TSA launches search for the perfect laptop bag

Relief may be on the way for the one-quarter of the flying public who routinely carry laptop computers through airport security checkpoints and currently are required to remove their laptops from their protective carrying bags.

The Transportation Security Administration is interested in evaluating -- and eventually approving –- the design of certain laptop bags, so travelers would be permitted to pass through security checkpoints without having to remove their laptops.

"If TSA was able to eliminate this requirement, it could lower passenger stress levels, increase checkpoint throughput, and reduce the number of claims TSA receives for laptops that have been damaged during screening," said a TSA request for information (RFI) published March 3.

The key is for TSA screeners to be able to view the laptop in a single X-ray image, so the laptop would not need to be placed in a separate TSA bin.

To accomplish this, the TSA RFI pointed out that the laptop bag would need to meet the following requirements:

• The carrying bag cannot exceed any one of the proposed dimensions – 16 inches in height, 24 inches wide and 36 inches long.
• The materials that make up the bag cannot degrade the quality of the X-ray image of the laptop.
• No straps, pockets, zippers, handles or closures of the bag can interfere with the image of the laptop.
• No electronics, chargers, batteries, wires, paper products, pens or other contents of the bag can shield the image of the laptop.

TSA is inviting bag designers and manufacturers to come up with creative ways to meet these design requirements, but it has also suggested three concepts of its own:

• A bag that would open completely, and lie horizontally on the X-ray belt, such that one side with hold only the laptop.
• A bag that would open completely, leaving the laptop standing vertically, supported by clips.
• A bag that would pull apart in separate compartments, with one compartment containing only the laptop.

Interested vendors have until April 17 to submit white papers describing their best concepts. Those companies selected by TSA will have until the end of May to submit prototype laptop cases based on as many as three different concepts. TSA will subject these prototypes to single-view, multi-view and computed tomography X-ray screening equipment to see if the images have sufficient resolution and clarity and are not shielded by other contents of the bag.

"TSA will use the results of the tests to evaluate whether it can eliminate the requirement to remove laptops from bags for certain types of bags," said the RFI.

Vendors can contact Melissa Conley, a contract specialist in TSA's office of acquisitions, at 571-227-2036.