GeekSugar

How to Pack Your Tech to Get Through Airport Security Fast

GeekSugar — Sat, 28 May 2011 03:05:05 PDT

If you're heading out on a jetplane for a long weekend, you've probably already given airport security some thought. I'll leave the body scanner debate for another day, but did you know your carry-on luggage could slow you down at the checkpoint, too? Properly packing your gadgets, accessories, and chargers will speed you through the X-ray line. Here, a few tips from the TSA on how to pack your bags and move right on through security.

Pack in layers. Layer clothes, electronics, then clothes again inside a carry-on so the TSA agent can quickly see what's in there. This strategy also works better than the cram-everything-in-your-bag strategy once your unpack at your destination.

Get the rest of the tips after the jump.

What Makes a Laptop Bag or Sleeve Airport Security-Friendly?

Kristen Hawley — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 07:30:15 PST

As reader suziryder pointed out, certain laptop sleeves are TSA-approved to head through the airport security X-ray scanner with your laptop still inside. And when you're packing a carry-on full of tech, a TSA-approved sleeve could save you precious time as you approach the security checkpoint.

Wondering which models are TSA-approved? Check out a list of characteristics of checkpoint-friendly bags after the break.

Does Invasive Airport Security Bother You?

Annie Scudder — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:58:59 PST

At 65 airports around the country, travelers are getting naked without taking off their clothes thanks to new X-ray scanners. As you may have heard or experienced yourself, passengers and pilots alike are randomly selected to pass through the machines, which display a graphic photo, genitalia and all, to an agent located in another room. If you want to pass, you're subjected to a pat-down that hopes to accomplish the same thing - so you can bet it's invasive. Since the more aggressive pat-downs started three weeks ago, there have been reports of TSA agents making inappropriate comments, and one traveler told The New York Times, "I didn't really expect her to touch my vagina through my pants." She was subjected to the search after the X-ray machine detected a tissue and hairband in her pocket.

According to the TSA's blog (yes, it has a blog, and a blogroll), the media has exaggerated the problem. It says the pat-down, performed by a same-gender agent, is thorough, not invasive, and that a relatively small number of fliers complain. As for the "naked" scanners, the TSA assures the public that your face is obscured and employees are forbidden to save images or pass them on. But these promises of privacy are only as legit as the people who implement them. And after photos from similar scanners leaked this week, there's reason for concern.

If the idea of naked, yet anonymous, body scans floating around the Internet doesn't bother you, there might be another reason to skip the scanner and opt for the pat-down. Some scientists now warn that the X-rays could pose health risks. But then you're left with the option of a potentially humiliating pat-down. If you want to see what the frisk is like, Nov. 24 is National Opt-Out Day, which encourages people to refuse the scanner.

If you're traveling this Winter holiday, will the new security measures put a damper on your holiday cheer? One thing is for sure, lines aren't getting any shorter.

Loopt Gets Grabby With "Touched by TSA" Giveaway

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 01:47:44 PST

Traveling somewhere this holiday? If you're choosing to fly, you should head out a little earlier than usual - security lines are expected to be long, especially with the impending "National Opt-Out Day" on Nov. 24, which asks that fliers refuse the (sometimes revealing, but always controversial) full body scan and instead request a pat-down from a friendly TSA agent.

Why should you opt out? For one, you could win something. Find out more about the fun and lighthearted giveaway after the break.

Airport Security Is Not the Time to Recruit Vegans

Colleen Barrett — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:10:30 PDT

Two things that should never be sexed up are animal rights and airport security, but here we are. PETA's latest aggressive ad is of a woman's body in a bra and underwear, saying "Be proud of your body scan: go vegan." This makes two assumptions: first, deep down we care what TSA employees think of our bodies, and that fear is enough to change dietary habits.

Fortunately, New York's LaGuardia and JFK airports are grounding the idea. They rejected the ad, prohibiting its placement near airport body scanners. JCDecaux North America, the company in charge of the airports' advertising, says the decision is based on the company's policy against "nudity or political ads," not because it's that risqué.

I wouldn't say it's risqué either, but just a gross exploitation of two things that should never meet but have: body image and airport security.

TSA Tests Jenna Elfman's Breast Milk: OK or Asinine?

LilSugar — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 06:00:16 PDT

No substance (even a mom's milk) gets waved through airport security these days. Actress Jenna Elfman was traveling with her 4-month-old son, Easton, yesterday when she had to hand over the babe's food. JennaOnPurpose tweeted:

Going thru security at airport & TSA really felt the need to "vapor test" the bottle of breast milk. I mean, is there no common sense left?

As a mom do you think this incident can be chalked up to security regulations or do you think it's ridiculous?

Cells Used to Estimate Security Wait Times: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 05:47:26 PDT

One of my favorite features about Google Maps is the traffic feature. I can't tell you how many hours I've avoided being stuck on the freeway because of its brilliance. So if you could get that kind of advance notice on what the current wait time is at your airport security checkpoint, would you want it? How about if getting that kind of data meant recording your cell phones' serial number when you enter and clear the checkpoints in order to get accurate wait times?

That's exactly what happened during a TSA mandated test-run of the Google Maps-like program at the Indianapolis International Airport last year. Whether you realize it or not, your cell phone broadcasts your serial number every 20 seconds or so when turned on. So when researchers at Purdue University placed a small receiver at the entrance of the airport's security checkpoint, they could see exactly how long it took for passengers to enter and exit the security line. Seems simple enough, right? Question is: do you really want government agents knowing your every move while at the airport (or anywhere else one of these receivers can be placed)? It comes down to privacy over convenience. So tell me - do you love this idea, or would you rather leave it?

Source: Flickr user dan paluska

I'd Rather Not Fly Than Go Naked

TresSugar — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:15:33 PST

Two women who would rather not disrobe for new airport security measures recently had to abandon travel plans. Last month while traveling through the Manchester Airport, these passengers passed through security and refused to undergo mandatory screening using new body scanning X-rays that leave little to the imagination.

Obviously, there are privacy concerns for passengers who'd rather not let it all hang out on a jaunt through airport security, but with safety in mind, security personnel also assure passengers that there are "strict procedures to reassure them that their privacy will be protected." Still, for these two women, who were randomly selected for the body scan, being exposed was not an option - one refused the X-ray on religious grounds and the other cited health reasons. Regardless of their reasoning, options are slim: get scanned or go home. These two opted for the latter.

To be clear, US airports offer an alternative to this more invasive kind of security scanning, and passengers can opt for a body search instead. What's your take on the new security measures?

Another Reason to Work Out: Whole Body Scanners

FitSugar — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:00:01 PST

If you're traveling this weekend, you may wish you'd made your New Year's resolution a little early. Already, 19 US airports have received whole-body imaging machines that can detect dangerous items under clothing or hidden in places where security screeners aren't allowed to touch. Aside from explosives, weapons, and your private parts, the security personnel will have full view of any saddlebags and spare tires.

Many passengers, some members of Congress, and the American Civil Liberties Union are opposed to the imaging machines because the scans are so revealing. One woman said, "I am going to take issue with people being able to look at my children's bodies and my body." Another traveler said, "It's not like you're taking a picture and posting it on the Internet or selling it in a magazine. It's just a scan that lasts for 10 seconds."

When it comes to our safety, are these imaging machines a must, or do you think they infringe too much on our right to keep what's under our clothes private?

January Jones Goes Mad For Macs at LAX

GeekSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:06:09 PST

I'm so used to seeing the cast of Mad Men interact with such awesome vintage tech that I almost didn't recognize January Jones in her natural state (you know, not as Betty Draper), and toting a laptop as she went through LAX security on Sunday. The amazing season finale of Mad Men was packed with lots of retro typewriters, phones, and office tech, but January takes it to the 21st-century off set with her shiny new MacBook Pro - a powerful alternative to the MacBook Air I'd wire her with.

Unfortunately, we have to wait until next year to see what's next on the Mad Men tech horizon, but in real life, a girl's gotta stay connected - even if her day job is to play a woman who doesn't know what a cell phone is . . . yet!