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TSA works to clear MacBook Air for flight

by Scott McNulty Mar 11th 2008 at 7:30PM



You may recall that MacBook Air user Michael Nygard was recently screened by the TSA (that's the Transportation Security Administration, to those who aren't in the US.) when he went through security with his MacBook Air. It would seem that the good folks manning the X-ray machine couldn't make heads or tail of what they saw on their screen. When Nygard explained that the MacBook Air was, in fact, a computer (and had that assertion backed up by a younger TSA worker) all was cleared up and he was sent on his merry way (though he did miss his flight).

The TSA is working hard to make sure you don't have to deal with this hassle. On the official TSA blog (yes, the TSA has a blog and it is pretty entertaining) Bob informs us now that he is working with Apple to get his hands on a MacBook Air (hey, Bob, just make sure you don't throw it out) for some testing. He wants to run it through one of their screening machines and see if it looks any different than normal laptops. If it does, in fact, look a little odd the image will be sent to all TSA workers in airports so that future travelers won't be bothered.

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Odds and ends Apple MacBook Air

You may recall that MacBook Air user Michael Nygard was recently screened by the TSA (that's the Transportation Security Administration, to...
 

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Hans Taktmann

Bob is cool. He would make for a good MBA ad guy: the MBA never looked slimmer . . .

Also, I appreciate the TSA provided soundscape: this kind of undefined threat-drone in the background . . .

I SO want a MBA (w/ SSD, of course -- I dont want to trouble the TSA, again).

March 25 2008 at 2:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
J

Happle and Mark:

I'm all for grumbling about TSA workers - and even bashing them, even though it's the TSA and not necessarily them - but knocking them because they're in a different socio-economic class? You're right - I'm sure it was their dream job. Not everybody has the luxury of making choices they want. Did you want that job? Are you the "smart" person they should have hired?

Some people have to take the job they can get, and it's not because they're inherently dumb or stupid. Not everybody has the luxury of computers at home or to navel gaze at the stuff they got to consume in the last year, they have families or extended families to support.

March 13 2008 at 4:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
krye

Funny how their previous blog entry is titled "How Intelligence Drives Operations at TSA".

March 12 2008 at 8:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ex-Newt

TSA - always on top of their game...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/opusmark/2193927570/

photo of utility knife that I accidently breezed through security with...

Although truth be told the TSA was preoccupied as the old duffer in front of me had a 2" Swiss Army Knife on his keychain.

March 12 2008 at 4:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Adrian vG

In Europe we are made to put our laptops with the lid open in a separate box. I wonder who will have the most problems.

March 12 2008 at 3:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Adrian vG's comment
Hoggie

I'm still waiting for the first Air user to depart Tel Aviv - where they (from memory) insist on you taking out the Battery........ ;)

March 12 2008 at 3:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
frank d

That must be fairly new.

I have flown dozens of times in Europe, international and I never even had to take my laptop out of my laptop bag. Let alone open it up, boot it, remove battery etc.

In stark contrast with the US where you can't even have a tiny protective sleeve around your $3 k laptop. Not even one that's mostly transparant, pure plastic & spandex.

Can't keep your laptop from getting scratched by those TSA bins that are smashing together at the end of the belt while you're help up because the person in front of you has key or pen in their pocket.

March 12 2008 at 8:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mark

Amen brother!

Gee, is the pay good at TSA? It doesn't seem like you need a brain or intelligence or even a vague awareness of society to work there. These people must all live in barren studio apartments without access to radio, tv or a newspaper.

March 12 2008 at 12:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
happle

Isn't it interesting..... that as a society.......we put our dumbest people....... in our most crucial jobs.......

March 11 2008 at 11:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to happle's comment
Ciarin

Passengers are by far the dumbest of the dumb.

May 17 2008 at 12:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Derek Jamison

I just passed through TSA in Puerto Rico with my Air. I was waiting for my stuff when I realized the Air was missing. I looked back and saw the entire staff (it was a small terminal) gawking at it. I opened it to audible 'oohs' before letting everyone pass it around. "Did you buy that in the states?" Yes. Yes I did. Now THAT is how you react to the Air for the first time.

March 11 2008 at 11:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
William Brawley

haha, anyone read the title of that TSA blog post? - "Apple MacBook Air’s are Cleared for Takeoff ". The popular assumption of dumb TSA people is illustrated in their own blog. Someone need to review English grammar.

March 11 2008 at 9:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to William Brawley's comment
Slartibartfast

This actually happened to me with my iPhone, yes the iPhone, a few months ago also at Oakland. All the while, my sidearm, ammo, duty belt all breezed through in my checked bag. Didn't miss my flight, but gave me an additional 20 minutes while they were completely confused by the iPhone.

March 11 2008 at 9:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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