As of August 16, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is allowing passengers carrying checkpoint friendly bags to pass freely through airport security, without having to take their laptops out of the bags. This move is expected to significantly smoothen out the security process.

When the TSA announced it was looking for bag designs that would meet their list of specifications, about 60 manufacturers promptly responded and the Administration received 40 prototypes.

So far, the TSA has approved three different types of bags: the sleeve, the butterfly and the trifold design. All of them have an especially designed section for carrying laptops; there are no other pockets or metal zippers and buckles.

As the bag goes through the X-ray scanner, the laptop should be unobstructedly seen by airport personnel; however, there are chances that this won’t happen and then, the computer must be taken out and screened separately.

According to TSA statistics, about one third of air travelers fly with their laptops. As things are sometimes done in a hurry, some forget their computers at the checkpoints. Another problem is that taking the laptop out of the bag is a time consuming operation; although it is not much, in the crowded airports, where lots and lots of people go through this, the minutes pile up and, in the end, the other travelers are affected.

The range of prices for the checkpoint friendly bags is quite wide and starts at $45 and goes all the way to $199.