Flying with Kindle
This is a bit of travel nerdery that I thought might be worth sharing. Last week the TSA blog explained the agency’s position on netbooks, e-readers and the such:
Electronic items smaller than the standard sized laptop should not need to be removed from your bag or their cases. It’s that simple.
First thing, the TSA has a blog?!?!? Second, they go one to explain that the more cluttered your bag is, the more it will need to be emptied (something I experienced this week coming home from Charlotte where I was told I “had too much stuff”). For what it’s worth, I feel like I should print this out and present it to TSA agents when I’m told I must always take out my Kindle … though I can’t imagine that would help matters.
Hi, I'm 
Interesting. A few weeks ago I put my Kindle on top of my laptop in a tray and they asked to re-run them both separately because they couldn’t get a clear image of each–the stacked circuit boards/electronic guys are what cause the problems, methinks.
Their blog post was in response to the iPad, right?
TSA with a blog. Who knew?
But, right: having now fondled the iPad & craving one badly, I realize it will be one more expensive investment (stuff) to trust to the wonderful folks in the security check. Then, assuming it comes out in one piece, you have to keep hoping you don’t get jostled by the wrong person rushing to get their shoes/belt/hat/coat/backbag back on to make their flight.
By they way, Memphis, my hometown, has THE toughest security standards I’ve experienced yet (U.S.A). They made me empty every major piece from my camera bag & then one of their people put the items en masse & unprotected into a single bin — result: later discovery of one damaged $1,500 lens. Thank u very much.
Exactly what you said. The TSA has a blog?!!!! Also good to know that sleeves are checkpoint-friendly. To be honest though I don’t think they’ll care – some staff are just ignorant, sadly.
i’m actually shocked. i was told my kindle is a computer and that precisely because of its size (it’s not the big one) it had to come out of the bag. i assumed there was some dividing line form factor between iPhone and MacBook, but apparently whatever that is, was supposed to be smaller than a kindle.
of course i once nearly missed a flight because an errant ikea allen wrench was in my timbuk2 bag, and the TSA just had to get a look at it.