Laptop+Bags+Designed+To+Let+You+Get+Through+Security+Easier.aspx 

http://boardingarea.com/blogs/traveltechtalk/2008/05/22/tsa-friendly-laptop-cases-coming/ 

http://www.expressjetpilots.com/the-pipe/crew-room/24166-have-laptop-will-breeze-through-security.html 

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7011032208

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2308057,00.asp 

http://consumerist.com/tag/tsa/?i=5010459&t=new-checkpoint-friendly-laptop-cases-will-help-travelers-breeze-through-security 

http://www.slashgear.com/tsa-x-ray-laptop-bags-hitting-shelves-in-3-4-months-2211746.php 

http://fulgore.net/10894/skooba-and-targus-bags-to-get-your-laptop-through-security-leave-room-for-nothing-else.html 

http://www.intechnews.com/2008/05/25/skooba-and-targus-bags-to-get-your-laptop-through-security-leave-room-for-nothing-else-3/ 

http://www.adcult.com/ads/skooba-designs-tsa-friendly-laptop-bag/ 

http://gadgets2008.com/2008/05/24/skooba-and-targus-bags-to-get-your-laptop-through-security-leave-room-for-nothing-else/ 

http://workingathomesite.blogspot.com/2008/05/web-worker-daily_24.html 

http://cod4boards.com/news/21195-skooba-skreener-gets-your-laptop-through-security-leaves-room-nothing-else.html 

http://www.technologyupdatenews.com/2008/05/23/skooba-and-targus-bags-to-get-your-laptop-through-security-leave-room-for-nothing-else/ 

http://gadgetscomp.com/2008/05/24/skooba-and-targus-bags-to-get-your-laptop-through-security-leave-room-for-nothing-else/  

http://catedunn.com/post/35692002/have-laptop-will-breeze-through-security 

http://gadgetsaddict.com/skooba-skreener-gets-your-laptop-through-security-leaves-room-for-nothing-else/  

http://www.electronicsinfoline.com/News/New_Gadgets/Laptop/skooba-skreener-gets-your-laptop-through-security-leaves-room-for-nothing-else.html 

http://tpwireservice.com/mt/archives/2008/05/have_laptop_wil.html

http://www.airportbusiness.com/web/online/Top-News-Headlines/Have-laptop--will-skate-through-security/1$19997  

http://www.blogjunkies.com/24/05/2008/skooba-and-targus-bags-to-get-your-laptop-through-security-leave-room-for-nothing-else/ 

http://tennessean.gns.gannettonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080522/TECH01/703080944/1001/TECH 

http://mansfieldnewsjournal.gns.gannettonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080522/TECH01/703080944/1001/tech