The TSA / Transportation Security Administration screens laptops to see if the electronics have been tampered with and look for irregularities. So, what exactly is a “checkpoint friendly” laptop bag?

A.

A checkpoint friendly bag will allow officers a clear, unobstructed view of the laptop and allow passengers to keep it in the bag during screening. There needs to be an unobstructed view of the laptop as the it moves through the X-ray machine. These new rules are set to go into effect Aug. 16, 2008.

A checkpoint friendly bag will have a designated laptop-only section. The laptop only section unfolds to lie flat on the X-ray machine belt and contains no metal snaps, zippers or buckles and no pockets. The bag should be 30 inches or less in length when unfolded.

Bags are already being sold by Targus, Mobile Edge and others.

The new Targus Zip-Thru case ($99).
Mobile Edge Scanfast laptop bags.

References:
TSA’s blog post: The evolution of the Bag: Going “Checkpoint Friendly”.