Luggage Travel Blog

This morning I was cruising sites for the latest travel news, and stumbled across this little gem on Budget Travel's blog:

"Video: The MagShoe Means Shoes Stay on at Airport Security"

Whoo-hoo!!!

Of course, this doesn't mean we have this sweet little piece of technology installed at American airports yet, but if the international airport in Tel Aviv (a place that doesn't mess around with security risk) trusts the technology, surely it will be hitting our shores anyday now. (please, please, please!!!)

It seems the airline industry and TSA has genuinely been trying to ease the burden airline security lines have become in US airports on already harried passengers. The TSA has worked with luggage and luggage accessory makers to make available products that ease the security process. Passengers worried about securing their items can use TSA approved locks, which are easily opened by security personnel, but no one else. Even more impressive are TSA approved laptop bags, which are hugely popular now, and yes, I have gone on at length in previous posts about their usefulness! How can I not? Being able to just send your laptop case through security without unpacking it means fewer computers damaged and stolen, and less time spent futzing with electronics.

Another bit of promising news -- the TSA has stated it plans to relax regulations on cosmetics liquid container sizes by the end of 2009 due to better X-ray equipment that can more accurately determine what you've got in those suspicious bottles. Many airports have also implemented express lines for business travelers who travel light, steering families with children and folks who are new to the process over to the "10 items or more" lines.

All this is good news, and if we can add MagShoe to that growing list of security line-easers, it will be great news! Currently, having to take one's shoes off is a weak link in the puzzle, making line waits much longer than they would otherwise be. So here's kudos to the TSA for advances already made, and a little encouragement to saunter on over to Tel Aviv, and check out the MagShoe, and maybe bring one back!

The TSA expanded the use of family lines at security checkpoints nationwide.

This is an important move to

 1) aid families who can't help but move through the line slowly with unpredictable kids and multiple bags

and

2) keep folks who are a little less burdened, but tight on time, moving through the security line quickly and happily.

It's a  win-win!

But here's more good news! In addition to the family lanes, the government expects to soon revisit the rule on how many ounces of lotions and potions you can bring on board. Apparently, scientists have been hard at work developing software for X-ray machines that can tell the difference from a bottle of shampoo and a botttle of liquid explosives.

I'm thrilled to see the TSA moving toward a happier security check-point experience, which will inevitably lead to happier travelers. You can further improve the check-point experience with TSA approved (not endorsed but approved) laptop cases. These laptop cases are sweeping the industry, and all the major brands are making them now.

Here's how they work. Slide your laptop into one of the Checkpoint friendly cases, and it doesn't have to leave the secure confines of  your case. That means less to contend with in the security check-point line, and less worry about your laptop sitting on the other side of the X-ray belt, while you're still trying to get through the metal detector.