TSA Opens 33 Self-Select Lanes This Summer

At the start of summer, we reported that the TSA was instituting “self-segregation” airport security lines at twelve airports across the country.
For the un-initiated, this means that you as a traveler get to decide which line you should be in: Family/Special Needs, Casual, or Expert. Here is a video tutorial from the TSA.

The program seems [...]

Targus Among Leaders in “Checkpoint Friendly” Laptop Bags

To all of you laptop-toting fliers, Targus has announced the release of their hundred-dollar, “checkpoint friendly,” Zip-Thru Corporate Laptop Case, which will, hopefully, allow you to remove one less thing while going through security. But, no promises.
As we reported earlier this month, the TSA is requesting bag manufacturers make laptop cases that separate the computer [...]

Pocket Passports Make Land and Sea Border Crossings More Efficient

The USA Today reports that the US State Department is now accepting applications for wallet-sized passports that are half the size and half the price of traditional passports. The new ID cards are to be used by residents who re-enter the U.S. by land or sea from Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean.
The mini-passports will contain [...]

TSA Sort of Endorses “Checkpoint Friendly” Laptop Bags

In typical TSA fashion, Kip Hawley, the agency’s director, has promised to not promise that new “checkpoint friendly laptop bags” will not be approved by the TSA. Confusing? Of course it is.

The challenge went out last March: The TSA would begin “evaluating” laptop bags for “approval”. Spikes in damage claims, and prolonged delays with over [...]

Economic Impact of Travelers’ Frustrations

In a landmark survey commissioned by the Travel Industry Association (TIA), reported on by the Wall Street Journal and conducted by Peter Hart & Associates / The Winston Group, nearly 41 million travelers avoided air travel, costing the economy $26 BILLION dollars over the last twelve months. That’s 100,000 travelers per day who decided they [...]