I don’t know about you but I absolutely HATE going through airport security. It doesn’t matter where I am in the world or at which airport, going through airport security is always a major hassle since I carry a lot of electronics, gadgets and accessories with me. It’s bad enough that I have to arrive at the airport several hours earlier, now the airport screening line up is always long and eats up a huge chunk of my time. The security personnel always scrutinize everything in my pockets, bags, etc. I’m always worried about having any of my belongings out of sight when going through security so I was so relieved to have taken advantage of a recent 50% off sale at SkoobaDesign. I wanted their Checkthrough Brief Laptop Bag because I always hate going through airport security and with a bag where I can keep the laptop with the rest of the bag while it goes through the x-ray machine, I can be assured that it’s less likely someone will walk off with it.

SkoobaDesign’s Checkthrough Brief Laptop Bag is a specially designed laptop bag that not only has various pockets and compartments to store all your computer accessories and gadgets but it can also allow you to keep the laptop in the bag and still go through security without a hassle. How’s that possible? Let’s take a look.

The bag has a special compartment where you can fit your laptop inside, easily accessible via zippers at the top when you need it, but when going through security, there’s also a set of zippers that you can unzip all around the side and bottom of the bag that enables you to put your laptop flat on the x-ray machine’s conveyor belt yet still attached to the rest of the Checkthrough Brief laptop bag. This eliminates the hassle of having to remove your laptop from the bag and place it on the plastic bin as you’d normally do. This special design allows the laptop to go through the x-ray machine completely flat and unobstructed so that it can be screened yet still be fully attached to the rest of the laptop bag. How ingenious!

Overall, the bag looks similar to the typical laptop briefcase bags with its rectangular shape and handle at the top with supplied shoulder carrying straps. There’s about 20 pockets in the bag with an internal divider to separate the main compartment from the flap. You can easily slip the bag over and onto the extended handles of a rolling carry on luggage and lessen the load off your shoulders while navigating around the airport terminal. It is simply a well designed laptop bag that makes traveling so much easier.

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SkoobaDesign’s Checkthrough Brief Laptop Bag is very much many briefcase styled bags with its rectangular short height, long length shape with handle at the top. The bag is styled with layers of pockets, compartments to keep everything organized yet space saving. At the outer layer, there’s a pair of slightly bulging outer half length pockets on the front with slits to adjust for bigger items. Underneath the bulging outer pockets are double zippered pockets with elasticized holders for pens and other items at one side and mesh pockets on the other. Inside one of the pockets is a transparent flat zippered bag meant to hold liquids. The next layer under the pair of pockets is a curved zippered document pocket/compartment to hold flat items like documents, folders and portfolios. There are three shallow nylon pockets and a key clip inside. Underneath the document compartment is the main part of the bag. It’s double zippered and opens along the bottom of one side, up the top and around to the other side. Once fully unzippered, the flap will open up to a certain angle, held on by side folds that are attached to both the rest of the bag and the flap. This allows for easy access to accessories without spilling out all the contents, great for tight areas such as on cramped airline seating area.

At the flap side, at the top, there are four half length elaticized holders, meant to hold small items like pens, batteries, etc. At the bottom, there are a pair of zippered mesh pockets. On the other side is a full compartment divider. There is a velcro tab that extends from the inside of the top of the bag that attaches to the top of the divider. There are three mesh pockets, two half length and one full length with an elastic top that helps hold items inside. Going past the divider flap is the main bag compartment, meant to hold larger items or a collection of them. If you feel along the inside lower right corner of the compartment, you’ll find a zipper that runs all along the inside up and around the other side. You may be able to use this special “secret” area for very tiny items and feel like a special Secret Agent. ;

Venturing back out of the bag, you’ll notice the bag handle which has soft foam along the sides, which helps make it comfortable when carrying the bag. At the opposite ends of the bag are carrying strap rings. You can opt to snap on the supplied adjustable carrying straps with padded mesh which softens the load of the bag when slung over the shoulder or carry the bag without them. On the left side there’s a luggage tag/ID which is held on the bag by elasticized bands. Pull on the ID tab to show your luggage ID info and let it go to allow it to pull back in. Very handy.

Continuing on, there’s the laptop compartment area with double zipper which opens half way on both sides for easy insertion and removal. Inside, on the inner side is a transparent plastic window which is meant to “show” the top of the laptop when placed on the x-ray conveyor belt. We will discuss how the whole process works later.

At the back, or the other side of the bag is a strip of sewn in velcro strap, to help secure the bag on the extended handle of a rolling carry on luggage. Simply separate the velcro strap and slip the bag on the carrying handle and secure it. Your bag is now on the rolling luggage and won’t slide when you’re rolling it around the airport terminal.

Now, we’re at the main feature or focus of the bag: the special design of the laptop compartment. As mentioned, the laptop is fitted inside with the top of the laptop facing the window side. Ensure that you do not place any items in this same compartment as it is meant only for the laptop or you may be asked to remove the laptop and scan it individually as normal.

When you’re at the security x-ray checkpoint, locate double zipper that opens up and separates the bag and laptop compartment and start unzipping the entire laptop compartment. That means, unzipping it all around the bottom up to the top of the sides so that when carrying the bag by the handle, you can see two separate parts connected together via the top but may flip flap when swung. Lay the laptop compartment on the x-ray conveyor belt with the window side up and the rest of the bag behind it. So what you end up doing is opening up the bag fr om the bottom so that you’re putting down the laptop compartment first (or last) on the conveyor belt and then the rest of the bag right after it. The laptop will still be individually scanned as if it were by itself on a plastic bin but it’s still attached to the rest of the laptop bag for personal security concerns.

As you can see, this is a great design that will make going through security checkpoints a breeze! This elminates the need to unzip and remove the laptop and place on the plastic bin and having to put it back in once you’re through. This is certainly not only time saving but also makes it almost stress free (well, almost). This is exactly the reason why I got the bag, so that I can go through security checkpoints without the hassle.

Specs and Details

Overview

The patent-pending Checkthrough® Bag looks and functions like a high-end business case, but is designed and rigorously-tested to be “checkpoint-friendly,” so you can run it through airport x-ray screening without removing your computer.*

The checkpoint friendly bag opens and hinges in the middle to separate and isolate the laptop compartment from the rest of the bag. For initial, immediate visual reference, the laptop can be seen by the inspector through a clear, quick-recognition window that is exposed when the bag is unfolded. With the window facing up, the bag is sent through x-ray screening. The design of the laptop compartment is such that the image presented to the screener is the same as if the laptop were removed and placed in a bin. The Checkthrough bag and all of its contents can be carried securely with or without the hinge zipped shut, so it can be readied in line, prior to screening. Once through, the traveler can simply pick up the bag and go, zipping it back up on the move or at the gate.

*It is the intention and expectation of all involved in the “checkpoint-friendly” bag program that once fully implemented, the process will move smoothly and that suitably designed and constructed bags, properly packed and used, will move through the system efficiently as planned. However, in all instances, screening personnel always have the right to require laptop removal, secondary screening, or any other measures deemed necessary to ensure travel security.

Click here to watch the Checkthrough video

For additional information on the TSA Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bag initiative, click here

Full Specs

Designed primarily to hold all 15/15.4 inch laptops, but many 16 inch and compact/slim 17 inch models will fit. Laptop section interior is 16” x 11” x 1.5” (for reference, a 17” Macbook Pro measures 15.4 x 10.4 x 1”)

Divided folder/file section, cargo pockets for metal detector items and allowable liquid (“3-1-1”) bags, and more.

Checkpoint friendly bag unzips in the center, unfolds and exposes laptop section below patent-pending quick-recognition window. Security screener gets instant visual confirmation of contents, as added “checkpoint-friendly” reinforcement.

Designed to “re-fold” just by picking the bag up by the handle or strap at the end of security process. The Checkthrough bag is equally secure whether the inspection zipper is open or closed, so the traveler can leave security, carry the bag safely and re-zip when convenient.

Approximately 20 pockets, compartments and organizers in all, including easy-access Doc-pocket™ for boarding pass and passport, pop-out/no-snag hideaway ID holder, and much more.

Includes durable, zippered clear pouch for allowable liquid bottles. Pouch designed to fit perfectly in front cargo pocket for instant access and removal for inspection.

Padded shoulder strap included

Primary materials: 1680 Denier Ballistic exterior, smooth nylon interior, All materials water-repellant.

Hardware and trim: Brushed nickel-finished metal hardware throughout, self-repairing zippers, rubber bottom treads.

Overall Size: 17″L x 13″H x 7.5″D.

Weight: 48 oz.

Pictures of SkoobaDesign’s Checkthrough Brief

Click on the thumbnail images for a bigger picture

Slideshow of the above pictures

Product Video

Checkthrough Brief review video at YouTube

Here are my observations:

I Liked:

Lots of pockets for storage

I LOVE pockets. I can never get enough pockets so I am very happy that the Checkpoint Brief has lots of pockets.

Velcro keeps bag in place on the rolling luggage handle

I really like how the bag has velcro straps at the back to secure it on the extended rolling luggage handle. This allows me to carry the bag on top of the rolling luggage and not worry about the bag flip flopping on the handle.

Special Checkthrough laptop compartment for quick and stress free screening

The main feature of this bag is the special design that enables and satisfies security checkpoint x-ray requirement while keeping the laptop inside and attached to the rest of the bag, preventing someone from taking the laptop as they’ll need to take the entire bag. This also helps speed up the process as you won’t need to remove the laptop from the bag, place on the plastic bin and retrieve and put back into bag.

I Didn’t Like:

Document compartment not double zippered

Since most of the bag that has zippers are double zippered, I was a bit disappointed that the document compartment wasn’t double zippered. This is a very minor issue, however.

Document compartment curved and not rectangular

I also disliked the curved zipper of the document compartment as it required me to manipulate and somewhat fold my document to ensure it will fit inside the bag. I would have preferred if it were less curved at the sides and more rectangular (or even if the zippered opening were even bigger) so that it would be easier to fit a document or portfolio without spending some time to ensure that it will fit under the fold.

Pockets in Document compartment too shallow

The pockets inside the document compartment seem a bit shallow. I would have preferred if they were deeper or at least offered another row of pockets underneath so that I can try to fit something that will need the deeper pockets (ie. ruler, pamphlets, business envelope, etc.) Instead, I’d have to put it in the same compartment as the document or portfolio. Again, this is a very minor issue.

Overall, I have no major issues with SkoobaDesign’s Checkthrough Brief Laptop Bag as it is very well designed. It obviously looks like a lot of thought and design went into this bag.

Review Summary

SkoobaDesign’s Checkthrough Brief Laptop Bag is a very well designed briefcase style laptop bag that not only offers a host of pockets to store all your gadgets, accessories and items, but also has a special patented design that allows you to go through airport checkpoint security quickly without requiring to remove your laptop. This can shave minutes off the time you spend at security checkpoints, which, may make the difference between making that flight or missing it. The soft carrying handle, the back velcro straps that help secure the bag on your rolling luggage handle, multiple separate compartments and pockets and comfortable adjustable mesh carrying straps all make this an exceptional traveling laptop bag.

Unfortunately, it seems that Canadian checkpoint personnel from CATSA, GARDA and others don’t know about these checkpoint friendly bag and still INSIST on making me remove my laptop. Rather than save time by allowing the bag to go through smoothly and quickly without any hitches, they are wasting time and adding to the line up. Hey, I paid good money for the bag to avoid this hassle. Grrr.

Well, shortly after I’ve got the Checkthrough Brief Laptop Bag, SkoobaDesign came out with their Checkthrough Roller Bag and Checkthrough Laptop Bag! Oh boy! Now there’s some even better designed checkpoint friendly bags to tempt me! Groan.

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