LuvToTakeTrips

I read an article in this past Sunday's LA Times about a bag called the Sparrow Wheeled Garment Bag. Supposedly, you don't have to take your laptop out of it at airport checkpoints because of the design. Does anyone have this bag and can you tell me if you really got through TSA without unloading everything? They say that you can just send the whole bag through the scanner. If this is true, I am so buying it for my trip over the holidays. Does anyone have any experience with this bag? Thanks!

Jean

"Supposedly, you don't have to take your laptop out of it at airport checkpoints because of the design."

IMO, TSA (and international) rules are still very randomly observed, and whether you'd have to unload everything or not is a guess. On a recent international trip, when departing LAX we had to switch on our laptop and phones, so we had to remove them. Making a connection at CDG, we had to switch on the laptop, phones and a tablet, so removed them again. On the return (from Bologna, connecting at CDG), they didn't ask to see anything. Nevertheless, the Sparrow would probably make it easier. Note it can accommodate laptop sizes only up to 15".

janisj

If you have TSA pre check you don't need to take things (including the liquids) out of any bag.

janisj

I just looked up the article -- You need to send it down the conveyor belt completely open.

Jean

Even with TSA Pre-Check (and Global Access), you can be randomly selected for more screening.

On our recent trip, even with Pre-Check and Global Access, we were required to remove our shoes at LAX in addition to pulling devices out. At CDG, we kept our shoes on but had to remove the liquids and show all devices. We saw passengers being pulled out of line for additional screening before board (including devices), and it looked random.

TSA Pre-Check is not available on every airline (esp. not foreign-based carriers) at every U.S. airport and not always on a 24/7 basis.

From the TSA website:

"TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual will be guaranteed expedited screening in order to retain a certain element of randomness."

With all that randomness at play, if you do have to pull out your laptop, this bag does seem like it would be easy to do.

hetismij2

On our recent trip to the US we had to have the laptop and tablet out of the bag. We were never asked to turn anything on, not at AMS, LHR or SFO.
The laptop and tablet live in a special pocket designed for such things in the rucksack. No problem at all fishing them out for security.
As far as I can see the Sparrow has something similar. DJ's Samsonite carry-on bag he uses for business has something similar.

Sojourntraveller

"Supposedly, you don't have to take your laptop out of it at airport checkpoints because of the design."

Hilarious. As if the bag manufacturer can tell airport security personnel what they can and cannot do. You'll have to do whatever you are told to do, regardless of what bag you buy.

Yet another product designed to separate the gullible from their money for no good reason.

LuvToTakeTrips

FYI, I just found another article on the Sparrow and the writer says that she had total success at TSA with the bag. She said she just unzipped the electronics compartment, laid it flat so that all of her electronics were on display and sent the bag through the scanner while her cords and electronics were still protected and intact. I think this article was in Newsweek or Newsday or one of those. I am definitely leaning toward buying the Sparrow as no one has posted any negative experience and all I can find online about the bag is positive. WANT!

Sojourntraveller

Are you under the impression that the plural of anecdote is data LuvTo?

One person who had 'total success' means what? It means one person had success on one occassion. It does not mean every person will have success on every occassion.

I see nothing wrong with the bag and if you are in need of a new bag then fine go ahead and buy one. But do not expect that it will insure you hassle free travel every time. Believing that would be ridiculous. I have no doubt that while using it you are likely to find one day that you are required to take things out, turn them on, etc. just like everyone else on that day.

Buy a bag because you need one, not because you think it guarantees something it cannot.

LuvToTakeTrips

Hi Sojourn... Well, I think the amount of research I have done on the Sparrow, combined with the very fact that I came to this forum asking others for their personal experiences with the bag should have told you that I am not exactly a naive consumer who buys what I am told to buy by the advertisers or that I believe I am guaranteed a perfect trip every time, even when I use great, stress-relieving, well-designed, sturdy, convenient products. In fact, I am the queen of due diligence and have come to the conclusion that this is the best bag for my current needs. I have purchased the Sparrow online and it arrived 2 days later. It is absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to test-fly it at Thanksgiving and when I return, I'll let you all know if it all went as smoothly as it is supposed to go at TSA.

Sojourntraveller

Test fly it to where? I suggest you test fly it on a return flight from Columbia, South America or Thailand to the USA and see how it goes at CUSTOMS, not a family visit within the USA.