Honestly the rest of the bag is a moot point, really. It has a dedicated shoes compartment and a notebook sleeve. That’s all I need to know. However, I should mention that the Weekend Warrior is part of Skooba’s just-released Techlife line and retails for $125.

Short Version: It’s a backpack with a window in it so the TSA people won’t hassle you at the security checkpoint. Given the high price and issues with the shoulder straps, I’d recommend caution if you are considering this bag.

Features:

• Holds up to a 17-inch notebook
• Easy Access “Doc-Pocket” for airline tickets, passport, transit pass, etc.
• Interior organizer for cords, power adapters, and peripherals
• $129.95
• Product Page

Pros:

• Easy to open, Checkthrough system looks like a laptop in a bin
• Interior organizer is laid out nicely

Cons:

• Shoulder straps too thin
• Lacks straps to provide additional load support

Review:
With all of the additional TSA checkpoints now, being a business traveler really sucks. You have to take off your shoes, put your carry-on in one bin, any electronics in another, and it’s generally just a hassle. Skooba (along with many others) has tried to make this process slightly less annoying.

The Checkthrough Backpack is an example of this, using a clamshell design to hold your laptop on one side (with a clear plastic window), and the rest of your valuable electronics on the other. This makes the ideal design for getting through the TSA checkpoint as quickly as possible. Unless of course, you’re lucky enough to be randomly selected or they’re not sure what’s in the non-laptop side of your bag. Part of the idea of the Checkthrough system is that the laptop side of the clamshell looks exactly like a TSA checkpoint bin. This does not mean that you’ll never be searched, since the bag includes a disclaimer stating that the TSA can request a closer look no matter what bag you are using.

So the Checkthrough part is good, what about the rest of it? Well, the interior is fairly spacious, but I wouldn’t expect to use it as an overnight bag and a laptop bag. The interior organizer takes up a fair amount of room and depending on the number of peripheral gear you carry, there may not be enough space for a couple of pairs of pants and some shirts. The other issue is if you load it up with a bunch of weight, you’re going to kill your shoulders. The straps just aren’t wide enough, and the lack of a chest strap or waist strap means all of the weight will be on your shoulders, and those circulation cutting shoulder straps.

Conclusion: The Skooba Checkthrough backpack isn’t a bad bag. The TSA friendly part is really well thought out, but the rest of the bag does let it down a bit. Because of the amount of space in the bag it would be really easy to put too much weight in, which would try and cut off your arms as you walked to the terminal. With a little more planning and some better strapping, this bag could be great.

Check out the complete Bag Week Review Blitz here.

Due to overwhelming demand, Skooba has opened the floodgates to the Checkpoint laptop bag that will make security lines a breeze. They’re still eight weeks out from shipping (early October), but they want you to pre-order now for $125.95 with free UPS ground shipping. To qualify for the 10 percent discount you have to submit your order by September 26th. You can download the pre-order form here (PDF) or check out the site for more details.

More news on the approaching possibility of keeping your laptop in a case while breezing through airport security. Along with bag-maker Skooba Design’s “beautiful prototypes, patents and trademarks pending,” they also posted a photo of a new security-friendly laptop case prototype for the new line, and they expect to have models available in time for the back to school/fall/holiday season.

The Transportation Security Administration says it has been working with luggage manufactures to create checkpoint friendly bags, which will allow travelers to keep laptops in their cases while slogging through security lines. TSA chief Kip Hawley told USA Today, that they should be in a position in a couple of months to allow people with the ‘right’ kinds of bags to leave electronics in them for scanning.

As shown, the new cases will unfold and when placed flat on the X-ray belt, screeners should be able to see the laptop inside as easily as when it was in a security bin all by itself.

While Skooba CEO Michael Hess, thinks security friendly bags, “could be huge,” I’m guessing it’ll take a bit longer than anyone hopes for this hot new development to have much an impact on security line wait times.

Skooba also has this flashy (if grainy) promotional video.
skooba\'s promotional video

Anyone that’s traveled with their laptop knows what a pain in the ass security is because you’re required to take out your laptop when going through the x-ray machine. I despise it and I travel quite often and it’s slowly becoming the bane of my existence. Maybe I’m being dramatic, but I think we can all agree that it’s an annoying process.

Targus and Skooba, among others, have heard our plight and they’re looking to cash-in. Both companies are currently working on prototype “checkpoint-friendly” cases that the TSA is currently testing. No word on when these bags will hit the market, but you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be waiting for one.