One of the smartest people I know who have made the transition from paper to electrons is Phil Baker. His blog “From Concept to Consumer” is part of my regular reading. Phil wrote a great article last month looking at luggage warranties. Now he didn’t cover all the brands that we’d like to see. He also had some help from the folks at Briggs & Riley; a company that really does completely stand by their product and offer one of the best warranties in the business. This article really adds much needed detail if you are considering a purchase and the “lifetime warranty” is going to be worth the cost.
On January 4, 2009,
in travel,
by Brian
While my current laptop bag is great (Brenthaven Pro) I find myself regularly on the look out for an overnight suitcase type bag that will hold my computer and some clothes. If you’re like me every couple of weeks someone asks you to go on a short trip; like overnight or just 2 days. You don’t need a lot of clothes; but you do need clothes and the toothbrush, razor, and all that. Sure, you can take a small suitcase and a computer bag but why? Who wants two bags if you are catching cab or walking through an airport to a plane? If I had something that could hold two changes of clothes and kit AND my computer; I’d be good to go.
Briggs & Riley 20" Computer Carry-on
Lots of my luggage is by Samsonite. The only problem is that none of their stuff that I own or have seen is really great for moving anything AND my computer. I can put the computer in a thin case and put it in the bag but I don’t want to be opening the entire suitcase to get my laptop out. Good luggage though! I saw that Macys is having their annual New Year luggage sale but didn’t see anything special.
I have had my eye on a Briggs & Riley Baseline Computer Carry on (eBags). Briggs has intrigued me since I first hears about them a couple of years ago. You have to admire their warranty. You (or your airline) breaks the bag and they fix it for free. Forever. And the reviews of customers carrying clothes and a computer are great. the only problem is the Briggs bags are not covered by eBags coupons (the way they put things on sale).
Any readers have any ideas? The search continues.
On October 28, 2008,
in travel,
by BagAdmin
Now that the TSA has issues guidelines for “checkpoint friendly” computer bags I thought we’d look around the web and try to gauge the public reaction.
PC Magazine reviewed 8 bags back in August.
Laptop magazine says in their article that a PC in the bag was accepted at 3/4 airports without any query by TSA. At a forth airport the writer pointed out that the bag was “checkpoint friendly” when asked to remove the laptop; and allowed to pass.
The folks over at the TSA blog, “The Evolution of Security” have this good article. It’s an overall positive review of the “new laptop bag procedures” and features links to some press on the topic.
I guess what I found most interesting was that many folks are able to use their existing bag and work within the new TSA screening guidelines to get through US airport security faster.
The reaction to some of the new bags that are marketed as “checkpoint friendly” wasn’t at all what I expected. ZDNet has an article that includes a review of a great looking new Tom Bihn bag. What was most interesting to me was the reader feedback. As with anything reviewed; not everyone likes the bag. Other comments pointed out that some folks are just using their existing bags and finding that the new screening procedure is more friendly.
USA Today reported that starting today airline passengers moving through US Transportaion Security Administration (TSA) security at airports with new “checkpoint” friendly” laptop cases might not have to remove their laptop from their bag or case. As pointed out in the article the TSA is not “certifying or approving laptop cases, brands or styles”. They do seem to be leaving it to the discretion of of the staff at the checkpoint in part based on whether they can get a clear picture of what is in the bag via X-ray. The only problem is that the TSA screener can still ask you to take the laptop out of the bag and run both through the X-ray again. The article mentions that a spokeman for Briggs & Riley commented that they will start embroidering a “checkpoint friendly” label on their cases; and that he worries that other manufacturers will start adding such labels to all their bags.
Here is the US TSA press release concerning “checkpoint friendly” bags.
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