TSA love for the iPad, readers, netbooks

This should add to the iPad user smugness quotient: The TSA says it’s so special that it can stay in carry-on bags for screening at security checkpoints. This a nice plus, I must say.

This just in - it’s not just iPads. I quote the TSA blog:

E-readers, Net Books and other small gadgets are becoming more and more popular for travelers to bring along in their carry-ons. (iPads, Kindles™, Neos, Nooks™, Sony® Readers™ etc.)

Not only are they essential to those who need to stay connected and work or study on the go, but they are also fantastic time killers, which makes these gadgets extremely popular carry-on items. I’ve read many a post from people wondering if these items should be treated like a laptop and removed from their carry-on bags for checkpoint screening.

Great question! Electronic items smaller than the standard sized laptop should not need to be removed from your bag or their cases. It’s that simple.

Probably not that simple, based on our experience. Expect this to be an evolving policy, meaning many TSA employees will NOT have heard about it the first time you try to go through.

Update on April 7, 2010 by Frank@OBOW

This policy does not yet appear on the main TSA website - only the blog. Don’t be surprised if the blueshirts howl when you try to slide your netbook through…

Comments

[High Roller]

I haven't even found the TSA to reliably allow me to use my supposedly "checkpoint friendly" laptop case yet... I'll believe this when I see it, but if it does come to be-- I'll probably end up getting an iPad, even though I initially thought I'd have no use for it.