Skooba Checkthrough Messenger Review

A good travel bag is one that you don't notice. It slides easily under a seat or into the overhead compartment. It doesn't set off red alerts in the security checkpoint line. The Skooba Checkthrough Messenger bag does all of these things and does it with simple, quiet style.

<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> </xml><![endif]--> <style><!-- --></style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <mce:style><! /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} --> <!--[endif]-->Specifications:

• Overall Size: 17"L x 13"H x 5.5"D
• Laptop section interior: 16" x 11" x 1.5"
• Material: 1680 Denier Ballistic exterior, nylon interior.
• Hardware and trim: Brushed nickel-finished metalhardware throughout, rubber bottom treads.
• Weight: 40 oz.
• MSRP: $129.95

Build and Design
The Checkthrough bag is sturdy. The ballistic nylon exterior definitely inspires confidence that everything inside of the bag is well-protected. The brushed metal hardware is solid and contributes to an overall industrial-chic look.

The Skooba Checkthrough bag is designed to meet the TSA guidelines for a checkpoint friendly bag, meaning that a laptop can remain inside the bag all the way through the security checkpoint. A dedicated laptop compartment offers security officials a clear x-ray image of the computer inside of the bag. The Skooba bag unzips from both sides of the handle, making it easy to pick up and carry once it's been through an X-ray machine.

A large interior compartment and smaller exterior compartment make up the rest of this bag's considerable bulk. You'll find the usual pockets for gadgets, pens and business cards in the exterior compartment, as well as a clear plastic pouch for regulation-sized liquids.

Performance
As good as a bag may look, the real moment of truth is at the TSA security checkpoint, and the Skooba Checkthrough bag stood up to the test. I was never asked to take my laptop out of the bag on three trips through three different security lines. On paper, it doesn't seem like much of time-saver. Taking a computer out of a bag isn't a difficult task, but there's something wonderful about removing one extra step from the process that stands between you and your gate.

After the trial by X-ray machine, the Checkthrough Messenger bag continued to perform well. It slides easily into that all-important space underneath an airplane seat. The padded shoulder strap is comfortable, and so is the handle. Even the zippers are designed in an S-shape, giving them a nice feel between the forefinger and thumb. (I liked them so much, they've been affectionately termed "zipper dimples" and I want them on every bag I own.) Anything that makes a trip a little more comfortable and a little more worry-free is a good investment in my book.

My only gripe with the Checkthrough Messenger is the plastic buckle that keeps the front flap secure over the bag's exterior pocket. It fits just a bit tight, and I needed two hands to squeeze it open and close it. It's a rare occasion when a traveler has two hands free to finagle a bag closure. Of course, this is a small complaint, and it won't hurt to leave the flap unbuckled for easier access to the front compartment.

Conclusion
Almost everything about the Skooba Checkthrough bag seems to have been well thought out and designed. From the ballistic nylon exterior down to the brushed-nickel hardware, this is a reliable bag that's easy to forget about on a long trip.

Pros:

• Solid hardware and sturdy overall build
• Comfortable shoulder strap and handle
• Checkpoint friendly bag design

Cons:

• Plastic buckle is tricky
• Slightly bulkier than bags that aren't TSA compliant
• TSA still reserves right to have laptop removed from bag

 

Thanks for the review, thats a nice look bag. After seeing all these check point friendly bags, I really don't think they safe time, but rather, it gives people a peace of mind that they can have their notebook scanned without having to removing it and placing it on a tray.

I do find it alittle expensive to pay $129 for a bag that uses the heavier but cheaper 1680d ballistic nylon.

 

yeah well when someone knocks the tray off the belt (not an employee another person taking their stuff off grrrrrrrrr) you will wish it was at least inside a bag. they killed my fl92 i used to have this way needed a new screen and hdd besides getting all scratched and nicked up. guy was a idiot. he was like opps sorry.... jerk

 

Thank you for the review, Allison.

I personally appreciate the "checkpoint-friendly" laptop bags as it does bring convenience to an already hustling and bustling environment at the airport. It would be very nice to see if and when these checkpoint-friendly bags become the standard for air travel as this can significantly decrease the waiting time and frustration in the security lines.

 

Allison got lucky with the TSA folks being competent, a guy in front of me on a flight last week had a checkpoint friendly bag and he didn't take his laptop out, just opened the bag as you're supposed to, he was immediately told to take it out and he then argued the fact it was a checkpoint friendly bag. Confusion ensued and 3 minutes later he was allowed to put it through in the bag. It would have been 20 times faster if he'd taken it out.

 

That's really unfortunate that not all TSA agents are properly trained. It can certainly add frustration to any air traveler when an agent is incompetent and lacks the knowledge for the job, but I can only imagine situations like these will become less of a commonplace as time passes and when more security friendly bags start to flood the market.

Was this at Logan airport by any chance?

 

Can the TSA really tell from xrays if the laptop has been tampered with ?
There are many laptops that have metal alloy lids and metal alloy chassis.
Can an Xray really give a true picture after going through two layers of metal ?

 

The only place there is such a thing as a TSA-friendly case is in the USA.

We went through security at Zurich Switzerland's Kloten airport on Wednesday. They insist you take out your laptop from it's TSA-approved case for x-ray as well as x-raying things that have cables like charges, mice, CAT-5 cables, etc., very thoroughly. They even had my wife take out a plastic baggie with her crochet stuff in it to x-ray the crochet hooks.

It is my experience that airport screening is a lot more thorough in places like Frankfurt, Zurich and Brussels compared to Chicago, Lost Wages, Newark, JFK, Orlando. etc.

 

Add Canada to the list as well. I went through their security checkpoint in Toronto Pearson with my checkpoint-friendly bag and it was smooth sailing all the way.